What exactly do the Kansas City Chiefs have in Ike Boettger

We asked a pair of Iowa football experts to tell us more about one of the newest members of the Kansas City Chiefs: OL Ike Boettger.

Earlier this week, the Kansas City Chiefs claimed offensive lineman Ike Boettger on waivers from the Buffalo Bills. It was an odd move, one that brought in an unproven, undrafted product onto a roster where an already known talent at the same position would be forced out due to roster constraints. Given its eleventh hour feel, the whole claim itself was a bit of a shock.

Boettger is a former Iowa Hawkeyes lineman who hasn’t proved a single thing at the pro level and even sat for nearly the entirety of his final year in college due to injury.

To get a better read on what general manager Brett Veach might be thinking, we reached out to a pair of experts on Iowa football: Jordan Hanson of Black Heart Gold Pants and Andrew Wade from Dear Old Gold.

The Chiefs claimed Boettger when they already had versatile depth on the o-line. That makes me believe they see something potentially special here. What would that be?

More from Arrowhead Addict

Hansen: Between 2015 and 2016, Boettger started 18 games at offensive tackle for Iowa and looked like one of the better lineman not only on Iowa’s team, but in the conference. He’s strong and a big dude at 6-foot-6, 310 and added a lot to his frame while in Iowa City.

Fun fact: Boettger actually came to Iowa as a tight end, before moving to tackle in 2013. He’s an intelligent player and willing to adjust to play either guard or tackle, though he was exclusive a tackle while donning the black and gold. He also comes from a program that’s view highly by NFL front offices for players that are both professional and don’t have a steep learning curve. What you see with these guys is what you get.

Wade: I think the big thing with any Iowa lineman is that they will be technically sound throughout, and one of the hardest working guys on the team. Ike looked really good on the Bills so I’m surprised they released him.

What happened during Boettger’s senior year?

Hansen: He had an achilles tendon during a win over Iowa State. He also missed seven games in 2015 due to a high ankle sprain.

Did you expect him to get drafted at all?

Wade: Potentially had he played a full season. He has had injury issues before missing part of his sophomore season, too, but he was penciled in as the starter as a sophomore which is fantastic for Iowa.

Hansen: Before the high ankle sprain back in 2015 and really even ahead of the Achilles injury, I would have said yes. He was still a bit raw in 2016 and I hoped a full 2017 would have helped him put everything together. I don’t think he would have a been a high pick regardless, but a team very well might have used a late-round flier on him. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s already building an NFL career.

What would you expect moving forward for Boettger and the Chiefs?

Wade: If he can stay healthy they have a fantastic back up guard. He could fill in admirably as a spot starter but will bring a ton of effort day in and day out which is always good for the locker room.

Hansen: He’ll give you some depth and I’d think there’s a chance he might stick around on the roster. Will he ever be a full-time starter? That’s really, really hard to say but he’s obviously impressed some people around the NFL and I’d never say never.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs News