Mitch Morse brings toughness, talent to Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs were widely thought to have reached when drafting Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Mitch Morse with the 49th-overall pick. Many believed Morse would have been there in the third and perhaps even fourth round. Yet, Morse might prove to be a steal for Kansas City.

Poking around the internet, I found this gem that Arrowhead Pride of SB Nation was able to post. During the immediate aftermath of Morse’s selection, ESPN’s analyst and former NFL player Louis Riddick lauded the pick. Riddick went so far to say Morse and Cameron Erving were “two of the better offensive linemen in this draft” and that both “have Pro Bowl-type potential.”

Then I kept searching for material on Morse and read this terrific article by Sean Keeler of FOX Sports. Keeler details how Morse fought through Mono during his early days at Missouri, refusing to tell anybody he was ill. For anyone who has dealt with Mono, imagine trying to play college football during that time. Impossible.

In Keeler’s piece, he interviews co-offensive line coach Josh Hensen, who had the following to say about Morse.

"“I just watch film, (and) these other guys that everybody would talk about and they’d say, ‘This guy is good,'” Henson continued, “and I’d sit there and go, ‘Mitch is just as good a player as that guy.'”"

Hensen also talked about Morse’s greatest strength, and my guess as to why Chiefs general manager John Dorsey selected him, per Keeler.

"“His arm length wasn’t what they want for an edge (blocker), but I promise you, his feet are,” Henson said. “His feet are as good as you’ll find. Great feet. Great feet.”"

If you watch Kansas City, you realize the offensive linemen need to be nimble and quick. The Chiefs rely on misdirection and screens to garner chunks of yardage. When Dorsey was able to acquire Ben Grubbs, I was thrilled because Grubbs can move like none other. Turn on the film, and you see a left guard who runs in space like a tight end. With Morse, his footwork allows him to pull quickly and get out in front, a staple of the West Coast offense that Andy Reid runs.

With rookie minicamp beginning on Saturday, May 16, we will get our first glimpses/reports on Morse at the NFL level. It will be interesting to watch if Morse can beat Eric Kush for the starting center job, despite Kush having two years in the system.