ESPN reporter Mike Clay recently released his updated NFL offensive line rankings, grading each team's starting offensive line both individually and as a whole unit. This annual ranking often raises eyebrows and leaves fans on all sides frustrated with their team's ranking. While almost anyone may be frustrated with their team's ranking, the grades for the Chiefs' offensive line feel misguided.
Clay placed the Chiefs' offensive line unit at 23rd overall and issued the following grades for the Chiefs' offensive linemen individually:
- Josh Simmons - 5.7
- Kingsley Suamataia - 4.9
- Creed Humphrey - 8.7
- Trey Smith - 6.9
- Jaylon Moore - 3.7
A 5.0 grade is generally considered average, and some of these rankings feel way off. The first is Kingsley Suamataia, a former second-round pick who is new to the guard position but dominated there in 2025. Suamataia was one of the NFL's best guards last season, and calling him a below-average starter doesn't feel even remotely accurate.
Kingsley Suamataia punishing the jumper
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) October 13, 2025
Also, Jaylon Moore was worth every penny as a swing tackle pic.twitter.com/kXdoLIQGVx
Right tackle is the major weak spot for the Chiefs' offensive line, and everyone knows it. Jaylon Moore has looked much better in his career at left tackle than at right, and it is reasonable to have doubts as he takes on his first season as a full-time starter. But it is hard to imagine that Moore, someone who has been a successful NFL tackle at this point in his career, deserves to be graded as the second-worst starting offensive tackle in the league.
Josh Simmons was one of my favorite prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft when the Chiefs grabbed him at the end of the first round. Simmons only played in a very limited capacity last season, but when he was on the field, he was incredibly successful and looked like a franchise cornerstone for the Chiefs. Assuming these ratings don't account for injuries or availability, 5.7 feels low for Simmons as well.
Josh Simmons' snatch-🪤 technique putting rushers on their face x 6 in Week 12 pic.twitter.com/abN6qVHMEw
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 24, 2025
Creed Humphrey gets the respect he deserves; as the clear-cut best center in the NFL, he earns that title in these rankings. Trey Smith also gets some love, being graded as one of the NFL's top guards. When you look at all the offensive lines in the NFL, it is easy to argue that the Chiefs have the best interior offensive line in the league, something that was not reflected in these ratings, specifically with Kingsley Suamataia.
The final ratings have the Chiefs listed below teams like the Giants, Raiders, and Panthers, which, simply put, is ludicrous. Kingsley Suamataia is primed for a breakout this season, and even if he repeats his performance from the 2025 season, he should be graded as a well-above-average guard in the league.
Across the league, the Chiefs have one of the best OL units in the NFL, especially on the interior. Clay's rankings simply do not reflect the value held by Chiefs offensive linemen, and regardless of where you stand as a fan, it feels like a near consensus that the Chiefs' unit was vastly underrated. Chiefs offensive linemen are ready to prove that they are not given the respect they deserve and could be slated to turn a lot of heads this season.
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