KC Chiefs grab Darian Kinnard in fifth round

The Kansas City Chiefs decided to use their fifth-round pick on Darian Kinnard.

The Kansas City Chiefs added some help along the offensive line with their selection of Kentucky lineman Darian Kinnard in the fifth round.

In order to make the selection, the Chiefs traded up with the Seattle Seahawks at No. 145 overall to grab Kinnard off the board. In doing so, they sent their original spot at No. 158, originally acquired from the New England Patriots in a second-round swap, as well as one of their four seventh-round picks at No. 233 overall.

By adding Kinnard, the Chiefs have bolstered the right side of the line with another player to compete for reps at right tackle after making 39 consecutive starts for the Wildcats as their right bookend—what they termed the “Big Blue Wall.” At 6’5″, 322 lbs., he certainly has the frame to succeed at the pro level, but a move inside could be discussed as well, so there’s some versatility here as well.

The Chiefs are obviously set at guard spots with Trey Smith manning right guard and Joe Thuney at left guard, but Kinnard gives them a cost-controlled player who could develop into an eventual starter—or at least gives them that ceiling—for the next few years as their current subs hit free agency in the next year. Remember Andrew Wylie is back but only on a single-season deal.

Right tackle is expected to be held down by Lucas Niang although he’s making his way back from an injury, which means Wylie is a potential face to watch for Week 1. He held down the same position last year while Niang was injured. Kinnard now gives the Chiefs another competitor in the same sort of spot that Kyle Long should have occupied last year.