Realistic Offensive Tackle Options For Chiefs In Round 1

The Kansas City Chiefs do not necessarily have many glaring needs entering the 2024 NFL Draft. However, offensive tackle, specifically on the left side, has been a constant question mark entering the last few seasons. Orlando Brown Jr. was there for a couple of years. After he departed last offseason, the Chiefs brought in veteran Donovan Smith on a one-year deal. Interestingly, Kansas City actually added Smith after the draft concluded. In that same draft last April, the Chiefs wound up selecting Oklahoma’s Wanya Morris in the third round. Now once again, left tackle is a bit of a mystery for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Just based on recent history, one would assume that Kansas City would like to have a veteran option for the left tackle spot. Even if Morris were to win the job, that experience has been a key for who the Chiefs rely on for protecting Patrick Mahomes‘ blindside. But as we near the completion of March, KC has obviously not signed a veteran offensive tackle in free agency. There are still some veteran options out there. Yet, much of the Chiefs’ focus is perhaps on the draft and building their own board.

With no veteran signing in place, could offensive tackle be an option that the Chiefs consider in round one of April’s upcoming draft? If so, which names are possible fits for Kansas City around the end of round one? Let’s kick it off.

Chiefs Will Continue To Add Competition In Some Capacity

Since Brett Veach has been general manager, and even during Andy Reid‘s days in Philadelphia, Reid’s teams have prioritized depth in the trenches. Even when the starting five is set, the Chiefs have not been afraid to instill more reinforcements on the offensive line. For offensive tackle in general, Veach spoke about that topic back at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.

“We’re totally confident in Jawaan Taylor at right tackle. At left tackle, Wanya had a chance to get his feet wet,” Veach said. “There (was) some good and it wasn’t perfect. It’s what you would expect from a rookie, but the ability is there. There’s a great foundation for him moving forward.”

“We’ll do what we do every year. We’ll try to develop some competition and depth there at left tackle. If we can do it in free agency, it might be tough, given we have a lot of other areas we need to address,” Veach said. “But I’m sure at some point in the draft, we’d like to bring in some young competition.”

Regardless if that competition comes via a new veteran signing or from a new draft pick, Kansas City will look to have a strong battle between Morris and someone else. If Smith does not return, the Chiefs will be guaranteed to have a different starting left tackle to open the year for the third consecutive season.

Names To Know In KC’s Draft Range

Many people are describing this year’s offensive tackle class as one of the best in recent memory. Depending on how many different runs of offensive tackles there is, it would not be surprising to see at least seven or eight offensive tackles drafted in the first round. There are some top players from the position who will be out of Kansas City’s draft range, of course. But if offensive tackle is where the Chiefs go in round one, there are some names that still jump out. We will focus on four of them today.

Among this quartet of offensive tackle prospects, the Chiefs could consider any of Amarius Mims (Georgia), Kingsley Suamataia (BYU), Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) and Jordan Morgan (Arizona). All of these players are built differently, so to speak. The strengths of a couple of these blockers are much different than the strengths of the others. Meanwhile, there are a pair of these names that may have a leg up on others in this draft range, due to what Reid and KC want for the position.

How Those Names Fit In Chiefs Offense

If there is one thing Reid and the Chiefs have looked for at offensive tackle, it is massive length. Among these four prospects, there is not really any issue in that area. Mims has a gargantuan measurement in arm length, coming in at 36 1/8″. Suamataia (34 1/4″) and Guyton (34 1/8″) measured in very similarly. As for Morgan, he came in at 32 7/8″ in arm length. That is not poor, compared to other offensive tackle prospects in recent memory. Though, that could hurt him, in terms of his stance versus some other offensive tackle the Chiefs may be considering.

Physical Upside

Suamataia and Mims may be the closest of fits for the Chiefs, based on what they want to do. Each of them are more advanced in their hand technique and placement of punches. And given their strength and physicality, you could argue that they are more ready to play than Guyton or Morgan currently. Suamataia does have more starting experience, though, for what it is worth. Mims has logged just eight starts in college and dealt with recent injuries. But the physical upside of Mims is right up there with Suamataia.

Athletic Prowess

Guyton would be a fit for the Chiefs, because of his athleticism and movement skills in space. Compared to someone like Morgan, Guyton comes off as more fluid in his footwork. Though, there is likely more development needed in hand technique and a lower pad level would certainly help.

Morgan is a more challenging case to truly work through. Some have projected him to be more of a guard at the NFL level. His athletic ability in his lower half is a strength that could make him a fit in Kansas City. But comparatively, this offensive tackle prospect is not as refined with his hand technique among names the Chiefs may consider.