Over the weekend I was deliberating about how well the Chiefs have rebuilt their front five. The Chiefs brain trust have put the team in position to have an offensive line that will excel. Yes, I know, it will take time for this “new” unit to gel (the 3 C’s – Continuity, Consistency and Cohesion), but it will do so, fire tested after the first few games. In my take, I establish that there’ll be two rookie starters out of the gate and, I did some hand wringing about possibly making a 3rd rookie a starter, which could happen. No excuses to be made, just observe that the OL changed drastically since the NFL’s glittering finale. From there, we will see 5 new starters for 2021 on the offensive line.
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Much Respect for Brett Veach, his Scouting Crew & the Financial Wizards Working Behind the Scenes
GM Brett Veach accomplished a complete offensive line overhaul and no pundit believed it would be possible unless it was over two seasons. He and his crew did it in a couple of months. Veach, our Maverick GM, deserves his own Trophy, but he would just turn around and give high credit to the Front Office Financial Wizards, his Scouting Crew, plus HC Andy Reid and his coaching staff. Deservedly so.
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Veach works wonders with Andy, who isn’t selling hot dogs any more.
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Let’s begin with the Left tackle position, the most important OL position, because he protects the blind side for Mr. Mahomes.
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Orlando Brown, Jr. – LOT | Martinas Rankin LOT#2
Not a rumor: PFF ranked the OT’s in the game and the Chiefs LOT Orlando Brown, Jr. ended up ranked 15th in the league. Now consider how many tackles play in the NFL that is a darned nice credo, though I am not certain it is valid to place him 15h. Nor am I able to ascertain what the difference is between the top 5 and… the 3rd 5. Any one of those players is a very good OT. We were all waiting to see how Veach & Co. would take care of the loss of Eric Fisher who was released due to his injury status. I was not rooting for that to happen because Fisher was a very good OT and I wish him success when he returns to the grass. It was, and is, highly unlikely that Fisher would or will be available opening day, nor will we know how well he is rehabbed at that point. Releasing one of our long-time Veterans was tough, but had to be done.
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Martinas Rankin could fill a starting guard position or even be the right tackle. Things changed up as free agents were signed. Mike Remmers has returned, and then each puzzle piece that Veach worked on to build an offensive line with strength, power, pass blocking ability, added depth which fell into place, player by player. Rankin has the versatility to play across the OL. If placed as the #2 LOT, his job will be to master the footwork for the left side and provide the depth, which is different footwork than the right side. The drop step has got to be automatic, so Rankin became LT candidate #2. Note: in 2018, Rankin was drafted 3 positions ahead of, none other than Orlando Brown. Yasir Durant could also be a good fit for LT #2.
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Lucas Niang – ROT | Mike Remmers ROT #2
Lucas Niang sat out last year during the Covid-19 crisis. I have seen tape of his games and I watched his workouts as he worked to improve his skills for the pros. He did not just work on being a right tackle, but prepared for the left side as well. When you watch the tape though, he clearly shows that he plays better with his feet from the right side. I worry that he came to OTA’s overweight. Daniel Harms of RGR addressed that in Youtube session, subtitled Dan’s Rants. See it here:
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Visually, I thought Niang was at least 10 pounds above what should be his maximum playing weight, when he reported in, but the hard work of the OTAs, conditioning and training camp as well as 3 preseason games should have him ready to role. It is clear to me that Mike Remmers is a solid vet. He played the right side well when inserted there in 2020. At the same time, he did not fair well at all on the left side, he is the ROT#2. You could say, Lucas Niang, is a, ready-to-start, ROT. There is no question with Niang and Remmers, that the right side of the bookend tackles is in good hands.
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Creed Humphrey – OC | Austin Blythe – OC#2
Brett Veach covered the bases when 202 starting Center, Austin Reiter, did not sign his contract. Veach covered that with a player of equal or even a bit better skill by signing Austin Blythe. What surprised me was, Veach then selecting a the left handed Center from Oklahoma, Creed Humphrey. A lefty delivers the ball from a different hand when the QB is under Center and with a different spin on shotgun snaps. No big deal was the decision. My target was the OC from Alabama, Landon Dickerson. However, K.C. got the superior player in Humphrey. He is ready to play, is a complete player, a great pass blocking, manhandling OC and he is ready to start, day one. Creed is clearly already a full head up over Blythe in skill and ability. Blythe has 3 years of NFL experience.
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There is no question: the Chiefs Offensive Center role is totally solid with depth from these two players.
