Chiefs 7-round mock draft features huge trade with bitter rivals
By Matt Conner
Round 3 (No. 95) - Mason McCormick, IOL, South Dakota State
We can hear the questions already: Interior offensive line? Really? Yes, really.
Think of this: This offseason, the prices for even above average guards started to skyrocket as teams are paying premiums to improve their offensive front. After watching Robert Hunt get $20M per season, it didn't take long for Chiefs Kingdom to realize that guys like Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey are both scheduled to make loads of money in 2025.
With Smith and Humphrey either waiting on pricey extensions or hitting the open market, it makes sense to start to control some costs along the line. Joe Thuney is already in place making $26M per year through '25. Let's also remain aware that Nick Allegretti, the team's uber-tough super-sub left for the Washington Commanders in free agency.
That means there's a need for some security in the short term and a potential replacement in the long term at a guard position, which is why we were so glad to see Mason McCormick sitting here near the end of the third round.
McCormick comes with plenty of starting experience (57 straight starts) at South Dakota State and turned heads at the Shrine Bowl by dominating there as well. At 6'4", 310 lbs., his powerful center makes him a better run blocker at this point but the Chiefs are used to leaning on young maulers in the middle and developing them.
McCormick would be a real asset inside for both the present and future up front.