Grading the Jawaan Taylor signing for the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City City Chiefs have their new left tackle in Jawaan Taylor. What is our instant grade for this signing?

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor on the first day of free agency. As it stands Taylor is likely to be Kansas City’s new left tackle.

It is still very early in this phase of the offseason. Questions remain for defensive end, right tackle, and the status of a Chris Jones extension. However, let’s focus on your newest member of the Chiefs. Here are a couple of things to consider as we grade the splash signing.

The pros of signing Jawaan Taylor

• Athleticism – Taylor has been known as an athlete prior to being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. NFL.com described in their prospect profile “adequate foot quickness for pass-protection duties” and “his feet are good enough to slide out on speed rushers and redirect them past the pocket.”
• Production – Jawaan Taylor has played, and started, every game thus far in his four-year career. He has proven to be durable and significant to the Jaguars’ success this past season. Per CBS Sports Jeff Kerr “Jawaan Taylor had the third-lowest pressure rate allowed (2.5%) among tackles last season. Only Tristan Wirfs and Lane Johnson were better.”
• System – There will be some familiarity when looking at the switch of schemes. Taylor played under Doug Pederson who is from the Andy Reid coaching tree. The gap in terminology shouldn’t be too wide. This also means Taylor is comfortable with pass protection.
• Age – At 25 years old, Kansas City is getting a player who is entering the prime years of his career.

The questions of signing Jawaan Taylor

• Position – Jawaan Taylor has played on the right side of the offensive line his entire NFL career. All but 2 games of his collegiate career were also at right tackle. Will Taylor be athletic enough to make the transition?
• Upgrade – Taylor is replacing a player at left tackle who received an abundance of recognition. Orlando Brown Jr. is a 4-time Pro Bowler. Will he make life easier or tougher on his new quarterback Patrick Mahomes?
• Ceiling – Taylor has been a starter since being taken 35th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. He definitely has the tools to succeed in a more prominent position. For this signing to pay off, Taylor will have to become at least a Pro Bowl-level left tackle. Can he continue to excel and consistently play at a high level?
• Size – At 6’5 and 312 lbs. Jawaan Taylor will be a less intimidating physical presence than Orlando Brown Jr. His predecessor was taller by 3 inches and outweighed him by almost 30 pounds.

Instant Grade: B+

The Chiefs may have found the recipe for maneuvering under the salary cap. If Jawaan Taylor becomes one of the top left tackles in the NFL, then $20 million per year is a bargain. Kansas City must have done their homework on this move. The willingness to let Orlando Brown Jr. leave without tagging him another year means that Taylor was their guy long before the first day of free agency.

Protecting Patrick Mahomes remains the priority. Taylor has great feet and combines his athleticism with power. This was a good signing that could prove to be another shrewd move by Brett Veach and company. The only reason to not give it an A grade is that there are lingering questions remaining for right tackle, defensive end, and a rumored Chris Jones extension.