Defensive tackle is a handful to block

The strong defender from Florida State has a solid basis to build on.

The Kansas City Chiefs prioritize number over quality in filling up the defensive lineman position group led by Chris Jones. The defensive line’s interior is stacked with big-bodied veterans like Mike Pennel, Derrick Nnad, and even Isaiah Buggs, a 27-year-old who was on the practice squad last year and has 23 career starts on his resume.

Even with the returning talent, the squad needed to have a plan for the future. The class of defensive tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft was appealing, with exciting talents within reach for the Chiefs to choose – but the team did not use a single pick on the defensive line.

All of this adds to the curiosity around Florida State defensive tackle Fabien Lovett’s undrafted signing. After six years of college and numerous seasons of all-conference honors, many draft analysts expected Lovett to be drafted: Dane Brugler of The Athletic assessed him as a fifth or sixth-round pick, while Lance Zierlein of NFL Network rated him as a fifth-round prospect.

Fabien Lovett Sr. is a DT prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 6.87 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 544 out of 1735 DT from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/a4wXUilKHD pic.twitter.com/mxw5wElIUO

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 2, 2024

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Lovett stood out for his size, measuring 6’4″ and weighing 314. There are many professional defensive lineman with those measurements, but few had an arm length of 35.5 inches and a hand size of 11 inches; both were in the 97th percentile or above for prospects at his position.

He is the Chiefs’ latest nose-tackle, but his youth and experience make him a player to keep an eye on this summer.

Here’s what to know about Lovett on the field:

Holding the point of attack

In 2023, Lovett led the Seminoles defense in A-gap snaps, indicating that he was the team’s primary nose tackle. He was instructed to plug run lanes inside and generally take up space in the trenches.

#Chiefs UDFA Fabien Lovett is an absolute handful on the defensive line

6'4" 314 pounds with 35.5-inch Arms & 11-inch Hands doesn't stay locked up for long pic.twitter.com/ctMwcuinfC

— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) May 21, 2024

His footage demonstrates that he was an utter nightmare for blocking schemes to deal with, particularly in the run game. When engaging offensive linemen, Lovett uses his big paws and long arms to take control of blocks, allowing him to keep his eyes up and respond to the ballcarrier’s route. He is classified as a gap holder rather than a penetrator.

His large, hefty frame also makes it difficult for him to go along the line. Even with a second blocker closing in on him, Lovett has the underlying strength to stay in the gap he’s protecting.

When taking on double teams, Lovett can come off high & give initial ground, but he has the recovery ability settle back in, stay alive & get in on the tackle pic.twitter.com/TOpQwIeyCQ

— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) May 21, 2024

With his above-average height, Lovett occasionally comes out of his stance too high, allowing pushback off the line. To clarify, he is being transported up the field rather than horizontally, as previously mentioned. He maintains the space he is accountable for, even if it means giving up a yard or two of movement off the line.

He will need to improve his pad level because losing ground frequently will impair the playmaking abilities of the linebackers and other defenders surrounding him.

Beating blocks with power

Those big hands translate to powerful clubs pic.twitter.com/019tP1J6ov

— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) May 21, 2024

If only one blocker is deployed at Lovett, he is too powerful to remain imprisoned for long. His massive hands allow him to shed blocks violently, whether with a powerful club to a blocker’s shoulder or a push-pull maneuver to get hands off him.

This is not as evident in Lovett’s pass-rush footage; the forceful moves are less effective when the blocker is not leaning forward.

The 6'4" 314 Lovett can overwhelm IOL with strong leg drive in his bull rush, collapsing the front of the pocket pic.twitter.com/U05FSnZTsN

— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) May 21, 2024

Instead, Lovett will rush and try to overpower pass-protecting offensive lineman. He doesn’t get off the ball quickly, but he can generate strength in a bull rush and walk back linemen into the pocket.

He does not appear to be a part of a pass-rush scheme on obvious pass downs, but he can clearly cave the pocket from the front when facing a drop back.

The bottom line

The Chiefs did not choose a defensive lineman this year, but Lovett has the opportunity to make an impact on the team like he did in the past. There are numerous options to rotate around Jones on gameday, and no one has really established a solid role among the rotation.

His distinct physical profile—being as large and long as he is—could set him out from the pack. That could land him a spot on the 53-man roster, but the 24-year-old has the potential to accomplish more than just make the squad in 2024.