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What should the Kansas City Chiefs do with the offensive line?

By Lyle Graversen

Sep 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jeff Allen (71), center Mitch Morse (61), offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) and guard Ben Grubbs (66) watch the final minutes of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jeff Allen (71), center Mitch Morse (61), offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) and guard Ben Grubbs (66) watch the final minutes of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Draft a tackle early in the 2016 Draft

While the Chiefs line did show some improvement during the 2015 season the amount of sacks allowed has to improved. While Jah Reid was serviceable at right tackle that is a spot where KC could definitely improve. I would love to see the Chiefs take a tackle early enough in the draft that he could compete for the starting job from day one. I’ve really just begun to scout possible draft prospects, but if you go off of the latest projections a guy like Michigan State’s Jack Conklin might be a good option in the first round if KC wants to take a tackle.

If the Chiefs were to take a tackle that could start from day one it would also allow them to have Jah Reid to compete for the starting right guard spot. I actually liked what I saw from Reid there at the end of the season. Reid is just 27 and has some size/athleticism upside. He’s not fantastic against speed on the outside, but I liked him on the interior. I think a starting offensive line of Fisher, Allen, Morse, Reid, and a first round tackle would have some real potential with all of the players being 27 years old or younger.

Now, I wouldn’t be mad if the Chiefs went out and signed a starting right tackle like Kelechi Osemele or Mitchell Schwartz in free agency, but I just have this feeling that most of their money is going to go towards keeping their in house talent. Short of a free agent move like that I feel pretty strongly that KC must add a tackle early in the draft.

4. Let Jah Reid, Zach Fulton, and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif compete at right guard

While it would be great if KC was able to add a proven starting right guard this offseason it just isn’t realistic to project the team to add top talent at every open position. Reid, Fulton, and LDT all have starting experience and an open competition would push all three and allow the best player to step up and earn it. Based on what I have seen I feel like that player might be Jah Reid, but I don’t think he deserves to just have the job handed to him. Plus, if a new day one starting right tackle isn’t added to the roster he may have to play at right tackle again next year.

Zach Fulton has proven himself to be a valuable player to have on the roster as he has started games at both right guard and center. Fulton is only 24 years old and entering his third season. While he isn’t an elite athlete he does still have room to improve. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is also 24 and entering his third season. LDT is even more raw than Fulton having come out of Canada. He probably has more physical upside than Fulton but time will tell if he’s ever able to pick up the game at the NFL level enough to become a solid starting caliber player. I believe that between those three players the Chiefs can find a suitable starter at right guard for 2016.

That takes us to my final step….

Next: Keeping Eric Fisher in KC

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