Eric Berry and beyond: Building a championship roster
By Ryan Tracy
In the Trenches
The Chiefs are loaded with interior line options. At the end of the day, Jeff Allen is best at guard. If Ben Grubbs health is not a concern, does he make Allen expendable like Geoff Schwartz was two years ago? Dorsey has a track record of turning over the o-line.
The spot most in need of an upgrade is at tackle. Jah Reid came in last season and played better than expected. His versatility was evident late as he played better inside at guard. Bringing in another tackle to start over or compete with Reid is a key to improving the offense in 2016.
The problem is that the free agent tackle group this year is top heavy. There are few players available that will fall between the cost-prohibitive tackles like Schwartz (Mitchell), Glenn, Smith and Okung and third-tier tackles like the Chiefs’ Donald Stephenson. Bobby Massie, who displays his athleticism training with LeCharles Bentley, is one tackle on the rise.
He’s athletic in space and a particularly good run blocker, but do you want him trying to block Von Miller? I am not sold yet, although he may not break the bank and could be competition. (Massie in black Cardinals shirt)
The draft offers the best chance to upgrade the offensive tackle position. In fact, there are a number of offensive tackles in the 2016 draft class that could be the best value pick at #28. The options should be intriguing but that will be a completely separate column. That topic will get covered after the film and combine gives us an idea of the athleticism of the 2016 tackle class.
Next: Can Dee Ford avoid being a bust? Here's the film
As players are being released and free agency begins ramping up, things will get interesting.
Keep your head on a swivel, Addicts!