About one week into the 2021 NFL league year, and the Kansas City Chiefs still have a hole at left tackle. The team has certainly made upgrades to the offensive line overall. Simply, the additions of Joe Thuney and Kyle Long cannot go unnoticed. The team has also been reportedly close to landing prominent free agents, such as JuJu Smith-Schuster and Josh Reynolds at wide receiver. Most notably, Kansas City was a mere runner up to landing left tackle, and possibly the number one free agent on the market, in Trent Williams.
But despite these valiant efforts and hard pushes by general manager Brett Veach, the Chiefs have been unable to complete agreements. The offensive line may look somewhat deeper and better. Compared to last year’s unit in Week One, the depth is certainly more comfortable in spurts. However, left tackle is one of the most vital positions to lock down at the NFL level. It also means that much more, when you have one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL in Patrick Mahomes.
In today’s edition of This Or That, we will be focusing more on the left tackle position. What options may be left in free agency? Should the Chiefs add their left tackle of the future in the first round of April’s draft? Today’s question is as follows. Should Kansas City sign one of the remaining free agents to play left tackle in 2021? Or, do they look to the draft options to hold that spot down? Let’s look into the possibilities.
- The Andy Reid Bowl: Coach Faces Old Team, Reid’s Legacy
- Are We Seeing The Best Work Of Steve Spagnuolo This Year?
- Are Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts More Similar Than Most Think?
- Kelce Brothers Making History In Super Bowl LVII
- Kansas City Chiefs Punch Ticket To Super Bowl LVII
Free Agent Options
Though most free agents have been signed, a handful of free agent options are still available. This includes options for players that could start at left tackle. Here are the top five possible outside additions the team could make, in no particular order: Alejandro Villanueva, Russell Okung, Rick Wagner, Dennis Kelly, Jason Peters.
All of these are veteran guys, who can easily be counted on as reliable players. Villanueva, Okung and Peters can all slide in naturally at left tackle, no problem. Yet, Wagner and Kelly have mainly been relegated to right tackle. It is not entirely impossible for either of them to hold down the fort on the blindside. It is just a bigger stretch than the team may be willing to make, though.
A good majority of people have pounded the table for bringing in Villanueva. At the same time, there are mixed reactions surrounding his play from last season in Pittsburgh. Of the other four of these veteran options, all of their performances in 2020 were solid. Meanwhile, Okung played the best out of all of them and allows the most natural fit at the left tackle spot.
Some other outside additions that could be worth taking a chance on are Cameron Fleming, Cedric Ogbuehi or Julie’n Davenport. These are options that could come in at extremely cheap prices. There would also be more risk involved with this select few as well.
Signing A Free Agent: Advantages vs Disadvantages
There are a few items that fall under both the advantage or disadvantage categories. Given the Chiefs current situation, one good thing about signing a veteran to play left tackle, would be that any of them could likely handle a quick transition to play in a pinch. Knowing they do not have to be dependable long term, but still provide a stop gap would likely be motivating and self assuring. Another advantage, is receiving the opportunity to protect a star quarterback like Mahomes. If you perform well in that environment, you may see one final splash opportunity elsewhere in free agency after playing for Kansas City. Now for the final advantage. The Chiefs would have a proven track record of any player at hand for their disposal. The expectations would be straightforward.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
On the other hand, there are also a few drawbacks with signing one of these veteran tackle options. Injury history is obviously a major factor. Especially when you just cut Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz because of injuries, you have to go about it in an intelligent and aware way. Just for reference, Okung has managed just 13 games played over the last two years. All of these veteran options also carry more wear and tear on their tires. Kansas City may not provide the best scheme fit for some of these free agent options either. If they intend to continue to use a zone blocking scheme, it is hard to envision that being a natural fit for most of these options we mentioned. Subsequently, the risk taken by signing a veteran tackle, compared to starting a rookie in that spot, could be much greater.
Drafting A Left Tackle: Advantages vs Disadvantages
This year’s class is loaded at the offensive tackle position. There could be anywhere from six to ten players, who could possibly step in and start from day one. For Kansas City, one advantage of starting a rookie at left tackle would be that you would hopefully be able to transition to a new era at the spot for the long term. Getting those reps in right away would definitely bring about learning curves. However, the crop of rookie tackles in this year’s class is truly special and provides versatility.
Another advantage, is the Chiefs have a large majority of the offensive line being occupied by veterans. Their teaching and mentorship could accentuate a rookie tackle’s growth at a higher rate. Additionally, this is where the Thuney signing comes in handy. If he is slated to play left guard, Kansas City knows they will have a smart and patient blocker right beside a rookie left tackle. Andy Reid‘s history of seeing progress from rookies early on, is an added bonus too. Not many other NFL head coaches are as good at identifying traits and playing to those strengths with younger players.
One disadvantage involved with starting a rookie left tackle, is that Kansas City does not have much depth for that spot. Sure, you have Mike Remmers and Lucas Niang as options at right tackle. The same goes for right guard with Long and potentially Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Thuney could maybe play left tackle in a pinch. Though, if you put all of your eggs in the rookie left tackle basket, the immediate expectation could be tricky. Obviously other than possible performance disappointments, an injury would bring the Chiefs right back to square one. Finally, the chances of the team reaching a third straight Super Bowl cannot rely solely on a rookie left tackle getting the job done. That is especially true, if they miss out on the top draft options at tackle.
Final Verdict
You can go here to vote on the poll for today’s edition of This Or That: Sign remaining free agent to play left tackle or draft a rookie left tackle?
This is extremely difficult to choose. There is certainly upside and past pedigree in place with the options still available among the free agent offensive tackles. The veterans there could certainly be counted on to be a bridge for a year or two on Mahomes’ blindside.
Nonetheless, I would be more comfortable with the team going with a rookie left tackle. More so after the Thuney deal, there is less panic on the left side. I think there is obvious hesitation with the team going rookie at that spot. There is reason to be ready to make this transition, however. Even if there are bumps in the road, Kansas City needs to take advantage of a strong draft class and hopefully move into their next cornerstone left tackle.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs This Or That hypothetical articles throughout this 2021 offseason. We will post them on Tuesday and Thursday. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Rockets at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Heat at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Trail Blazers at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Clippers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Suns at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 5:15 pm
-
Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Lakers at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
-
Ep 150: Owen Hart Part One - Young Gunby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: Final Notesby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, February 3rdby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm