What does Prince Tega Wanogho have to offer Chiefs in 2023?

For all of the concern around the tackle position for the Kansas City Chiefs, there’s remarkably little chatter regarding the options the team already has on the roster. That’s either due to oversight or it’s actually part of the problem.

What does that mean for a player like Prince Tega Wanogho? The Chiefs aren’t without a young, developmental player at the position—in fact, Wanogho is one of a few names that could be mentioned here—but in larger conversations, Wanogho is not even brought up as a possible contributor other than special teams duty.

Moving forward, you could say the Chiefs need a starter at left tackle, a starter at right tackle, and even a swing tackle for the 2022 season. Lucas Niang will contend for a role as he hopes to return to health from a devastating patellar injury. Darian Kinnard will find his place along the line, although word is that he could shift inside. Beyond those competitors, however, the Chiefs have only Wanogho before finding the end of the current offseason roster.

What NFL Draft scouts said about Prince Tega Wanogho

Wanogho was a long-time starter along the Auburn offensive line and came into the 2019 season looking forward to really building his draft stock. After being named first-team All-SEC, Wanogho finished up a collegiate career that spoke for itself with regard to his experience.

Wanogho came to college with only a year of high school football to his name, meaning he was incredibly raw and yet he ascended the depth chart to make 32 starts, which is quite impressive. He earned a trip to the Senior Bowl, which should have been a real showcase for him early in 2020 but he was flagged medically and forced to sit out due to a knee injury.

Wanogho had a lighter build and shorter arms than other tackle prospects which scouts knocked him for in scouting reports, but his background as a basketball player provided him with other advantages in terms of conditioning, athleticism, and footwork.

In the end, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to submit his name on a draft card in the sixth round at No. 210 overall.

What the Chiefs have in Prince Tega Wanogho

Wanogho is clearly championed in the front office by someone because he’s been around for the last couple of years. What began as a futures contract offer in the winter of 2021 has turned into a sustained presence on the active roster in 2022, even if it’s only as a core special teams player for Dave Toub.

Remember this: Wanogho was green coming into college and is now only 25 years old. There’s never been too much of a concern around Wanogho and whether or not he has the potential. It’s always been about whether or not he will grow into it or not. With two seasons under Andy Heck, the Chiefs might have a better understanding at this stage with several needs open to him on the roster.

No one should ever expect Wanogho to jump from practice squad player to starting left tackle and the Chiefs aren’t foolish enough to go that route. The Chiefs should make a move for a solid veteran in free agency or via trade and also invest a high draft selection at the position as well.

That said, it would be interesting to see if Wanogho is given a real opportunity to compete for that coveted swing tackle role. If you see the Chiefs forgo a vet signing like last year’s with Geron Christian, it’s a good indication that they really like what Wanogho has turned into.