Why the Chiefs should be eyeing a right tackle (not a left) in the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and fans are now being bombarded with mock drafts and predictions. One of the most common predictions for the Kansas City Chiefs has been them taking an offensive tackle in the first round. The idea is that they need a long-term solution on the left side because the recently signed Jaylon Moore may not be the answer. However, I think the "experts" may be focused on the wrong side of the offensive line.

While Jaylon Moore isn't a lock to be the Chiefs' starting left tackle in 2026, KC's right tackle, Jawaan Taylor, is almost guaranteed to be cut after this season. Taylor has failed to live up to the monster contract he signed with the Chiefs. He's been adequate in pass protection but is not a good run blocker and has had major issues with penalties since arriving in Kansas City. Taylor's cap hit in 2026 is a staggering $27.4 million (third-highest on the team). KC can clear $20 million of that by cutting Taylor after this season.

Even if Jaylon Moore were to struggle this season as KC's left tackle, his cap hit in 2026 is $18.7 million ($9 million less than Taylor), and KC would only save $8 million of that by cutting him ($12 million less than Taylor). It's possible that KC won't want Moore at left tackle next season, but that's an unknown. What is a safe bet is that KC will need a new starting right tackle. So I don't understand why so many have left tackle as a bigger need than right.

The other thing to factor in is that this isn't an outstanding offensive tackle class. Yes, K.C. has been mocked tackles like Josh Simmons and Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round, but if I'm being honest, I don't think those players are likely to be the actual best players available when the Chiefs pick at No. 31. They'd be fine picks there, but I think there may be more talented options at other positions. So my argument is that KC would be better off taking a higher-talent player at pick No. 31 and drafting a player to groom to replace Jawaan Taylor later in the draft.

While this draft class may not have elite, top-end left tackle prospects, there are a few intriguing right tackle prospects that could be had in the late third or fourth round who fit what the Chiefs typically look for in their tackles. You can read more about the different tackle options for the Chiefs throughout the draft in Price Carter's recent piece, but my favorite tackle options are Cameron Williams of Texas and Logan Brown of Kansas. Here's a short profile of each of those two.

Cameron Williams - Texas - Scouting Report

Age: 21 (when drafted)

Height: 6'6" (combine)

Weight: 317 pounds (combine), 334 pounds (pro day)

Arm Length: 34 1/2 inches (combine)

Wingspan: 84.5 inches (combine)

Hands: 11 3/8 inches (combine)

Cameron Williams is a big, long, hulking offensive tackle who is just 21 years old. He started one season at Texas, playing at right tackle. His film is very uneven. He shows the size, length, and power to be an NFL starter and has enough mobility to both push rushers along the arc and get to the second level in the run game. His footwork and technique need a lot of work, but this is a player with the physical tools to start in the NFL.

Williams looks like Andy Reid designed him at the offensive line factory to his ideal specifications. He will likely never be a truly elite pass blocker, but he already shows the ability to give rushers problems getting around his size and length, and he has the strength and anchor for it to be hard to get through him. The Chiefs haven't succeeded in developing a starting tackle recently, but if they want to take another shot at it, Williams looks like he's a perfect fit for what they'd look for in Taylor's replacement.

Logan Brown - Kansas - Scouting Report

Age: 24 (when drafted)

Height: 6'6" (combine)

Weight: 311 (combine)

Arm Length: 33 7/8 inches (combine)

Wingspan: 84 inches (combine)

Hands: 10 inches (combine)

Logan Brown is one of the players that KC took a look at during their local pro day. Like Williams, he's a raw player with only one season of real starting experience. Unlike Williams, Logan is older, but still shows some intriguing promise. Brown has a much better athletic profile than Williams. If you take a look at his Raw Athletic Score (RAS) numbers you'll see that he finished at or above the 90th percentile for offensive tackles dating back to 1987 in his broad jump, vertical jump, shuttle time, and 10 yard split in the 40. Plus he can anchor (when his technique is right) and has the power to move people in the run game.

Brown played well overall in his one season starting for the Jayhawks. There is definitely work to be done on his technique and footwork. He also tends to play too upright and needs to consistently get lower to create better leverage, but players with his physical skills don't come around every day. You can see in the post below how the combination of his athletic profile and performance last season set him above any other prospects predicted to be drafted in his range.

Brown isn't a sure thing, but he'd be a great developmental prospect to take a chance on in the third or fourth round. His arms may be 1/8 of an inch shorter than KC's preferred 34-inch mark, but because of his broad shoulders, his wingspan is still up there near the top of this draft class. Brown is officially my mid-round offensive line draft crush for this class.

So while most of the national NFL media is focused on pairing the Chiefs with a new left tackle—regardless of whether that player is the best available on the board—I think KC would be better served targeting one of these players to eventually replace Jawaan Taylor two or three rounds later. Not only do I think it allows them to get the best value for their picks this season, but it fills the tackle position that is more likely to be open next season. That's a win-win situation for the Chiefs.

You can check out some of my other draft related content below.

• Chiefs draft focus should be on the future, not 2025
• Devin Neal Scouting Report
• Bhayshul Tuten Scouting Report
• The Chiefs don't NEED a first round defensive tackle