Karlaftis recorded four tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in Sunday's 17-9 win at Jacksonville.
Trevor Lawrence was sacked four times in Week 2, and Karlaftis got in on the action, collecting 1.5 sacks of his own. The sophomore defensive end turned things up a notch towards the end of the 2022 season, and that play has carried into 2023, at least so far. If he keeps up the pace, he'll be a hot option in the IDP market as the season unfolds.
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Chiefs' George Karlaftis: Rounds into form late in 2022
Rotowire
Karlaftis compiled 33 tackles (18 solo), six sacks and seven passes defensed during the regular season of rookie campaign in 2022.
Karlaftis took some time to round into form as a pass rusher, compiling just half a sack over the first 10 games. However, once he found his form, he never looked back. Karlaftis finished the regular season on a tear, recording 5.5 sacks over the final seven games to give the Chiefs a pass-rush threat on both sides of the defensive line opposite Frank Clark and in the middle with star defensive tackle Chris Jones. Karlaftis may go a bit under the radar entering 2023, given his overall sack total, but his strong close to the regular season could make him worth a look as a defensive line IDP in some formats next season.
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Chiefs' George Karlaftis: Three sacks in three weeks
Rotowire
Karlaftis recorded three tackles -- including a sack -- and was credited with a pass breakup in Sunday's 34-28 win over the Broncos.
The rookie first-round pick out of Purdue has been quiet for most of the season, but he's beginning to emerge as a more disruptive force off the edge in the Chiefs' 4-3 base defense. Though he's only accrued 3.5 sacks through his first 13 appearances, three of those sacks have come in the last three weeks.
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Chiefs' George Karlaftis: Taken by Kansas City in Round 1
Rotowire
The Chiefs selected Karlaftis in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 30th overall.
Karlaftis might not be as toolsy as some of the other edge defenders drafted ahead of him, but his production at Purdue can match almost anyone and there's nothing concerning in his workout metrics. At 6-foot-4, 266 pounds his 38-inch vertical jump and 121-inch broad jump indicate plus explosiveness out of his stance, and his athletic dimensions otherwise are very similar to former Purdue defensive end great Ryan Kerrigan. Most teams need more players like Karlaftis, and the Chiefs as much as any team.
