Here’s a look at some of the offensive tackles the #Chiefs could consider adding in each round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Offensive tackle remains a big need for Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 NFL draft.
The addition of Jawaan Taylor only fills one vacancy among starters with Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie both finding new teams this offseason. The team could keep their fingers crossed that Lucas Niang stays healthy and can contribute opposite Taylor, but they’re highly likely to make an addition during the course of the draft.
We continue our 2022 season previews with the offensive tackles
The 2022 season is less than a month away and it’s time to get excited Vikings fans.
In a similar vein to how fans felt when Mike Zimmer took over for Leslie Frazier, the excitement is palpable for the beginning of the Kevin O’Connell era.
While the team prepares for the season, we are doing the same at the Vikings Wire. We will be producing previews breaking down both each position and the team as a whole.
Today, we continue with our preview series by talking about the offensive tackles.
Offenses rely heavily on the pass protectors in order to be able to execute their plays. If the edge rushers get into the backfield, it doesn’t matter how open the receivers get, the quarterback isn’t getting the ball to them.
The common theme in the AFC West seems to be quality left tackles, with less talent at the right tackle spot. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, after all.
1. Denver Broncos
Starters: LT Garrett Bolles, RT Billy Turner
After some troubles early in his career, Bolles has become one of the best tackles in football. He was second-team All-Pro a season ago and was still among the highest-rated tackles this season. Meanwhile, Billy Turner has quietly played pretty well at right tackle, giving up just three sacks last season.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Starters: LT Orlando Brown Jr, RT Lucas Niang
Brown headed to his third straight Pro Bowl last season, his first with the Chiefs since they acquired him in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. He gave up just four sacks last season. On the other side, Niang has taken ahold of the right tackle job and performed pretty well over nine starts last season. The 2020 third-round pick gave up just two sacks from the right side.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
Starters: LT Rashawn Slater, RT Trey Pipkins
As a rookie first-round pick, Slater headed to the Pro Bowl. That says all you need to know about his talent level. There is some uncertainty on the other side, but Pipkins looked fairly good in two late-season starts — giving up no sacks — that if they decide to go with him, they could feel confident in doing so.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Starters: LT Kolton Miller, RT Alex Leatherwood
Miller can hang with the best in the division at left tackle. There’s no question about that. But there are serious questions about the other side. Leatherwood has been lining up there throughout the offseason after playing himself out of a job four games into last season. It’s no certainty he continues to be the first-team right tackle, but the fact that he’s been lining up there so far says there aren’t any great options there.
Raiders are about to add $20 million in spending cash and there are still a lot of great right tackle options on the market
We tend to think of free agency having a couple of waves that happen back in March. But there’s another wave that is building strength as we speak. This one crashes on the shore on June 1.
This offseason the Raiders made a few cuts, some to save cap money, some to simply let go of unproductive players. A couple of those cuts left a scar — specifically the releases of Cory Littleton and Carl Nassib.
But in order to limit the bleeding in the short term, they gave those players a post-June 1 cut designation. This means that after June 1, a large portion of the dead money they left behind is moved to next year’s cap, which in turn frees up that money right now.
It’s no small amount, either. The Raiders will see their available money under the cap go up nearly $20 million after June 1 — $19.75 to be exact — raising it from the current available amount of around $5 million to over $25 million.
One position of great need for the Raiders this offseason which they have not sufficiently addressed is offensive tackle — right tackle specifically. And, as it turns out, there are actually still a lot of solid starting options out there, presumably waiting for this day so teams will have the funds to offer them a suitable salary.
Here’s a look at some of the offensive tackles the Chiefs could take in each round of the draft.
Offensive tackle is the one position with the most glaring need for the Kansas City Chiefs. That comes after the team decided to release veteran starters Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, who were both in the final years of their contracts and recovering from injury.
The team failed to make any significant moves in free agency to address either position, but they’re not without options on the roster. Mike Remmers, Kyle Long, Andrew Wylie and Lucas Niang have been floated as options by the team.
With a half-billion invested in starting QB Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs would be wise to invest some more draft capital in getting him some proper protection. They could be looking to make those investments as early as the first round, but throughout the draft as well.
Here’s a look at some of the players they could consider adding in each round of the 2021 NFL draft:
There’s reportedly not much consensus around the league in terms of offensive tackle rankings.
The Kansas City Chiefs still have a clear need at the offensive tackle position after missing out on some top players in free agency.
