Breaking down the Kansas City Chiefs draft options at offensive tackle
The 2024 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. While the Kansas City Chiefs already have a Super Bowl-contending roster, but there are a few spots where they still have significant questions. One of those is at offensive tackle.
To be more specific, left tackle, where last season's starter Donovan Smith is a free agent and their only other option Wanya Morris, is unproven. Could the loaded 2024 offensive tackle draft class provide the Chiefs with a long-term solution?
The answer to that question is complicated. Currently, the Chiefs don't have a dependable left tackle and have Jawaan Taylor at right tackle under contract for three more seasons, two of which are largely guaranteed. Originally there was talk of possibly moving Taylor to left tackle, but after the NFL cracked down on how Taylor lined up and timed the snap, it feels like the Chiefs would be wise to leave him at right tackle (where he was still a really good pass protector last season) and let him focus on cutting down the penalties.
If that is the approach that the Chiefs take with Taylor, then they are back to looking for help at left tackle. Wanya Morris could prove the long-term answer there, but the roster would be stronger if they found an even better option than Morris at left tackle and allowed last year's rookie (with his experience at both left and right tackle) to be their depth swing tackle.
Then the question becomes just how many tackle prospects are there in this draft that could be a better long-term option at left tackle than Morris?
If you'd like to see a great set of offensive tackle rankings, definitely check out Price Carter's list that he put out last week. I largely agree with his ranking order, so instead of putting out a very similar ranking list, I thought it might be more useful to categorize this tackle class so you can really see the true options for the Chiefs when it comes to finding a long term answer at left tackle.
Let's kick things off with the clear cut elite left tackle prospects.
Chiefs fans must be addicted to winning by now, and you can try and get your fix tonight thanks to FanDuel! You'll get $200 in extra bonus bets if you correctly predict the winner of any game tonight! Just sign up, deposit $10 or more and then bet $5 or more on any team to win. Click this link to sign up with FanDuel before this offer expires Tuesday!