KC Chiefs haven't made a major draft selection at tackle in a long time

Things just haven't been the same since Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz went downs s.

Over the last few seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have found ways to make significant investments at the offensive tackle position—from trading away high-level draft assets to spending substantial money on free agents. But what's interesting to note that is using an early draft pick on a tackle has not been a part of the mix.

In fact, no team in the NFL has gone longer without taking an offensive tackle in the first or second round than the Chiefs.

The last time the Chiefs selected an OT in the first two rounds of the draft was back when they used the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft on Central Michigan's Eric Fisher. From there, Fisher was the bookend for the next 8 seasons while free agent signee Mitchell Schwartz occupied the right tackle role for several seasons as well.

In 2021, all of that changed for the Chiefs. With Schwartz sidelined by back issues and Fisher facing major rehab on an Achilles injury, the Chiefs had to reset at both positions. From there, the Chiefs turned to free agency (Trent Williams attempted signing, Jawaan Taylor, Donovan Smith) or trading draft picks (Orlando Brown Jr.) or using smid-round selections (Lucas Niang, Wanya Morris).

Interestingly enough, the Chiefs haven't touched a first- or second-round tackle since '13—which is one more year than the Indianapolis Colts (2014), two years more than the L.A. Rams (2015) and three seasons more than the Green Bay Packers or Baltimore Ravens (2016).

This could be the year that streak is broken. The Chiefs are often linked to offensive tackles in mock drafts in the early rounds due to a perceived roster need as well as an abundance of intriguing prospects—guys who could be available when the Chiefs are on the clock like Tyler Guyton, Kingsley Suamataia, or Aquarius Mims.