Draft Expert Projects Chiefs Steal to Protect Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs had plugged their weaknesses well enough over the las three seasons to reach three Super Bowls, winning two of those contests. On the verge of their third, their holes could not be remedied any longer and the Philadelphia Eagles exposed them on a major scale. 

Kansas City's offensive line struggled to protect Patrick Mahomes throughout the 40-22 beatdown in Super Bowl LIX with the quarterback taking six sacks in that game. Now one game against an elite team should not be too much cause for panic, but the Chiefs entered the offseason intentional about solidifying that area of the roster. 

Namely at left tackle, the Chiefs have experimented with several pieces with no positive results. They signed Jaylon Moore in free agency though he is no sure solution after spending most of his time with the San Francisco 49ers as a backup. 

The draft will be their final big chance to find some real answers. And if the draft board falls in a way which ESPN draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects, Kansas City could be in for a major get. 

Kiper has the Chiefs selecting Josh Simmons out of Ohio State at No. 31 overall. As Kiper notes, had Simmons not suffered an injury this past season, he would be looking at a much earlier selection. 

"If Simmons didn't injure his knee last October, we might not be having this conversation -- because his projection might be closer to the top 10. He has really good footwork and power, and he gave up just one sack over 19 career starts at left tackle. Heck, he hadn't given up a single pressure in six games before the injury last season. That's the kind of pass protection the Chiefs need."

And that value makes for a true steal, assuming he can return to form following his knee injury. But for a team picking late and still coming off another dominant run through the AFC, Simmons would mark a major Day 1 victory in the draft. 

Simmons told reporters back in March that he is "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a torn patellar tendon. That should provide at least some level of assurance for the Chiefs and their fans should he fall to them on Night 1. 

The Chiefs will assess their line with potentially multiple picks throughout the draft weekend. But all eyes are on what they can do with their first pick. If the Chiefs can build some momentum early in the draft process with a prospect like Simmons, they will certainly stir the excitement for the days to follow.