When you have a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes, it is worthwhile to protect him the best you can, and the Kansas City Chiefs failed to do so last season.
Sacked a whopping 47 times last season (including playoffs), which is 10 more than his previous worst in 2021, the offensive line was chopped and changed throughout the year.
Both Kingsley Suamataia and Wanyer Morris failed to nail down a spot, so guard Joe Thuney shifted out to tackle, and Mike Caliendo started at guard - it didn't go well.
Now, Jaylon Moore was signed in free agency to shore up the left tackle spot, but just 12 career starts in four years paints the picture of an unknown commodity.
As such, many have the Chiefs addressing the left tackle position in the draft, and for NFL.com's Mike Band, such is the need to upgrade, Kansas City trades up to get Texas Longhorn Kelvin Banks Jr.
"Just like in my first mock, the Chiefs trade up to No. 24 to secure their long-term answer at left tackle, leapfrogging Houston, a team that could also target offensive line help at No. 25," Band writes.
Trading up in this scenario shows how much value the Chiefs place on finding the right tackle. In Banks Jr., they get a good option who could easily usurp Moore by season's end.
More of a pro-ready run blocker than pass protector per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, Banks Jr. is seen by many to be one of the best linemen in the draft, and if he does "fall" to the Chiefs, we imagine that Andy Reid and Brett Veach will be turning that draft card in rather quickly.
The need for offensive line help is glaring, and the Chiefs know there are a handful of quality options in this draft class, so they have to get one if they want Mahomes to remain upright in 2025.
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