NFL Draft Profiles: Interior Offensive Linemen Kansas City May Consider
By Ben Nielsen
November 17, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Jeff Allen (71) blocks during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Four weeks from today we will watching the third day of the NFL draft, at which point the Chiefs may be drafting their future right guard. Today we’ll take a look at the available interior offensive linemen in the 2014 class.
Plenty of internet space has been sent on Kansas City’s need for offensive linemen to replace what they lost to free agency. We’ve discussed in previous posts that the third day of the draft could be where the Chiefs address their need for a guard. History would suggest there should be quality options in the third day of the draft to fill the right guard position. Geoff Schwartz was a seventh round pick, and Green Bay Packers guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang were each found in the fourth round.
Three things Kansas City may be looking for in interior offensive linemen.
Athleticism. Andy Reid likes to play the edges and get playmakers in space. This means zone blocking, screens, and sweeps. Whoever plays guard for Reid is going to have to cover a lot of ground quickly.
Slim. Reid seems to favor lighter guards as opposed to bigger, heavier linemen. There is a trend of Reid’s interior linemen being somewhere between 300-310 pounds.
Flexibility. There seems to be a trend of offensive linemen who are acquired who can play multiple positions. Being able to flex between center and guard or guard and tackle could end up being a key in who the Chiefs target.
Who could fill the guard need for the Chiefs? Let’s find out.