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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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2021 NFL Draft prospect Landon Dickerson
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – DECEMBER 12: Landon Dickerson #69 of the Alabama Crimson Tide blocks during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on December 12, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 52-3. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Landon Dickerson, G/C, Alabama

Landon Dickerson is a simpler evaluation than Wyatt Davis: Elite talent with an injury history that may have him off some boards completely. Dickerson made a strong case to overtake Creed Humphrey for the top center in the 2021 NFL Draft, but injuries came back and continued to haunt him.

When Dickerson is available to play, he shows flashes of being a dominant player in the trenches. Dickerson is powerful and once he gets his hands on a defender, they quickly become a non-factor. In fact, he is every superlative you can muster: a mauler, road grader, hog molly, and more. Dickerson displays a constant and aggressive motor, and his level of effort and awareness is impressive.

The Alabama lineman is not the most nimble, but playing from the center position allowed him to work within the interior of the line and open holes in the running game. It is easy to fall in love with Dickerson’s play style, and he appears to be well respected by his teammates and coaches.

Dickerson undoubtedly has first round talent, but the injury issues cannot be understated. In five college seasons, Dickerson had four season-ending injuries which makes Sammy Watkins look reliable.

The injury caveat for Dickerson looms over the Crimson Tide prospect. He has undeniable talent and would be a lock for the first round, but his inability to stay healthy will likely push him into day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft. There very well be many teams who remove Dickerson from their draft boards based on injury history alone. Additionally, many of the injuries have been to Dickerson’s legs and lower body which does not bode well for a lineman who does not display great movement skills. The Chiefs boast one of the most well-respected medical/training teams in the NFL, and they will play a critical role in evaluating Landon Dickerson.

The Chiefs would certainly benefit from adding Dickerson, if he is healthy and available. Dickerson can play guard or center, but the team that drafts him will have a decision to make. Dickerson has the potential to be a top-tier center in the league, but with his injury history, teams may be hesitant to put an unreliable options at such an important position.

While Dickerson’s upside at guard may not be as high, he would be a starting caliber player and the potential injuries would be less disruptive to the offensive flow. I believe Dickerson would be best at the center position in Kansas City, as Andy Reid has shown the ability to maximize reserve lineman without much drop off.

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