How does the Kansas City Chiefs roster compare to 2018?
By Drew Brooks
2018 offensive line (10): Eric Fisher, Mitch Morse, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mitchell Schwartz, Cameron Erving, Jordan Devey, Andrew Wylie, Kahlil McKenzie, Ike Boettger, Austin Reiter
2019 offensive line (10): Eric Fisher, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mitchell Schwartz, Cameron Erving, Andrew Wylie, Austin Reiter, Jeff Allen, Martinas Rankin, Nick Allegretti, Ryan Hunter
Carrying the same number of lineman as last year, the Chiefs’ biggest change is the loss of center Mitch Morse. After the Chiefs opted not to resign Morse this offseason, the Buffalo Bills signed him to a 4-year deal that averages over $11 million a season.
The loss of Morse means all eyes will be on Austin Reiter, the team’s only center. The Chiefs claimed Reiter off waivers last season and he played in 11 games with 4 starts. When he played, he played well and received a slightly better grade from Pro Football Focus than Mitch Morse did with a 71.4. Ultimately, Reiter was an admirable backup to Morse last year and the Chiefs trust him to take over the starter role this year.
The Chiefs’ tackles, Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, as expected have not changed. Fisher and Schwartz, at least for the time being, have nothing to worry about. Offensive guard is another story. While Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has right guard locked down, there’s some competition at left guard.
The Chiefs signed a familiar face in offensive guard Jeff Allen earlier in the year and, after initially cutting him from the 53-man roster, they brought him back after placing quarterback Chad Henne on injured reserve. While left guard is presumably Andrew Wylie’s job to lose, there’s potential for either Jeff Allen or Ryan Hunter to win the spot sometime during the season.
Other depth additions to the Chiefs’ offensive line are Nick Allegretti, who the Chiefs drafted in the seventh-round of the draft this year, and Martinas Rankin, who the Chiefs acquired via trade. Both players are young lineman who will spend most of their time learning and improving, while also providing depth to the Chiefs’ line in case of any injuries.
Next, let’s see who the offensive line will be blocking for.