Chiefs Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line

It is difficult to tell just how well this line will do compared to others in the recent past. Remember how excited we were when the Chiefs traded for a proven veteran in Ben Grubbs? Now Schwartz hasn’t missed a snap in his four years so there isn’t much to worry about there but depth will play a big role as it always does.

Can those in the ranks behind the starters step up when they need to? This year I believe the depth has improved for Kansas City and will provide good starter insurance. The depth will also provide some good battles in training camp at the contested position of guard on both sides.  Should the starters jell as a unit then the time necessary will be provided for Smith and good running lanes will open for Jamaal Charles and the others.

Projected Starters:

LT Eric Fisher

This won’t come as any surprise but this may be the make or break year for Fisher. As fellow AA writer Ben Almquist pointed out, Fisher has reached the point of options in his rookie contract which make him more expensive for the Chiefs to keep without a restructured deal. Should he show the NFL that he really deserved to go number one overall then the Chiefs could have a franchise left tackle and a Super Bowl in their near future.

LG Zach Fulton

Many will want or project rookie Parker Ehinger in this spot but I am going with experience to start camp and possibly the regular season. Fulton showed himself a reliable utility lineman for the Chiefs throughout 2015. He was able to play both guard positions and center and held his own across the board. Fulton will be challenged by Ehinger and others but he should prove the better when the dust settles.

C Mitch Morse

Morse turned out to be one of the steals of the draft last year as he started all games until his concussion late in the season. Morse played all along the line in college but it appeared that after the exit of Rodney Hudson that the Chiefs would move him to center.

Not only did Morse do well at the position but he consistently caught the eye of the national writers and coaches saying that he deserved some recognition. Morse will continue to outplay opposing fronts and some of his more blatant mistakes from 2015 will be distant memories.

RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

When the Chiefs selected the big Canadian out of McGill college in the 6th round of the 2014 draft there was not much expected of him. However, LDT’s recent burst of skill and athleticism has pushed him into a starting spot and the Chiefs made no moves to supplant him for 2016. He may be another who will be challenged by Ehinger but I believe he will earn the starting spot and bolster the running game for an all-star backfield.

RT Mitchell Schwartz

Much has already been said of arguably the best free agent acquisition of the Chiefs this off season but the excitement around Kansas City is real. Here is a lineman who is as durable as they come, reminding fans of the days of Will Shields and his iron man seasons. Should the Chiefs line need an experienced and durable leader to look to, Schwartz will fill those shoes nicely.

Next: The Reserves