In the 66-year history of the Kansas City Chiefs, only once has the team taken an offensive lineman with their first pick in back-to-back NFL drafts. But could that really be about to happen for a second time? Well, if the thoughts of multiple draft analysts turn out to be correct, then the answer seems to be yes.
The Chiefs selected left tackle Josh Simmons with their first pick in last year's draft (pick 31 overall), and now, according to what seems to be a growing number of mock drafters, Kansas City could very likely look to bolster its O-line again as a top priority.
Just last week, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah had the Chiefs taking Spencer Fano, an offensive tackle from Utah, with the ninth overall pick in his mock draft. Ryan Wilson, Josh Edwards, and Pete Prisco from CBS Sports all have the Chiefs taking an OT with pick nine, too.
Personally, I hope they are all wrong.Â
I understand the logic. Doing whatever it takes to make sure Patrick Mahomes is protected is always going to be a good idea, and the Chiefs are suddenly thin when it comes to the tackle position after cutting Jawaan Taylor. Jaylen Moore is set to step into the starting RT role, but Kansas City is one injury away from having to turn to Esa Pole or Wanya Moris. That is … not ideal.
But even so, I don't agree that tackle is Kansas City's biggest need at the moment, or even in the top three when it comes to draft priorities. For me, edge, wide receiver, corner, and, heck, maybe even tight end are all bigger roster holes to fill for the Chiefs right now.
So when I saw Jeremiah's latest mock draft, I couldn't help but cringe. With the ninth overall pick, Kansas City has an opportunity to add a top-tier player and a game changer, and I think they'd be far better off lifting the floor at edge, wide receiver or corner than they would be topping up at tackle.
So, if not at nine, when should the Chiefs draft an offensive tackle?
Not with pick No. 9
Not in the first round. The idea just doesn’t sit well with me.
The Chiefs ranked 25th in the league in sacks last year and only had three defensive linemen record more than two sacks (Chris Jones, George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu). They just lost their two starting corners in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and 36-year-old Travis Kelce was Kansas City's leading receiver in 2025.
All of those things alarm me more than the situation at tackle, and I think the Chiefs should address at least two of those positions before turning their attention to the offensive line. That means picks nine and 29 should, in my opinion, be used on an edge, receiver or corner.
So when should the Chiefs go OT?
I could live with Kansas City going for a tackle in the second round with pick 40 overall (Kansas City's third draft selection), but I still might not love it. I'd rather see the Chiefs double dip at a position – take Rueben Bain Jr. and Zion Young or Chasius Howell at edge, or go Carnell Tate or Makai Lemon and Germie Benard at receiver – than have a tackle's name be on one of the first three draft cards K.C. hands in.
After that, I'm fine with drafting a tackle. The Chiefs have picks 70 (third round) and 109 (4th round), which I think is the O-line range they should be targeting. At that stage, I'd be fine with Kansas City trading up to try and grab a guy they liked too – but not until after pick 40.
Ultimately, I think Kansas City's decision-making should come down to what they need most, and I just don't see the offensive line being one of the first three answers.
Tackle might be a problem next season, but we know that edge, receiver and corner already are problems for the Chiefs right now. They didn't address any of those spots in free agency, which means they either have to in the draft, or they're going to run it back with the same players as last season.
Last year, we saw what happened when Kansas City chose not to fix a known problem and stick with the same guys at running back. The Chiefs didn't sign anyone of consequence and didn't commit any major draft capital into an RB, and we saw a stale, unexplosive run game as a result.
The Chiefs now face that exact same problem at three different positions in the same year, and I bloody well hope they're going to do something different about fixing it this time around.
Yes, protecting Mahomes is arguably the biggest priority, and yes, there is both a lack of depth at tackle and question marks over the players who will start on the left and right side. But the Chiefs simply have bigger shoes to fill elsewhere, and I hope they commit the best resources they have to doing so.