Chiefs Make Draft Move to Address Major Problem Area as Prospects Send Clear Message to Patrick Mahomes

Imagine a world where the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t have issues at left tackle. Who knows, we probably would have witnessed a 3-peat—instead of a Patrick Mahomes humiliation in the Super Bowl. Mahomes’ O-line protection collapsed like a Game of Thrones Season 8.  Like getting sacked 6 times when you are chasing a 4th Lombardi, created all sorts of problems for the Chiefs QB. At one point, it looked like Mahomes was just trying to get rid of the football just to avoid getting sacked. So, with a clear need to protect Mahomes’ blind side. The Chiefs are predicted to make a move for the Ohio State left tackle who is currently in rehab.

Josh Simmons tore his patellar tendon in his left knee back in October. And when he understood his season was over, Simmons declared for the NFL draft. Before suffering a season-ending injury, Simmons was almost certain to be picked high in this year’s draft. However, with concerns surrounding his recovery, last season’s CFB national championship winning left tackle may get drafted mid-way through the first round. See, the Chiefs have the No.31 overall pick. So, by the time they are on the clock, Simmons could be long gone. But it still didn’t stop them from formally meeting the Ohio state’s LT at the Combine.

Actually, it’s not like they can’t get Simmons at all. Some draft maneuver could help them land Simmons as their long-term solution at LT. Moving up the draft by giving up a pick or two could be enough to get Simmons. And you know what? They should probably go all-in if he is really the one being touted as the Chiefs solution at LT. Last season, the Chiefs started with young prospects like rookie Kingsley Suamataia (lasting two games) and second-year tackle Wanya Morris ( lasting 11 starts) for the LT job. However, none of them were able to impress as the Chiefs were forced to sign veteran Pro Bowler D.J. Humphries.

But that move for Humphries turned out to be a bust. Coming off a knee injury, Humphries only played 92 offensive snaps in the final 7 weeks. Then, of course, the Chiefs went with Joe Thuney at left tackle. Him changing positions led to a massive drop-off in the Chiefs’ giving up sacks. After week 15, they gave only 11 sacks, with 5 coming in week 18, when the Chiefs rested all of their starters. Yes, it had an instant impact on LT. However, there’s no way the Chiefs can continue with him in a position that wasn’t his to play in the first place.

Maybe that’s why the Chiefs could be obliged to pick a left tackle in the first round. And if not, they could select a few Patrick Mahomes fanboys once the draft comes along.

Young QBs can’t stop signing the praises of Patrick Mahomes

Whatever happened at the Super Bowl LIX can’t take away the fact that the Chiefs QB is once in a generation talent. 3 Lombardi’s from 5 Super Bowl trips before turning 30 is no way an easy feat to conquer. Yes, the 3-peat could have cemented his place as a GOAT alongside Tom Brady. However, there are still a lot of players who continue to admire Mahomes. Some of them even expressed their wish to start behind Mahomes just because of the learnings they could earn.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart referred to the example of Mahomes starting behind Alex Smith before bursting into the scene. “I think it’s something that you can go into a situation and learn as much as you can. A lot of times, when you’re in that situation or playing behind a veteran quarterback who’s had a ton of success and just knows a ton about the game…I think that a lot of times, you’ve seen some of the most successful quarterbacks come out of situations like that.” Like Dart wasn’t the only one who declared himself as a member of the Mahomes fan club.

When Alabama’s QB Jalen Milroe was asked about his favorite QB, the answer was pretty simple for him. “Pat Mahomes, for sure. Pat Mahomes is a great quarterback. I like him a lot.” Actually, Milroe, the thing is ‘great’ might be an understatement to define Mahomes. One word that could suit him better is ‘extraordinary.’ We would probably never witness a player like Mahomes in football. Someone who was born to run the show on the gridiron like a Showtime, he is.