The 2021 NFL draft class is considered to be loaded with offensive line talent at the tackle position, but opinions on the different players within the draft class are polarizing, to say the least. According to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, personnel executives agree that this is a good draft class for the offensive line, but he says the rankings around the league are, “all over the map.”
Now, it’s not prolific to say that different teams value players differently. Obviously, scheme fit and other things come into consideration. That’s usually a given in any year of the NFL draft. But to have such variance in rankings around the league that the No. 3 OT for some teams is No. 7 for other teams, well that seems rather unique and it presents a big challenge for Kansas City.
Most NFL personnel execs really like this OL class but the rankings are all over the map. The 3rd OT for one team might be the 6th or 7th for another.
Jeremiah noted that No. 1 and No. 2 for most teams are near-universal with some combination of Oregon’s Penei Sewell and Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater. The Chiefs would have to manufacture a big trade-up in order to land either of those players. From there, that’s where the rankings get tricky.
Part of it stems from the fact that there’s a strong belief that some of the top tackles would do better at guard at the next level. Jeremiah used Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood as an example, saying that some teams see a top-40 pick, while others value him in Day 3.
The bottom line here is that Kansas City has to go into the draft knowing what they want, but also knowing what every other team wants out of the tackle position. That’s not always the easiest thing to do, especially when you have some new first-time general managers and some teams that make some questionable draft decisions.
I also keep coming back to what Veach told reporters ahead of the free agency period.
“Really from rounds one through three, one through four and they’ll go quick even if there are numbers there,” Veach told reporters of offensive linemen in early March. “By the time you blink your eyes, you’ll get into the middle or late round two, all those numbers that you saw that we joke about every year, ‘wow there’s so many linemen’, but when you take 31 or 32 every year, by the time you get to 31, they’re all gone. That’s just the way it works, but just want to share from a numbers standpoint, I think the offensive line is really deep. . . .”
Given the variance in offensive tackle rankings across the league, it really makes you wonder if the Chiefs won’t be more aggressive going after the player they want. That could mean trading up or targeting a player at the end of the first round who might be considered a “reach” by the media. Whatever the case, Brett Veach certainly has his work cut out for him when it comes to landing some blindside protection for Patrick Mahomes.
Shane Carter of Longhorns Wire listed his top offensive tackle prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Offensive tackle is a premiere position that every team needs that you can never have too many of. Luckily enough for NFL organizations this year, not only is it a deep position in this draft, but we could end up seeing day one starters selected as late as the fifth round. Continue reading “2021 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 offensive tackle prospects”
CBS Sports released their preseason All-American team. The Longhorns have two players listed among the first and second team.
There are less than 21 days away from the Texas Longhorns officially kicking off the 2020 college football season. All of the watchlist have been announced. The Amway Coaches Poll and AP Poll have released their preseason rankings and now each media outlet is putting together their preseason All-American lists. CBS Sports recently released their first and second team All-Americans.
For the Player of the yYear selection, no surprise here at Trevor Lawrence was named as the winner. However, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger also received votes for the honor. Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard was the only other Big 12 player named as receiving votes.
In terms of coach of the year, former Longhorns head coach Mack Brown was named along with TCU’s Gary Patterson. Provided the Longhorns have a big season and contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff, expect to hear Tom Herman’s name when the time comes for awards.
First Team All-American
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
For the lone Longhorn named to the first team we have offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi. Cosmi has been receiving NFL Draft buzz as well as second team All-American honors. This time Ehlinger’s blindside protector gets the first team nod. Cosmi has performed better and better each season. Plus if you need a touchdown pass from the big guy, you know he is good for at least one.
Second Team All-American
Image courtesy of Texas Sports
Sam Ehlinger comes in as the second team’s quarterback. The senior has been placed on almost every watchlist when it comes to top offensive player and quarterback awards. Many feel he is even a Heisman contender this season. With a strong showing, the Austin Native could be a finalist for the award. Lawrence will obviously be the front runner.
Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez releases his scouting reports and rankings for the top-20 offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL Draft.
To get you guys ready for the 2020 NFL Draft, I’ve been hard at work at putting together a draft guide that will serve as a one-stop shop as to how hundreds of college prospects fit with the Chargers and how I think they will project at the next level all together.
I’m putting the final details to the guide and am aiming to release it in the next few days. But while I do that, I wanted to give you all a sneak peak as to what’s inside.
