Chiefs 2019 Offensive Line is Patrick Mahomes
Health Insurance Policy
by Laddie Morse | March 11, 2019
A report on the front row starters along the offensive line and what the Chiefs could do to gain cap space and improve the line at the same time.
The Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line has progressed, even if only by the smallest of margins, over the past 6 seasons under Andy Reid. You probably remember the Barry “Ole” Richardson days back in 2011, two years prior to Reid taking over. However, Reid has added to the blooper reel with his own choices like Mike McGlynn or Jeff Linkenbach. Now, the Chiefs and Reid tout the very best quarterback in the biz and must do all he can to secure his services for the near and distant future. With all the defensive needs that must be addressed this offseason you musn’t forget that the Chiefs 2019 offensive line is Patrick Mahomes Health Insurance policy… so it’s very likely that Mr. Veach will be getting pressure from Mr. Reid to keep his offensive line well stocked.
Let’s take a look at what the Chiefs current depth chart for the offensive line looks like (prior to free agency or the draft) and then begin discussing LT Eric Fisher.
In the 2018 playoffs, ProFootball Focus ranked the 4 teams Offensive Lines in the Conference Championships like this:
- 1. Patriots
- 2. Rams
- 3. Saints
- 4. Chiefs
I don’t always agree with PFF but in this case it seems obvious. They added this comment from their paragraph on the Chiefs group of offensive linemen:
“Then there’s the Chiefs who feature… Eric Fisher, whose 71.7 grade this season is competent enough on the left side.”
“Competent enough”… is probably the best way to describe Eric Fisher’s career. Jeremy Parnell is still on the market. He’s a 33 year old FA RT (no pun intended) but could be used as a one-year rental to insert on the right side. There’s also a FA RT Ryan Schraeder who is 31 and last played for the Falcons. If the Chiefs were to sign one of them — on the cheap of course — and trade Eric Fisher, they could play RT and Schwartz could move to LT. Releasing Eric Fisher would save $6.9M this year, possibly improving the OL, while gaining some draft capital. Here’s what the Chiefs current salary structure looks like for their top 5 paid players:
Sure, Sammy Watkins contract sticks out like a sore thumb on first glance, and that is for another discussion. However, the Chiefs could save considerably towards their cap if they traded Eric Fisher. Of course, it’s hard to talk about one Tackle without mentioning the other. While the Chiefs have had some abysmal RTs, over the past several seasons just prior to Mitchell Schwartz, the performance of Schwartz has been par excellence. In other words, he’s been better than any other RT in the game. Schwartz was awarded the Bruce Matthews Award by Pro Football Focus, who had this to say of Schwartz:
Many will tell you that the blind side Tackle — the Left Tackle — is the most important tackle in the protection scheme of the quarterback. Since the Chiefs best tackle is playing on the right side, it does raise the question, why? If the Chiefs are going to do any kind of restructuring of their protection scheme, one that best fits the idea that they must give Patrick Mahomes the best protection possible, at all times, then they should also be willing to consider placing their best Tackle on the left, to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side.
If Andrew Wylie is considered someone who could step up and progress to the point that he’d be ready to take over the right Tackle position, then Eric Fisher could become more trade bait and another way for the Chiefs to reduce their cap and gain a pick. This draft has a number of good Tackle prospects like:
The Chiefs may consider each of these prospects developmental but it’s a strong group to choose from. While it’s likely that the Chiefs will be keeping Eric Fisher for a couple more years, they might want to plan ahead now, because it seems to take Tackles longer to adjust to the pro game than it does for a quarterback. Eric Fisher’s contract ends in two years, in 2020, so his replacement is something to plan for, if you’re name is Brett or Andy.
The learning curve is often just as big for a left tackle because they must un-learn some bad habits — or no habits at all — that translates to being successful in the pro style offense. Some of those skills include:
- proper stance,
- hand placement,
- punching correctly,
- reading the defender,
- increasing foot speed,
- drive blocking in space,
- anchoring with leverage,
- developing relentless effort,
- maintaining foot placement,
- keeping hands inside the jersey,
- understanding & embracing a job within a unit.
The offensive linemen of today often get to the NFL without knowing the very basics of playing their position and it is up to the scouts and coaches to decide who is teachable… and who is not. Then, it’s up to the HC to make sure they’re coached up right.
At Offensive Guard the Chiefs have Cam Erving at Left Guard and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif MD (LDT) at Right Guard. Cam Erving seemed to settle in well on the left and has been used at Center as well. That flexibility may mean he sticks with the Chiefs through his next contract, even if he improves. I doubt any teams will be clamouring for his services. Cam Erving’s contract goes through 2020 and is minimal so there’s not much advantage to moving him. He has also been serviceable and versatile so unless Kahlil McKenzie has a breakout year this year, expect Erving to be here. LDT has been an excellent Right Guard for the past three years with the Chiefs but, has also fought to stay on the field because of injuries. His contract runs through 2022 so he’ll be with us for a while, which is great news… if he can stay healthy.
The Center position is the main concern this offseason for the Chiefs. Mitch Morse signed for $10M per/yr with the Buffalo Bills – 4 years for $44.5M… which I hope the Chiefs didn’t even consider matching with all their other financial needs… most of them being defensive.
Austin Reiter is the most likely choice to take over at the Center position. Reiter was a 7th round pick of the Washington Redskins in 2015 and played his college ball at South Florida University. Reiter spent most of 2015 and 2016 with Washington (practice squad) then was signed by the Browns where he stayed until he went to IR and was released in 2017. The Chiefs signed him off of waivers in 2018 and he made it though camp and stuck on the 53 man roster then ended up starting in 4 games when Morse went down. Reiter is a classic case of an OL who needed time to get stronger and hone his skills. He signed a two-year extension with the Chiefs last year.
Other Centers that will be available in the draft include:
During several of the mock drafts I’ve done online this winter, Garrett Bradbury (pictured at left) has been available at pick #63, the Chiefs second – 2nd round choice. He was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2018. If the Chiefs were able to lock up the best defensive lineman and the best CB they could find with their first two selections, I’d be fine with them taking a Center, especially if that Center was Garrett Bradbury. What do you think Chiefs fans? Are you feeling as confident as I am about the Chiefs offensive line? If they don’t draft anyone, or sign anyone, or trade anyone… who can play the offensive line, I’m still alright with their corp group. In any event, this is the first offseason in… I don’t know how long… that I’m not worrying about the OL and feel good that they will provide Patrick Mahomes with the necessary insurance protection he needs to succeed in 2019. What do you think?
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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