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Do The Kansas City Chiefs Have A Problem At Guard?

By Lyle Graversen

Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs offensive linemen Jah Reid (75), Laurent Duvemay-Tardif (76) and center Mitch Morse (61) defend against Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs offensive linemen Jah Reid (75), Laurent Duvemay-Tardif (76) and center Mitch Morse (61) defend against Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jah Reid (75) pass blocks in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jah Reid (75) pass blocks in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Guard Contender #3: Jah Reid

At this time last year Jah Reid wasn’t even on the Kansas City roster. Despite that fact, he ended up starting ten games for the Chiefs in 2015. Most of his starts came at right tackle but he did fill in at right guard late in the season as well. Reid has been in the NFL the longest of all the guard contenders, but has only 17 starts in his five NFL seasons (10 of those with KC last season).

Reid is listed at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds. Looking at Reid, he is a pretty lean 325 and is definitely not as bulky as either Fulton or LDT (likely due to the fact that he is two inches taller). I would describe Reid as a replacement level NFL tackle. He isn’t a good NFL starter but if he has to start its not the end of the world. His ability to pass protect against good speed rushers on the edge is definitely an issue at times.

Reid stepped in for an injured LDT in the playoffs and I felt like he clearly outplayed him. Fulton was already playing for an injured Mitch Morse so I’m guessing Reid may have been their third option at RG, but he played like he should have been the first option. On the interior Reid didn’t have to worry about the speed off the edge and I felt it allowed him to play much more aggressive. He is strong enough to play on the inside and with decent feet and agility for a man that’s 6-foot-7 I feel like he’s a solid option.

The biggest question for me surrounding Reid in 2016 is where the Chiefs feel like they need him. In my opinion, he is a better starting guard option than Zach Fulton. However, Reid is also their only proven player that could act as their swing tackle off the bench. If the Chiefs feel like there isn’t anyone else capable to back up Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz will they keep him at tackle regardless of his potential at guard? Would they allow him to compete for a starting guard spot and then move him back to tackle if Fisher or Schwartz miss time? Did they draft Parker Ehinger to be the new swing tackle so they could move Reid inside or did they draft Ehinger to compete at guard because they want to keep Reid at tackle? These are questions I definitely think bare watching when training camp gets under way.

It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs use Jah Reid in 2016.

Finally, let’s talk about the rookie Parker Ehinger.

Next: Parker Ehinger

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