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The Kansas City Chiefs scored one of the best interior offensive linemen in the league during the 2021 NFL free agency period.
The left guard spot has been a bottomless pit of despair in Kansas City since Andy Reid’s arrival back in 2013. They’ve struggled to get consistency out of any one player at the position. In a year following a meltdown on the offensive line in Super Bowl LV, the Chiefs prioritized adding a smart, durable and versatile player at the position in Joe Thuney. He’ll help anchor a rebuilt offensive line for the Chiefs, with a goal of keeping star QB Patrick Mahomes clear of pressure. He’ll also bring some added juice and athleticism to the run game.
But where does Thuney rank among the NFL’s best offensive guards heading into the 2021 season? Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield recently sought to answer that question, ranking the 11 best offensive guards in the league. Thuney came in at No. 3 in Schofield’s rankings, and as a New England fan himself, he’s struggling to come to grips with this talented former Patriot playing for the Chiefs.
“. . .during his time in New England Thuney grew into an elite offensive guard. Few Patriots fans will ever forget his effort against Aaron Donald in Super Bowl LIII. And last season, as the offense went through a transition, Thuney was a steady force in the interior. The Patriots implement a varied run scheme, with a mix of both zone and gap/power concepts, and Thuney can handle them all.
Yet in today’s NFL we all know passing is king, and Thuney is stout in pass protection. He has the awareness and experience to identify twists and stunts up front, and the power, technique and lower-body strength necessary to win many one-on-one matchups.”
The two players to come in ahead of Thuney are Dallas Cowboys OG Zach Martin and Indianapolis Colts OG Quenton Nelson, who are both well-deserving. Perhaps after a season of holding things down in Kansas City, Thuney can ascend these rankings and earn the top spot in 2022.
Be sure to head over to Touchdown Wire and check out the full story, complete with clips and commentary on each of the players listed by Schofield.
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