Will Andy Reid bend his ironclad rule for Patrick Mahomes? Chiefs face a crucial draft dilemma

The way the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX made one thing clear: Patrick Mahomes needs a reliable bodyguard. Usually, Andy Reid would go after the player he needs in the draft, but this year's prospects don't meet the legendary head coach's quality criteria.

All year, the Chiefs struggled to cover Mahomes' blind side. Four players paraded around the left tackle position: Kingsley Sumataia, Wanya Morris, D.J. Humphries, and they even tried to put left guard Joe Thuney in the position. However, none of them panned out.

The six sacks Mahomes suffered in the Super Bowl against the Eagles were just the straw that broke the camel's back. The problem is so severe that some analysts speculate Reid could go into the 2025 NFL Draft with a first-round pick in mind; however, the available inventory doesn't fit the Big Red's mold.

Will Reid break his golden rule?

Like every sport, the NFL is continually evolving. In recent years, the criteria for drafting an offensive tackle includes arms at least 34 inches long. Reid and general manager Brett Veach fervently adhere to this rule, which gives a tackle an advantage over increasingly speedy pass rushers.

The problem, as seen at the recent NFL Scouting Combine, is that there are few players who fit this requirement and are first-round quality.

This puts Reid and the Chiefs in a bind, seemingly having to choose between a player who fits the mold but isn't first-round material or one who is first-round worthy but doesn't have the measurements that are trending in the NFL.

What prospects does Reid have?

While a lot can change between now and the draft in late April, Reid and Veach don't have much to choose from. Will Campbell (LSU), Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas), and Grey Zabel (NDS) are examples of players with the necessary talent but with shorter-than-standard arms.

In contrast, Josh Simmons (OSU) and Armand Membou (Missouri) have the arm length that coaches and scouts are currently looking for but would usually fall to later rounds. The Chiefs' head coach will enter the draft with a serious dilemma on his hands, one that will determine another Super Bowl run in 2025.