NFL Draft Spotlight: Lee Hunter Could Be the Run-Stuffer the Chiefs Have Been Missing
The Kansas City Chiefs aren't used to having this kind of offseason. No Super Bowl to prep for.
No AFC Championship to recover from. Instead, they’re knee-deep in staff changes and draft prep - and while that’s not what fans are used to in February, it might be exactly what this team needs long-term.
With more time to focus on the Senior Bowl and upcoming draft, Kansas City had a front-row seat to one of the week’s biggest risers: Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter. And if you’re looking for a reason to believe the Chiefs could finally address their interior defensive line with something more than a stopgap, Hunter might be it.
Let’s break down why Hunter’s name is climbing up draft boards - and why he could be a perfect fit in Kansas City’s defensive front.
A Run-Stopping Force the Chiefs Could Use
Let’s be honest: the Chiefs have been patching together the interior of their defensive line for a while now. Chris Jones is still the engine, but surrounding him with short-term veterans like Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. What they need is someone who can shift the math in the trenches - a true run-game disruptor who can hold his own and then some.
Enter Lee Hunter.
At 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, Hunter is built like a wrecking ball - low center of gravity, dense frame, and the kind of raw power that pops on tape. He’s not just clogging lanes; he’s blowing them up.
One-on-one blocks don’t stand a chance. Double teams?
He splits them or holds firm. There are plays where he wins so fast off the snap that the offense barely has time to react.
Calling him a “run defender” doesn’t quite do it justice. He’s a tone-setter.
Strength That Translates to More Than Just the Run Game
What makes Hunter particularly intriguing is that his impact isn’t limited to early downs. He’s not just a space-eater - he’s a pocket-pusher.
His strength at the point of attack is flat-out dominant. There are reps where he tosses interior linemen aside like they’re wearing roller skates.
That kind of power doesn’t just help in run defense - it creates opportunities for others. In 2025, his presence helped teammates David Bailey and Romello Height rack up a combined 24.5 sacks.
That’s not a coincidence. Hunter collapses pockets and forces quarterbacks into bad decisions or into the waiting arms of edge rushers.
And he’s not just a decoy, either. His 10.6% pass-rush win rate is higher than several defensive linemen projected to go ahead of him in the draft, including Peter Woods, Caleb Banks, and Kayden McDonald. That’s a strong number for a player known primarily for his run-stopping ability - and a sign that there’s more to unlock in his pass-rushing toolkit.
Where He Still Needs to Grow
Now, Hunter isn’t a finished product. He’s not a twitchy athlete, and that shows when he’s chasing plays outside the tackle box. He’s not going to track down a mobile quarterback from behind or flash elite lateral quickness in space.
There are also some leverage issues. He tends to play high, both in his stance and post-snap.
That’s a habit that works when you’re the strongest guy on the field - which he often is - but it could be a problem against NFL-caliber linemen who can match his power. He’s also a bit late off the ball at times, which limits his ability to capitalize on quickness.
Still, these are coachable traits. Pad level, get-off, hand usage - those are all areas where NFL coaching can make a real difference. And when the foundation is this strong, it’s worth betting on.
A Look at the Journey: From Alabama to Texas Tech
Hunter’s story is one of persistence and growth. A Mobile, Alabama native, he played high school ball at Mattie T.
Blount and entered college as a four-star recruit. He began his career at Auburn but redshirted as a freshman before transferring to UCF, where he spent three productive seasons and totaled 21.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
In 2025, he made another move - this time to Texas Tech - and it paid off. He closed out his college career with 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, anchoring one of the best defenses in the country alongside Bailey and Height.
He’s been tested. He’s adapted. And now, he’s rising.
Could Kansas City Be the Landing Spot?
We’ve seen the Chiefs invest in defensive line talent before, but they’ve often leaned toward edge rushers or relied on Chris Jones to do it all inside. That formula has worked - to a point. But if Kansas City wants to keep its defensive identity strong while giving Jones more freedom to attack, adding a player like Hunter makes a lot of sense.
And while it’s fun to joke about Patrick Mahomes’ influence at Texas Tech, the pipeline is real. NIL efforts from folks like Mahomes and Cody Campbell helped bring top defensive talent to Lubbock - and Hunter made the most of that opportunity.
Bottom line: Lee Hunter is a game-wrecker against the run with real upside as a pass rusher. He’s not flashy, but he’s flat-out effective. For a team like the Chiefs, who could use a long-term answer in the middle of their defensive line, that’s a player worth keeping a close eye on come draft day.