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Kansas City Chiefs: An early look at the 2016 offensive line prospects

By Lyle Graversen

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 /
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Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Landon Turner (78) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Landon Turner (78) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The third tier is where we start to get to more of the guard prospects. The first couple might be options for the Chiefs in the second round, but the others are more likely third round prospects going into the combine (where things can change).

Vadal Alexander – OG – LSU – 6’5″ – 336 lbs – Big Board Avg: 61.0

If you told me right now that the Chiefs are going to draft a guard in the second round of the draft this season, I would hope that Vadal Alexander was the pick. Alexander has experience at both guard and tackle at LSU, but while he moves pretty well for a guy his size his future in the NFL is inside. He has great power but just needs to refine his technique to add consistency. I think Alexander could be a Pro Bowl caliber guard.

Landon Turner – OG – North Carolina – 6’3″ – 325 lbs – Big Board Avg: 67.3

Landon Turner is another potential mauler in the run game, but I’m not sure if he has enough athleticism for the Chiefs to target him. Unlike Vadal Alexander, Turner doesn’t have the movement skills to go with his power game. He’d still be an upgrade over anybody KC played at RG last season.

Joshua Garnett – OG – Stanford – 6’5″ – 317 lbs – Big Board Avg: 79.7

Joshua Garnett was the 2015 Outland Trophy winner and does many things well. That having been said, he just isn’t quite as physically imposing as the last couple of guards on this list and isn’t super athletic either. He’ll likely be a solid starter at the NFL level, but probably doesn’t have elite upside.

Nick Martin – C – Notre Dame – 6’4″ – 296 lbs – Big Board Avg: 81.3

Nick Martin seems to be the consensus number two center in this draft class after Ryan Kelly. Martin is the younger brother of Zach Martin of the Cowboys. As was mentioned earlier with Kelly, it seems unlikely to me that KC would spend an early pick on a center again this year.

John Theus – OT – Georgia – 6’7″ – 317 lbs – Big Board Avg: 84.3

Most of the tackles in tier two of this list were “high upside” guys that carried some risk with them. That’s not John Theus. Theus is a four year starter in the SEC with experience at both left and right tackle in a pro style offense. Theus has okay strength and athleticism but neither show elite upside. Theus may be more ready to contribute on day one than most of the prospects in tier two, but unlike them his upside may eventually relegate him to a swing tackle reserve roll.

Finally, a few names to keep an eye on in the fourth tier…..

Next: Tier Four Offensive Line Prospects

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