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Joe Thuney – LOG | Nick Allegretti LOG #2
In 2019 I wondered if Joe Thuney might be available for trade. Turns out, he was not retained by the Patriots this offseason, which made his signing by Brett Veach the correct move for the right player at the right time. Bringing Thuney to the left side of the Chiefs OL gives a powerful and experienced pair of vets to handle the job. Nick Allegretti may have been a late round draft pick, but when called upon to start, he got a ton of lessons and growth to the LOG position. Not only that, he provides the Chiefs with a third man in line for Offensive Center. For that reason, I have retained Nick for the #2 job where other may have him being a cap casualty. The Chiefs could end up choosing Yasir Durant and giving him the nod as the #2 LOG. It’s possible.
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The finale of starters? Drum roll please, and the the starting ROG is…
Trey Smith – ROG | Kyle Long – ROG#2
It’s not easy to start a season with 3 rookies in a position group and it is a huge stretch to put Trey Smith as a starter on this offensive line. In my mind, there are already two rookies who are going to be starters. I am reluctant to project three — but it’s a possibility. My thinking: Trey Smith is a complete match as far as skills are concerned and with the Chiefs presenting a strong, powerful offensive front to the enemy that is tops in protecting their Quarterback (Patrick Mahomes)… it could happen.
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While going over the history of both players… injuries and illness, age and past success… considering player fit and their personal skill sets, I would not have a problem in any given year, starting a rookie on the OL. However, three of them? That really is the question. Breaking into the NFL as a player is a tough nut. They must be NFL ready… learn the playbook… team tendencies… and blocking schemes… then be ready to play at the speed of the NFL game.
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I finally concluded that in this case, the Chiefs three rookie offensive linemen possess the required attributes. I’d go with youth over age and experience in all three cases. It’s a really “You Pick ’em situation.” I really liked Long with the Bears… and I really like everything I see about Trey Smith. Not only that, but I believe that Trey Smith is a perfect skill match for where the Chiefs are going presenting a more powerful Offensive Front. Smith offers that type of fit for the Chiefs. I assign Kyle Long as the #2 ROG, but fortune would smile on Kyle if he is named the starter.
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Trey Smith is that kind of football talent and Veach’s fortune cookie was on the table when he picked Smith, who is a legitimate Round 2, and probably a Round 1, graded OG, sans the health issue. Then again, that’s why Smith ended up in K.C., isn’t it? We’ll have to wait and see, but no matter what, the Right Side Guard job is well covered.
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Am I Ten for Ten?
That is ten players for the offensive line. I think 2020 proved a point about depth to both HC Andy Reid, Offensive Line Coach Andy Heck as well as GM Brett Veach. Because I believe so Strongly in Trey Smith, I am adding a 6th player photo. Who knows? May well be that Trey wins out the ROG role. He will be the starting ROG in 2022 regardless. Long, who is 32 will have difficulty holding him off.
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Who Departs?
I am pretty darned sure that this is a good problem to have. Who will the Chiefs keep and who will they release. Or, better yet, who will be a trade candidate. Mark my words, before preseason games begin, some team out there in NFL-ville will need an offensive lineman. Those teams already know the answer when the ask: “Who ya gonna call?” –> Brett Veach. This will happen!
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- LDT – As much as I have liked and supported the “Doc,” I think he does not win a position battle with Kyle Long. In that case, The #2 could be him for LOG, but I can’t see it with the Chiefs having drafted Trey Smith. LDT will waive his no-trade clause restriction giving Brett Veach his first player to use in a trade and a successful OG will be a top market contender.
- Andrew Wylie – Wylie has been a starter for the Chiefs for 2 seasons. However, he doesn’t fit the current roster make up and won’t be retained. He is a veteran with starter experience so he should, like LDT, be a trade candidate, if he has any trade value.
- Yasir Durant OT/OG – KC thought enough of Durant to keep him on the 53 man roster in 2020. They will not wish to loose him but as it lines it up, he’s not going to be one of the 10 Linemen on the 53 man roster. Result? To the PS, released or part of a trade deal. I think he can still be moved to the PS, but I think he would be poached by another team if exposed.
- Darryl Williams OC/OG – Williams could be traded or moved to the PS. I thought that Williams and Durant both would be draft picks in 2020. The Chiefs were fortunate to be able to bring both players aboard as UDFAs.
- Prince Tega Wanogho OT – Prince was available to be signed and was this past January. He’s a worthy player to bring aboard and could be an OT for the PS.
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That’s my outlook and with too many players to retain, being the problem? The Chiefs have a ton of talent to compete for roles on the Offensive Line. It’s a good problem to have.
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David Bell – ArrowheadOne
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