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Four offensive line targets for the Chiefs during 2021 NFL free agency

By Jordan Mannix

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Joe Thuney #62 of the New England Patriots waits at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Joe Thuney #62 of the New England Patriots waits at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Chiefs, Joe Thuney
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 20: Joe Thuney #62 of the New England Patriots in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Joe Thuney, Guard

There might not be another spot on the Chiefs roster with more questions than the interior offensive line. The team could conceivably bring back Kelechi Osemele in 2021, a player who surpassed expectations in the early part of the 2020 season before going down with an injury. He’d likely be a low-cost option, but questions remain surrounding his knee injuries.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif looks to return from an offseason spent working in the hospital. Admirable as his decision may be, he had a rough 2018 and 2019 season. Can coaches and fans alike count on above average production after taking a year off from the intensity of professional sports?

There are also a handful of players the Chiefs will likely bring back who will play a large role in spot duty. Yet, there is serious question as to whether we know who the starting two guards will be. All these factors possibly make Joe Thuney a top priority target for the Chiefs this offseason.

Thuney has started every game for the New England Patriots since he was drafted by the team in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s maintained a grade in the mid-to-high 70s almost every year from his second season on. In the last three seasons he’s played over 3,000 snaps and allowed sacks on only three of them.

It’s possible Thuney is too expensive. It’s possible a number of the options on this list are. That said, if the Chiefs aren’t assured of their starters on the interior at this point they should absolutely kick the tires on a player like Thuney.

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