Offensive Tackle J’Marcus Webb Visited Chiefs On Sunday

Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman J

Lost in the insanity that was the Emmanuel Sanders contract situation was the Chiefs met with an offensive lineman over the weekend. His name is J’Marcus Webb and he’s coming from the Minnesota Vikings. Here’s the twitter proof of his visit to KC:

Webb could be one of two solutions: A replacement for Donald Stephenson as a swing tackle or the starting right tackle.

Drafted in the seventh round in 2010 by the Bears, Webb appeared in only five games for the Vikings in 2013, posting a +2.7 grade over 108 snaps. The year prior he was with the Chicago Bears as the starting left tackle where posted a -1.8 grade in 1,073 snaps.

Much of what you’ll read about Webb is not very positive but context matters here. As a seventh round draft pick, Webb immediately became a starter in 2010, his rookie season, after injuries to the Bears offensive line. He struggled greatly jumping from West Texas A&M to the NFL and had a nightmare season.

The following season Webb was moved from right tackle to the starting left tackle. Again he struggled but he improved the overall quality of his play while also switching from the right side to the more difficult left side. In addition he was having to overcome Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator.

In 2012, Martz was let go but Webb was kept as the starting left tackle. With the exception of a horrible game against the San Francisco 49ers where he allowed three sacks and five hurries, Webb was a slightly above average left tackle.

Webb turns 26 in August and has improve every year he has been in the NFL. Here’s the breakdown of his PFF overall grades:

2010: -35 (starting right tackle; grade includes playoff games)
2011: -16.2 (starting left tackle)
2012: -1.8 (overall grade would be +4.6 if 49ers game were removed)
2013: +2.7 (only 108 snaps, all at RT; +1 grade in only start)

At 6-7, 330 pounds, he may be too tall to play guard but the size an athleticism is intriguing. Get him in a system with a coaching staff that makes sense for him and the Chiefs could have a solid piece on their hands for little money.

At worst the Chiefs are adding a quality swing tackle. At best the Chiefs would be getting a starting right tackle who has experience on the left side. This isn’t an offensive line solving move but it would add some depth back that the Chiefs lost in the opening hours of free agency.