The Kansas City Chiefs added to their defensive line depth on Saturday afternoon by picking pass-rusher Mike Danna with the No. 177 overall selection.
Here are five things to know about the newest member of the Chiefs.
1. Danna played for the Michigan Wolverines last season
Danna tallied 38 tackles, 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble for Michigan as a graduate transfer in 2019, appearing in 13 games (1 start). His top outings included a five-tackle, one-sack game against Iowa and a four-tackle, one-sack game vs. Illinois that also included a forced fumble.
His best statistical performance of the season came against Michigan State, where he notched six tackles and a sack on his way to earning Team Defensive Lineman of the Game honors. It marked one of three times during the year that Danna received the honor.
2. Before transferring to Ann Arbor, Danna was a star at Central Michigan
The six-foot-two, 257-pound Danna was responsible for 151 tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss, 15 sacks and four forced fumbles across three seasons at Central Michigan from 2016-18. He was particularly effective as a senior in 2018, racking up 66 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks.
He started all 12 games for the Chippewas that year and won the Herb Deromedi Most Valuable Player Award, which is the program's top on-field honor.
3. His pass-rushing skills received recognition from the folks at Pro Football Focus in 2018
Danna was a First-Team All-American according to Pro Football Focus following his prolific season in 2018. According to PFF, Danna posted the best pass-rushing grade of any returning player in the country while recording 30 run stops and 55 pressures.
Additionally, the advanced metrics handed Danna a significantly better grade every season at Central Michigan, marking improvement as he continued to learn his craft.
4. According to NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler, Danna possesses "untapped talent"
Danna's numbers at Michigan didn't quite mirror his massive production at Central Michigan, but The Athletic's Dane Brugler remained confident that he could thrive if the right team called his name:
"Overall, Danna had a very quiet senior season for a grad transfer, but there is untapped talent there that can be unleashed in the right situation."
It appears the Chiefs believe they can be that team for Danna.
5. He didn't start playing football until high school
Danna's football career began at Warren De La Salle High School outside of Detroit, and while he didn't play any youth football growing up, it was quickly evident that Danna had a knack for the sport.
Warren De La Salle won a state title in 2014 behind Danna's 20 tackles-for-loss, earning the edge-rusher an All-State special mention from the Associated Press.
Now, his football journey has led him to Kansas City.
