David Bell
The time between the Mandatory Mini-Camp and the start date for Training camp is a foul-smelling skunk! What do we know thus far and what will be proven once the pads go on in Camp? It is difficult to even address myself to topics worthy of writing about. However, here’s my best shot about the offensive line. I have already postponed an article due to media focus and even Laddie’s article (Chiefs 2024 Breaker Outers) on my intended subject.
What I have been intent on this week is what position groups have true situational battles for a starting role are going to play into who makes the roster. Let’s begin with the obvious: OL.
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Left Offensive Tackle and Offensive Line Depth
Last year, when Donovan Smith was injured, Wanya Morris substituted for Smith. For the most part, you had a rookie taking over for a seasoned Veteran, and his rookie-ness showed up. It’s not that Morris failed the test but when you stack up snap Wins & Losses, there was a lot that was lacking which Morris must demonstrate that he has learned a lesson to grow on.
Morris is contending with the apparent heir apparent: Veach moved up in the draft to select Kingsley Suamataia. When I say heir apparent, I mean that. Even in the mandatory Mini-Camp, Suamataia had more snaps at LOT than did Morris. Not only this, but Kingsley played at BYU – HC Andy Reid’s Alma Mater. I would wager that the odds are Suamataia will be the starting LOT.
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In my opinion, that fact alone makes Suamataia the front-runner to win the starting role if indeed either one of them gets the nod after the 2nd Pre-Season Game. I keep in mind that there is the possibility that Brett Veach could sign on a Veteran to aid in tutoring the two young players such as re-signing Donovan Smith or taking a shot at David Bakhtiari (former Packer, now Free Agent). If that ended up being a decision box, it would encompass what Smith would offer having had a year of experience with the Chiefs at the LOT position, or a player whom I prefer which is Bakhtiari who has stated he wanted to play for a Super Bowl contender. Even if it came down to just those two OTs, it would be a tough choice.
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Packer All-Pro LOT David Bakhtiari – ESPN Image Credit
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I think Smith was as serviceable as the Chiefs LOT. Bakhtiari would win hands down if it came to intelligence and persona. However, Bakhtiari has had numerous injury seasons in his record. You can make that call yourself. Suffice it to say I have never been disappointed in Bakhtiari as a Packer save the situation with injuries. He would be an excellent tutor for the Chiefs OTs and the OL altogether. It’s possible that David could get through a complete season without being sidelined — that would be an “ACE” Brett Veach move for getting him aboard.
Needless to say, I am not a huge Donovan Smith fan. Of course, there are other OTs who are still available even now. But if it came down to bringing Smith back, I could support it for just the 2024 season.
The Starters on the Interior are set in concrete: LOG Joe Thuney, Center Creed Humphrey, and ROG Trey Smith. I don’t think there is an argument about who will man the IOL Positions. The only question is whether or not Thuney will be ready to start on opening day. I doubt that Joe will miss that date. My caveat to this is the assumption that Joe Thuney is game-ready at the time of pre-season games #2. If he is not, then the Chiefs have a major problem.
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The New York Post – Photo Credit
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Depth for the Interior OL
It is pretty obvious to me that the backup Center will be the Chiefs 5th-round draft pick: PSU’s Hunter Nourzad. There are no other Centers on the roster that fit the billing. I liked this draft pick and it appears that the Veach crew made the rounds in scouting Nourzad. I think he ended up being undervalued. Be that as it may, he is going to be the Chiefs #2 Center.
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Hunter Nourzad – Sports Illustrated Photo Credit
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The Question Becomes:
Who Will Be the Swing Tackle and/or Guard?
I think this is as valid a question as the question about a starting LOT. In my thinking, that player is Wanya Morris, hands down. He has experience at both Tackle positions and not only that, the Chiefs have worked him at the OG position, which could well be of import if Joe Thuney is not ready to play during the pre-season games.
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Wanya Morris Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale – USA TODAY Sports
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I surmise that Offensive Line Coach Andy Heck may have seen him as more of a guard than a Tackle. Potential intrigue may lie in 2025 and also whether or not the Chiefs think Thuney will indeed be back to form for 2024. In the past, I have postulated that the Chiefs could save a ton of money if Thuney were to depart in 2025. Don’t get me wrong — I wrote about my desire to bring Thuney aboard before it happened. I applauded that acquisition and I don’t belabor the fact as I write this – I like Joe Thuney a bunch. I also keep in mind that injuries occur when players cannot find their way back to a starting role. We saw that occur with Mitch Schwartz and Eric Fisher both. I also know that keeping the OL players young and hungry is part of the Veach plan. I can see Thuney gone in 2025 and certainly by 2026 especially if they can train up his replacement, now! So that becomes my real question for the LOG role.
If that is indeed part of the vision about Morris for 2024, he is the right kind of candidate. I liked Morris in college and thought he was a great choice.
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OT Depth?
At this juncture, it remains to be seen what happens with backup to Jawaan Taylor at ROT. Lucas Niang probably has his last shot with the Chiefs, but I take note that Matt Derrick thinks highly of Ethan Driskell. ESPN has Chukwuebuka Godrick (International player) as the #2 on the left side. For me, I think Godrick will go back to the PS for 2024. If the Chiefs use Morris as I think they will, then Godrick gets another training year. After all, he didn’t grow up with American Football. This might mean that the Chiefs retain Griffin McDowell as well. We’ll see.
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OG Depth?
First of all, Mike Caliendo has been around the Chiefs and is the basic #2 LOG. I think he returns to the active 53 for that reason. CJ Hanson was drafted by the Chiefs in 2024 as their 7th-round pick out of Holy Cross nonetheless! He might just make the roster, oddly enough. Thus far, from trusted sources, he has acquitted himself well. That’s just speculation on my part until the pads go on in training camp though.
This is my best view of the OL at this point. I am more worried about Joe Thuney and the LOG position than I am about having Kingsley get the nod at LOT. After all, we went through the LOT learning curve with Eric Fisher. I think the Chiefs could survive another such learning curve, especially if the LOG role becomes the major question for the OL in 2024. If Joe Thuney is not ready to role opening day, I think it might fall to Wanya Morris at LOG. After all, the starting OL line for 2024 could be this!
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Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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