With that, here are my rankings and reports for the top-20 offensive tackles in the upcoming draft:
Ranking
Player
College
Round
OT1
Jedrick Wills
Alabama
1
OT2
Tristan Wirfs
Iowa
1
OT3
Mekhi Becton
Louisville
1
OT4
Andrew Thomas
Georgia
1
OT5
Josh Jones
Houston
1-2
OT6
Ezra Cleveland
Boise State
1-2
OT7
Austin Jackson
USC
1-2
OT8
Ben Bartch
St. John’s
2
OT9
Lucas Niang
TCU
2
OT10
Isaiah Wilson
Georgia
2-3
OT11
Matt Peart
UConn
3
OT12
Prince Tega Wanogho
Auburn
3
OT13
Saahdiq Charles
LSU
3-4
OT14
Hakeem Adeniji
Kansas
4
OT15
Jack Driscoll
Auburn
4-5
OT16
Tyre Phillips
Mississippi State
5-6
OT17
Charlie Heck
North Carolina
6
OT18
Alex Taylor
South Carolina State
6
OT19
Trey Adams
Washington
6-7
OT20
Yasir Durant
Missouri
7
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
1. Jedrick Wills Jr. | Alabama | #74 | Junior | Lexington, KY | 6042 | 312
40-Yard Dash: 5.05 seconds
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches
Broad Jump: 113 inches
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.84 seconds
Career: Strictly played right tackle for the Tide. Started 29 games for Alabama in three years with the program.
Red Flags: N/A
Strengths: Uses a quick kick step to get into his sets. Displays sound footwork to mirror outside speed rushers. Slides laterally and moves feet in all directions with ease. Bends the knees and sinks hips. Maintains leverage and positioning throughout the play. Patient, coordinated movements. Shoots hands with tenacity, controlling opponents’ movements. Sets up run blocks with a quick first step out of his stance. Keeps pads low and can deliver some movement on first contact. Can pick up blocks on the move and stun with a striking punch. High football IQ and aware blocker. Recognizes stunts and blitzers. Nasty competitor.
Weaknesses: Base can get too wide in pass protection. Hands can wonder, leaving his chest open at times. Tries to go for the home run punch at times. Susceptible to inside moves.
Final Word: Wills is a good athlete who is light on his feet with impressive play strength and a competitive demeanor in the running game to overwhelm his opponents, but will need to continue to refine his hands in pass protection, projecting as a starting right tackle with All-Pro upside.
Fit Likelihood: Medium
2. Tristan Wirfs | Iowa | #74 | Junior | Mount Vernon, IA | 6047 | 320
40-Yard Dash: 4.85 seconds
Bench Press: 24 reps
Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches
Broad Jump: 121 inches
3-Cone Drill: 7.65 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.68 seconds
Career: First true freshman starter in Kirk Ferentz era. Started 33 games (28 at right tackle, 5 at left tackle).
Red Flags: Arrested for DWI in 2018 and suspended for a season opener. Cited for being underage at a bar in 2019.
Strengths: NFL caliber build and very impressive movement skills. Shows a high football IQ at tackle. Powerful finisher and shows impressive toughness on the edge against power moves and in the run game. Light on his feet—a dancing bear—and is able to slide laterally or get depth with his kick-step. Balance and length are pluses to his game, and he can get low and play with leverage in the run game as needed. Heavy hands and punches with great placement at the chest. Athleticism and nasty streak at the second level.
Weaknesses:Doesn’t always bend naturally at the knees, and he tries to use his length to reach and often overextends at his base, leading to a lunge against speed rushers. Can use his head and shoulders to absorb contact.
Final Word: Even though his lack of length has some projecting him to kick inside, Wirfs is a freakish athlete who possesses solid movement skills, lower-body strength to move bodies in the run game, refined hands and very good competitive toughness projecting as a long-term starting tackle or guard.
Fit Likelihood: High
3. Mekhi Becton | Louisville | #73 | Junior | Highland Springs, VA | 6073 | 364
40-Yard Dash: 5.10 seconds
Bench Press: 23 reps
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Career: Started as a true freshman for the Cardinals. Started over 30 games during his college career.
Red Flags: N/A
Strengths: A long, massive, unbelievably huge person. Wins with power and athleticism. Can beat defenders up with his size and will get low to push through defenders and bulldoze them out of the play. Exceptionally nimble feet to get depth when moving laterally. He uses his size well and can win with length on the corner. Mauler in the run game, will eat up defenders when climbing to the second level.
