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KC Chiefs 2021 Draft: Best interior o-line prospects to protect Patrick Mahomes

By Thomas Welte

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats looks on during a timeout against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the third quarter on October 20, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Northwestern won 18-15. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats looks on during a timeout against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the third quarter on October 20, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Northwestern won 18-15. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30: A general view of the Reese’s Senior Bowl Logo at mid-field in Hancock Whitney Stadium during the 2021 Resse’s Senior Bowl on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30: A general view of the Reese’s Senior Bowl Logo at mid-field in Hancock Whitney Stadium during the 2021 Resse’s Senior Bowl on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Quinn Meinerz, G/C, Wisconsin-Whitewater

The 2021 Senior Bowl darling from Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater was a virtual unknown a month ago. Meinerz was just another name on a list, just another guy trying to chase an NFL dream. Meinerz was dominant in college, but the level of competition was nowhere near that of the NFL.

Meinerz has NFL size at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds and has filled out his frame nicely since his freshman year. He showed he could hang with tougher competition at the Senior Bowl, answering the biggest question about his game and helping is draft stock tremendously. Meinerz is projected to be an early day three or late day two selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

There will certainly be room to grow for Meinerz as he gets acclimated to the speed of the NFL and takes on the regiment of an NFL strength and conditioning program. That said, he shows outstanding use of leverage and hand placement in the trenches. He has a nasty demeanor and genuinely looks like he isn’t happy until his guy is in the dirt. Athletic ability may be limited for Meinerz, and he may struggle against faster interior defenders, but over time, he should be able to keep pace as he continues to develop physically and technically.

Meinerz has the flexibility to play guard or center, but I like him more at center for Kansas City. The Chiefs would benefit from investing in someone long term to help Patrick Mahomes with setting protections. Additionally, Meinerz has a grit and toughness about him that fans will love. The Wisconsin-Whitewater product reminds me of former Chiefs center Mitch Morse.

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