Shutterstock
The Kansas City Chiefs have dominated the NFL in recent years, but they’ve got a blindside problem that just won’t go away. Despite hoisting multiple Lombardi trophies, the Chiefs have started five different left tackles in their five Super Bowl appearances over the last six seasons. It’s no coincidence that in both championship losses, their offensive line crumbled when it mattered most.
KC’s revolving door at left tackle continued last season. They signed Jaylon Moore this offseason, but he’s hardly a lock to solve their protection woes. Last year was a mess — they started with young tackle Wanya Morris, then tried rookie second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia when that didn’t work.
The experiment failed spectacularly.
When those options flamed out, Brett Veach took a desperate swing by bringing in veteran DJ Humphries. That move backfired too, eventually forcing the Chiefs to slide All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to left tackle — turning him from an elite interior lineman into a serviceable-at-best edge protector.
Veach Looking to Make Draft Day Move for Franchise Tackle
With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, the Chiefs aren’t standing pat with their current options. According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, Kansas City has been “actively looking to trade up” from their current spot at No. 31 overall. Their target? A potential franchise left tackle who can protect Patrick Mahomes for years to come.
Sources indicate the Chiefs want to leapfrog the Houston Texans at pick No. 25 — a team that could also be eyeing offensive line help. The timing makes sense, as the back half of the first round is where several quality tackle prospects should be available.
The elite tackle prospects — LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou — will likely be long gone before the 20s. That leaves Kansas City targeting either Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. or Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, both projected to come off the board in the final third of round one.
Conerly shows promise but comes with development needs. He struggles against power rushers and needs significant work on his hand technique and core strength — not ideal for a team trying to win now. The Chiefs would likely prefer Simmons, who was considered a top tackle prospect before suffering a non-contact knee injury last October.
What makes Simmons special? In 19 career starts at left tackle for the Buckeyes, he surrendered just one sack. Even more impressive — he didn’t allow a single pressure in six games before his injury last season.
The left tackle position has been a glaring weakness for a team that’s otherwise built to dominate. Finding stability there could be the difference between winning another Super Bowl or watching Mahomes running for his life again in a big game.
