As the Kansas City Chiefs enter the critical scouting combine and prepare for the upcoming draft, the glaring needs on their roster become abundantly clear. The team is coming off a disappointing performance in Super Bowl LIX, where their offensive line faltered, allowing star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to face significant pressure. With four players cycling through the left tackle position and six sacks on Mahomes in that championship game, the urgency for a permanent solution at left tackle is paramount.
The Chiefs’ issues on the offensive line are not new; they’ve been compounded since the release of Eric Fisher in 2020. Fisher had been a stalwart for the team, and since his departure, the Chiefs have struggled to fill that critical gap. Their experimentation with players such as Orlando Brown Jr., who later departed for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Donovan Smith has not yielded the desired results. The 2023 season saw Smith take the reins, despite being out of football the previous year, revealing the depth of the Chiefs’ struggle to stabilize this position.
The attempts to infuse youth into the left tackle role with Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris proved to be ill-fated. Both players underperformed, leading to their early benching and further highlighting the need for a dependable player who can protect Mahomes’ blind side. The short-term fix of moving Joe Thuney, normally a guard, to left tackle was a clear admission that the Chiefs were still searching for a true solution rather than settling on a stopgap measure.
With the 31st pick in the upcoming draft, the Chiefs may find themselves in a challenging position. The market for left tackles is not particularly deep this year, meaning general manager Brett Veach could find it difficult to locate the talent necessary to address this vulnerability. Recent drafts have seen the team select both Suamataia and Morris in hopes of securing a future starter, but those efforts haven’t borne fruit, indicating a potentially lengthy quest for a long-term fix.
Beyond just the left tackle position, the Chiefs face additional dilemmas that necessitate attention in the upcoming draft and during free agency. One of the most pressing needs involves reinforcing their defensive line. Returning players such as Chris Jones and George Karlaftis provide a solid foundation; however, the potential departures of Charles Omenihu and Tershawn Wharton could leave sizable gaps that must be addressed.
At cornerback, Kansas City has shown reliance on players like Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, yet they suffered from inconsistent coverage, particularly in nickel situations. With Watson missing a significant portion of last season due to injury, the Chiefs can’t afford to be complacent and will likely seek a capable cornerback who can add depth and potentially start.
Receiving corps depth is another area of concern. While the Chiefs possess a promising talent in Xavier Worthy and are hopeful for Rashee Rice’s return from a knee injury, the overall depth has become precarious, especially if veteran wide receiver Hollywood Brown departs as a free agent. This means the draft could be an avenue for Kansas City to find reliable options to bolster their passing game.
The Chiefs might also look at acquiring a versatile running back to ease the workload for Isiah Pacheco, who had a pivotal role in their offense. With teams increasingly leaning toward multi-dimensional running backs who can both run and catch effectively, Kansas City may prioritize this position to maximize offensive flexibility.
The tight end position looms large as well, especially with the future of Travis Kelce in question. At 36 years old, Kelce’s production last season suffered, and the team must be prepared for life after their star player, even if he chooses to return. Enhancing this position could provide insurance against an inevitable transition.
As the Chiefs navigate this critical offseason, it is evident that substantial changes are on the horizon. Addressing the left tackle position stands as a top priority, but there are several other pressing needs across the roster that also deserve focus. With strategic drafting and judicious decisions in free agency, Kansas City has the potential to revitalize its lineup and set the stage for another championship run. Given the stakes involved, 2025 may be the year the Chiefs finally find the solutions they’ve so desperately sought.
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