Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Offensive tackle
Eric Fisher(Central Michigan) is introduced as the first overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Draft will be finished by this time four weeks from now, so we’ll have far more interesting discussions about who the Chiefs actually did take as opposed to who they could take. Until then we are stuck talking about who the Chiefs may take in the draft. Today we take a look at the offensive tackles in the 2014 class.
Offensive tackle is a curious discussion when it comes to the Chiefs. Whether fans like it or not, Eric Fisher is going to be a tackle for the Chiefs in 2014. What may not be so certain is the future of Donald Stephenson, who for the moment is pegged to be the starting right tackle. Is there a chance the Chiefs take an offensive tackle with their first round pick to secure the right side of the offensive line and keep their flex tackle?
Consider Stephenson will be a free agent in two years. Fisher is controlled by the Chiefs for four more years and an offensive tackle selection in the first round would lock down right tackle for five years. Given the way defenses try to create matchups by moving their best pass rushers around, it may be a good idea to solidify each tackle position.
Merge the “solidify each end of the offensive line” theory with John Dorsey and Andy Reid‘s draft histories and offensive line could be the route the Chiefs go. Dorsey’s Packers took offensive tackles in consecutive drafts in 2010 and 2011 so it wouldn’t be too out of character. Both have a history of solidifying the line of scrimmage using first round picks.
Drafting an offensive tackle in the first round could be in play for the Chiefs, who appear to be progressively rebuilding their offensive line. Branden Albert is gone, and so is Jon Asamoah. Rodney Hudson is a free agent next spring. Is it out of the question the Chiefs address both tackle and guard in the draft?
Here are a few tackles the Chiefs may target in the first round along with a few other options.