KC Chiefs visit with 'underrated' tackle option in 2024 NFL Draft

When it comes to the 2024 NFL Draft, there are a few projections concerning the Kansas City Chiefs made by most fans or analysts making their own mocks or discussing needs. Mainly, it's the belief that the Chiefs will either reach for a wide receiver or offensive tackle or both in the first couple of rounds in April's event.

Specifically at the latter position, the Chiefs allowed Donovan Smith to become a free agent after starting the majority of games there. Wanya Morris is a still unproven option for the long term and Lucas Niang has done nothing coming into his contract year. With only Jawaan Taylor penciled into a starting role, the Chiefs offense has room for a serious contender on the left side.

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of several teams checking in on a tackle out of the Big Ten.

Left tackle has been a source of concern for Brett Veach for a few years, ever since Eric Fisher went down with an Achilles injury late in the postseason during the team's attempt at a second Super Bowl win in this modern era. After losing Fisher to injury, the Chiefs pulled off a blockbuster trade to employ Orlando Brown before going forward with the combo of Smith and Morris in '23.

This year, names like Kingsley Suamataia, Tyler Guyton, or Aquarius Mims are often linked to the Chiefs near the end of the first round and others like Yale's Kiran Amegadjie enter the picture in the second. However, it seems like the Chiefs are exploring the position further than the obvious candidates with the latest reports of a pre-draft visit.

Penn State left tackle Caedan Wallace is drawing considerable interest as an "underrated" prospect in this year's draft class, according to Justin Melo of the Draft Network. Melo also states the Chiefs are visiting with Wallace with one of their allowed 30 official pre-draft visits.

Wallace started games over the course of four seasons at right tackle for the Nittany Lions but it's hard to stand out when your teammate is left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu—considered one of the draft's best overall prospects at any position. Wallace looks the part at 6'5", 314 lbs. with 34-inch arms.

Some scouts are projecting him as a potential guard, but that would also play into a need for the Chiefs as Trey Smith nears free agency next year. The Chiefs also lost Nick Allegretti as a super sub inside to free agency this spring after he signed a multi-year deal with the Washington Commanders.