Mike

Danna

Danna was selected by the Chiefs in the fifth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The veteran pass rusher totaled 21.5 sacks, 25 TFLs, and one interception in 87 games with the Chiefs and was a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams. The release of Danna, who will be 28 at the start of next season, saves the Chiefs $8.940 million against the cap. He should have plenty of suitors on the market as a pass-rushing specialist.

The Chiefs will be without their EDGE rusher against the Chargers, who sport one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. The Chiefs head into Week 4 as one of the leage’s healthiest teams.

Danna posted a career-high 6.5 sacks last season, and has totaled 11.5 sacks over the last two seasons. The former fifth-round pick also notched a career-high seven TFLs last season and racked up 41 pressures. Danna has played 61.9 percent of his snaps as a pass rusher, and should continue to play a similar role next season.

Danna served as a rotational lineman with the Wolverines in 2019 after spending the first four seasons of his career with Central Michigan. He ultimately racked up 38 total tackles, three tackles for a loss and three sacks in 12 games with Michigan, demonstrating the ability to play both inside and out across the defensive line. Still, the lack of production at Michigan compared to Central Michigan is worrisome when projecting how Danna might perform against NFL talent. He’ll likely be nothing more than a depth piece for at least the first season or two of his career.

Danna served as a rotational lineman with the Wolverines in 2019 after spending the first four seasons of his career with Central Michigan. He ultimately racked up 38 total tackles, three tackles for a loss and three sacks in 12 games with Michigan, demonstrating the ability to play both inside and out across the defensive line. Still, the lack of production at Michigan compared to Central Michigan is worrisome when projecting how Danna might perform against NFL talent. He’ll likely be nothing more than a depth piece for at least the first season or two of his career..

Danna spent one year with the Wolverines as a graduate transfer from Central Michigan. The 6-foot-4, 257-pound defender picked up three sacks as a pass-rushing specialist. He was much more effective as a member of the Chippewas before his transfer from Central Michigan. He’ll look to show he can get to the quarterback and prove he’s worth a look in a camp come next season.

Danna transferred to Michigan from Central Michigan during the offseason so his stats were racked up against lesser competition. We can’t take too much away from the player though as Danna also racked up 85 sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games. The jump in competition is apparent but there’s a legitimate chance Danna continues to perform at a high level.

Danna (6'4/257) transferred over to Michigan from Central Michigan over the winter. He is coming off a sharp 2018 season in which he registered 65 tackles (14.0 for loss), 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games. He will have a step up in competition at Michigan, but if he handles that jump, a Day 3 selection for the spring draft could potentially be in his future. Still a long, long ways to go with his evaluation, of course.

Danna (6'4/257) earned this high grade while racking up 14 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks at Central Michigan, but he’s since transferred to Michigan. Last month, 247 Sports’ Chris Hummer called Danna one of the most underrated transfers of the offseason, and we expect Danna to have another productive year despite climbing a rank with his transfer. Danna is on the 2020 NFL Draft radar.

“Danna might be the most underrated addition of the offseason at any program,” writes Hummer. “A huge producer at Central Michigan (14 TFL, 8.5 sacks), Michigan got a steal when it added Danna to a front seven that’s in need of established pass rushers after the departures of Chase Winovich and Rashan Gary.” Sure, that production came against inferior competition, but Danna could be a huge pickup for what should once again be among the best defenses in college football.