Weaknesses: Needs to monitor weight over professional career. Weight control over the course of his career. Does carry it and move well, but you want that number to continue to creep lower, not higher for the sake of conditioning purposes. Can lean into contact, forcing him to lose balance. Doesn’t consistently use proper hand techniques.
Final Word: Becton is a large blocker who is an excellent pass protector and run-blocker, possessing a rare combination of power and athleticism, but he will need to refine his hand technique in pass protection and clean up some overaggressive tendencies, projecting as a solid starter at left or right tackle.
Fit Likelihood: High
4. Andrew Thomas | Georgia | #71 | Junior | Lithonia, GA | 6051 | 315
40-Yard Dash: 5.22 seconds
Bench Press: 21 reps
Vertical Jump: 30.5 inches
Broad Jump: 109 inches
3-Cone Drill: 7.58 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.66 seconds
Career: Started 41 career games while garnering all-American honors in 2018 and 2019. Stepped in as a true freshman at right tackle for the Bulldogs.
Red Flags: Dealt with a minor ankle injury in 2018 but hasn’t missed time on the field.
Strengths: Solid size and athleticism. Good initial quickness. Can get to and block effectively at the second level. Flashes violence in his initial hand punch to control defenders. Good recoil and settle in pass protection. Can absorb the bull rush and anchor effectively. Flashes foot quickness and balance on the perimeter and in space.
Weaknesses: Oversets in pass block, inconsistent knee bend. Hands can get too wide. Flashes nastiness, but needs to play with more consistency. Overextends at times, often losing balance.
Final Word: Thomas is a high-end athlete who possesses adequate footwork, heavy hands, intelligence and toughness to make an impact as a pass protector and run-blocker, but he needs to clean up the balance and mechanical issues, projecting as a starting tackle in a zone scheme.
Career: Started 45 games during his career. Stepped into the starting job as a redshirt freshman.
Red Flags: Dealt with minor injuries in 2017 and 2019 but never missed significant time.
Strengths: Gifted athlete. Effortless lateral quickness with light feet. Rarely allowed a rusher to wrap his outside shoulder, shutting down the corner on tape. Flexible hips to react to inside moves. Uses his length to meet rushers mid – shuffle. Aggressive run blocker, latching and running his feet. Mean streak and plays with an attitude. Doesn’t give up much ground. Athletic and does an adequate job getting into the second level.
Weaknesses: Clunky technique and often finds himself out of position. Needs to get stronger at the point of attack. Flat steps in his kick slide. Caught leaning and doesn’t have a firm grasp on timing. Needs to tighten up his punch and handwork, leaving his chest open for rushers and sustaining in the run game.
Final Word: Jones is a quick-footed blocker who possesses reactive athleticism, good body control, flexibility and the range and mobility to block in the open space, but there are concerns with his anchor and sustaining in the run game, projecting as a starting left tackle in a zone scheme.
According to ESPN’s draft predictor, Andrew Thomas has the highest percent chance of being available for the Jets with the 11th pick.
There’s a good chance the Jets will draft an offensive tackle with the 11th pick in just over a week. But which lineman has the best odds of going to New York?
According to ESPN’s draft predictor, Andrew Thomas has the highest chance of being available to the Jets at 53 percent. He’s followed by Jedrick Wills Jr. at 43 percent, Mekhi Becton at 25 percent and Tristan Wirfs at 6 percent.
This seems to be in accordance with most mock drafts, as many pundits believe that three offensive linemen will go before the 11th pick. There’s a chance that all four are gone by the time the Jets are on the clock, in which case they would take a receiver.
Trades could change everything, but right now, the Cardinals, Jaguars, Browns and even the Giants could take an offensive tackle with their first pick. Teams like the Buccaneers and Dolphins could also leapfrog the Jets in an attempt to get one of the top four offensive tackles in this draft.
ESPN believes that the Jets will have a shot at Thomas or Wills if they stay put at 11. Of course, the percent chance they have at acquiring any of the four tackles increases if they elect to trade up.
If Joe Douglas doesn’t see a tackle he likes, one of the draft’s top-three receivers, if not all of them, should be available at No. 11. It could come down to whether or not Douglas would rather have the fourth-best tackle or whoever the Jets view to be the draft’s best receiver.
