KC Chiefs connected with Jackson Carman in latest 2021 mock draft

If you’re looking for massive changes along the offensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs, then you’re going to love the latest mock draft from CBS Sports analyst Chris Trapasso. He has the Chiefs taking a flyer on the mammoth frame of Clemson tackle Jackson Carman at the bottom of the first round at No. 31 overall.

Carman is a newer name linked with the Chiefs from previous mock drafts that we’ve seen. However, the idea of drafting an offensive tackle is certainly par for the course here (to mix sports metaphors).

Trapasso has a good read on the overall number of offensive line prospects being taken overall since Carman is the 7th offensive lineman to be selected in the first round. Given the state of o-line play around the NFL, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see plenty of linemen taken early, especially offensive tackles, in order to take advantage of the top end talent available.

For the Chiefs, protecting Patrick Mahomes has become the prime directive this offseason given the state of the offensive front this past season and the resulting injuries heading into the offseason. There’s not a single position up front that doesn’t require some level of attention, and it’s entirely possible the Chiefs come into this September with an entirely different starting five than the line featured in last year’s opener against the Houston Texans.

The Chiefs have been linked with OT Jackson Carman in a recent mock draft.

With Carman, the goal would be to draft him in order to help replace the likes of Eric Fisher or Mitchell Schwartz on the left or right side at tackle, respectively. Fisher is out with an Achilles injury suffered in late January, which means any expectations that he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season feel like a pipe dream. As for Schwartz, anything is possible from retirement to a healthy return.

Carman is an interesting choice here since we’ve not seen him before. Trapasso himself says he’s the 10th best tackle on his big board and the 37th overall ranked prospect. Why leap over familiar names here for Carman? It sounds like a move made in order to differentiate mock drafts, unless the Chiefs just happen to be particularly sweet on Carman in particular.

Carman knows a thing or two about protecting a highly-prized asset as the blindside protector for Trevor Lawrence for the last couple years. He’s also absolutely huge, coming in 20 pounds heavier than Eric Fisher at 335. If drafted at that size, he would be the heaviest player on the Chiefs roster. (Mike Pennel holds that current role.)

Will he stay at tackle? Would this be a reach? These are questions that will find answers in the pre-draft season going forward but for now it gives us another name to watch for the Chiefs in the draft going forward.