The Kansas City Chiefs continue to meet with prospects via video chat ahead of the 2020 NFL draft.
This time, the team is interested in improving the protection for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. On Wednesday, Kansas City spoke at length with Houston’s athletic offensive tackle prospect Josh Jones according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.
The 6-5 and 319-pound left tackle was a dominant pass-blocker for the Cougars, allowing a total of four pressures during the 2019 season according to Pro Football Focus. During the pre-draft process, he was a standout performer at the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl, showing the ability to finish his blocks better than any of the other tackles in attendance. He also showed the ability to get to the second level in the run game.
#Houston OT Josh Jones was able to make private visits w/ the #Titans & #Bears prior to COVID-19.
Here's a list of teams he's met w/ via FaceTime: #Jets, #Ravens, #Packers, #Vikings, #Buccaneers, #Colts, #Cardinals, #Chargers, #Bears, #Patriots, #Eagles, #Broncos & #Chiefs.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 8, 2020
Jones was the No. 28 overall player in my recent prospect rankings. He reminds me of current Houston Texans OT Tytus Howard, who was a riser out of Alabama State after a strong performance at the 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Howard ended up being selected at No. 23 overall in 2019, which gives me the feeling that Jones is absolutely in play for the Chiefs at pick No. 32. After all, offensive tackles are among the most coveted players in football. There’s bound to be a player who shows upside that ends up in the latter half of the first round.
Why would the Chiefs be looking for an offensive tackle when they already have two bookends in Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz? Well, remember, Fisher missed eight games this season due to injury. Schwartz also missed the first snap of his career in 2019.
Apart from the injury insurance, Kansas City can save money on the tackle group in 2021. If they cut Fisher they’ll save $11 million against the salary cap. With a monster contract coming eventually for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, It’d make a whole lot of sense to grab and groom a young successor now. That way, they’ll be ready to take over at left tackle in 2021.
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