Kahlil McKenzie takes reps at guard, center for Kansas City Chiefs
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs are giving Kahlil McKenzie reps at guard, as predicted, but they’re also working him out at center as well.
Zach Fulton’s absence has created a significant void.
For the last couple years, the Kansas City Chiefs have enjoyed a plug-and-play asset along the offensive interior. Whether at guard or center, whatever the need, Zach Fulton has been a player the Chiefs could immediately insert into the starting line-up, even at a moment’s notice, without much of a drop in quality of play. Now the Chiefs are hoping another Tennessee lineman can become that same sort of player.
The Chiefs selected defensive lineman Kahlil McKenzie in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the goal of converting him to an offensive lineman. The transition was something that several teams emphasized to McKenzie, but the Chiefs were the ones to actually take on the task. Now in his first ever practices for the Chiefs at the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend, McKenzie found himself taking reps already at multiple positions.
"More from Arrowhead AddictFormer Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las VegasChiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract newsChiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in GermanyPodcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battlesKC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching acceleratorJust trying to take everything in. Getting some reps at center, rotate at guard. Trying to take everything in, be a sponge right now. That’s the big thing. Just trying to take all the information I’m getting and apply it to the field as soon as possible."
McKenzie has an ideal frame for the role and was already earning praise from onlookers. Note what B.J. Kissel said at the Chiefs official site when documenting highlights from Day 2 of rookie minicamp:
"The Chiefs’ other sixth-round pick, offensive guard Kahlil McKenzie out of Tennessee, is as advertised when it comes to his athleticism at his size (6’3”, 320 lbs). He’s moving well at left guard for the Chiefs."
If the Chiefs were right about McKenzie and he can make the sort of transition that the front office has envisioned, it will go a long way toward providing much-needed depth and talent along the Chiefs offensive line. For now, someone needs to step up. Let’s hope that McKenzie can be an answer sooner or later.