The Kansas City Chiefs could use some upgrades along the interior offensive line. It was the one area of questionable depth during their Super Bowl-winning season. If it wasn’t for Stefen Wisniewski being miraculously available, they could have been in a lot of trouble.
Historically, the team hasn’t invested a lot of draft capital and free-agent spending in the guard and center positions. Since Andy Reid’s arrival in 2013, the top-drafted interior offensive lineman was Mitch Morse in with pick No. 49 in 2015. The strategy lately has been to draft and develop players in the late round, while established players are already in place.
Many project the Chiefs to be positioned to draft some of the top interior players in this class. That could potentially allow them to alter their strategy a bit. Here’s a look at some of the interior offensive line prospects Kansas City could consider in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft:
AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
Round 1: Michigan IOL Cesar Ruiz
Ruiz is a versatile and dependable interior offensive line prospect, who will be 21 years old during his first NFL season. At 6-3 and 307 pounds, he’s been calling the shots for the Michigan offensive line as starting center for the last two seasons.
In 2019, Ruiz was the top pass-blocking center in the country, allowing just eight pressures in 447 pass-blocking snaps. He’d be a perfect fit in the Chiefs’ zone-blocking scheme. He can handle pulling duties and redirect defenders. He’s very active as a run blocker and a pass protector, always going the extra mile.
Center was easily one of the biggest weaknesses for the Chiefs in 2019. While Austin Reiter didn’t have any snapping issues, he struggled in pass protection and run blocking. They could use an upgrade there and Ruiz would be the top to fortify the position for the next five seasons.
Round 2: Louisiana OL Robert Hunt
Many view Hunt as one of the top interior offensive linemen in this draft class. He is versatile, with experience playing both left guard and right tackle for Louisiana-Lafayette. Listed at 6-5 and 323 pounds, he has the size to find success playing at several positions in the NFL.
Hunt started a total of 45 games over his four-year career with the Ragin’ Cajuns, proving to be incredibly reliable and consistent. He’s one of the most refined technicians in this class with active feet and hands in pass protection. He also plays with the mentality of a finisher, blocking defenders through the whistle. Hunt is currently recovering from a sports hernia that held him to only nine games in his final college season.
The Chiefs have a strong interest in Hunt. They’ve had multiple interviews with him throughout the pre-draft process. Hunt is an East Texas native, so you know he’d have some good comradery blocking for Patrick Mahomes.
Round 3: LSU OG Damien Lewis
Lewis started the last 27 straight games at right guard for LSU. He was a big part of their national championship title, helping to pave the way for both Heisman Trophy-winning QB Joe Burrow and Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s 1000-yard rushing season.
An absolute bulldozer in pass protection and the ground game, Lewis is one of the nastiest offensive linemen in the draft. He dominates at the point of attack and has the movement skills to be equally effective in space. When he drops his anchor in pass protection, there is no moving him or getting around him.
Lewis is another player that the Chiefs have a ton of pre-draft interest in. They’ve had video conferences with him since the combine.
Round 4: St. John’s OG Ben Bartch
Bartch carries 306-pounds well on 6-6 frame and he looks the part of an NFL offensive lineman. He held his own at the Senior Bowl and proved to many that he can play at the highest level. He’s still relatively new to the offensive tackle after beginning his college career playing tight end. The athleticism and movement skills from playing tight end are still present with this prospect.
Some people have Bartch going a bit earlier in the draft, but I have a hard time drafting a Division III offensive lineman before the third day. He was completely dominant at that level, but it’s hard to imagine Bartch coming into the NFL and making an immediate impact. He’ll need some time to get coached up before he can reach his full potential in the league.
Round 5: Georgia OG Solomon Kindley
At 6-3 and 337 pounds, Kindley projects as a guard at the next level, with experience playing both right and left guard for the Georgia Bulldogs. In total, he’s started 30 games, anchoring one of the top rushing units in the SEC over the past three seasons.
Kindley plays with a strong anchor. He’ll rarely get beat with a bull rush but he can struggle with speed rushers at times. He’s more of a mauler type, which isn’t what Kansas City typically prefers at the position. He reminds me a bit of former Chiefs offensive lineman Zach Fulton, but he needs a little refinement in his technique to find success in the NFL.
Round 6: Michigan State OG Tyler Higby
Higby is an intriguing prospect with experience playing guard, center and tackle at Michigan State. At the next level, I think he’s best suited to play left or right guard.
Higby has solid movement skills for his 6-4 and 306-pound size. He’s fluid when playing in space and he has a knack for getting movement in the second level. I have a feeling that he’ll thrive on a team that utilizes him on pulls or as a blocker in the screen game. In pass protection Higby’s footwork stands out as a big positive, helping him redirect defensive linemen or work around the arc.
The Chiefs met with Higby at the East-West Shrine Game.
Round 7: Buffalo OL Evin Ksiezarczyk
Ksiezarcyzk was an anchor on a University of Buffalo offensive line that created two 1,000-yard rushers and a school-record of 3,256 rushing yards in 2019. They also were phenomenal in pass protection and only allowed eight sacks on the season.
While Ksiezarcyzk has 37 games at left tackle since his sophomore season, I think he’ll end up playing guard at the next level. His 6-6 and 310-pound frame is reminiscent of current Chiefs offensive lineman Andrew Wylie. Clearly, he has the versatility to play at both spots if necessary.
The Chiefs also spoke with Ksiezarczyk at the East-West Shrine Game.
