Draft discussions generally come down to two things: the ranking of prospects versus another or the ranking of positions worth addressing. But one of the bigger debates regarding the Kansas City Chiefs and the 2026 NFL Draft is about whether or not a position needs to be addressed at all—at least in the first round.
The legitimacy of whether or not the Chiefs should address offensive tackle early has been bandied about by team-specific or national media for several weeks now. Some mock drafts have given K.C. a prospect like Spencer Fano of Utah at No. 9. Other analysts can't believe tackle is even in the conversation for such a rare top-10 pick for the Chiefs.
But part of the conversation about tackle comes down to how K.C. internally views their first-round prospect from last year. At No. 32 overall in the 2025 edition, general manager Brett Veach submitted a draft card with Josh Simmons' name on it in the hopes that he would be healthy and ready to take over long-term as Patrick Mahomes' blindside protector. One year later, some still aren't sure about how to view him.
Josh Simmons remains the swing factor in the tackle debate
In a recent episode of The Schrager Hour, The Athletic's Dane Brugler, former Titans GM Ran Carthon, and ESPN's Field Yates sat down for a full round one mock draft. Schrager himself handled responsibilities for the Chiefs' second selection in the round, and here's what he came up with.
"I would have loved to have gotten a playmaker of some sort—wide receiver or tight end. I don’t know if there’s one that’s here. We already took a defensive back in taking [Mansoor] Delane early at ninth overall. It’s not going to wow the folks at home, and Chiefs fans might not love this, but with the 29th overall pick, the Kansas City Chiefs select Caleb Lomu, offensive tackle out of Utah.
"Just more offensive line help. We know this is a position that they’ve invested in a bunch, and they’ve hit with a bunch of them in Creed Humphrey and, of course, with Trey Smith. But I’m not sure on Josh Simmons, their pick from a year ago, and I’m not sure they have the depth, so Caleb Lomu, who’s not as famous or as well-regarded as his teammate Spencer Fano, I think he also goes first round."
If Simmons is still a question, tackle stays on the table
Simmons played a half-season last year for the Chiefs, missing four games due an injury and another four for personal reasons. The reasons for his personal absence were never divulged, which is fine, but given that his final season at Ohio State ended with a serious injury as well, there's a cloud of uncertainty around Simmons after year one that makes some folks uneasy. It also makes other draft Lomu in the first round.
For those who are confident in Simmons' ability to be "the guy" for the Chiefs going forward, then the idea of another tackle feels silly. There's already an investment in Jaylon Moore at right tackle and some depth in Esa Pole and Wanya Morris on the roster even after releasing Jawaan Taylor. But if Simmons is still a mystery, the Chiefs can add tackle to the long list of positions worth addressing in the first round.
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