Looking to the 2020 NFL season, it feels like the Chiefs are set at the offensive tackle position. They have a pair of bookend’s in Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz as starters. They have Mike Remmers as a valuable backup on the right side. They even have several developmental options like Jackson Barton and Greg Senat.
Looking just a year down the road to 2021, the Chiefs could get out of Fisher’s contract with minimal dead money, saving $11.5 million against the salary cap. That could be valuable money if the team has Patrick Mahomes signed to an extension or money tied up in a fifth-year option.
With that in mind, Kansas City could draft an offensive tackle for the future. This draft class happens to be loaded with talent at the position and Veach believes he can get value in each of the first four rounds. Here is a look at some of the offensive tackles the Chiefs could consider in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft:
Round 1: Houston OT Josh Jones
Jones was the No. 28 overall player on Chiefs Wire’s top 50 prospect rankings. He started a total of 45 games at the left tackle spot for the Houston Cougars over the course of four seasons. Jones is a high-caliber athlete with a nasty streak. In 2019, Jones played in just nine games and racked up a total of 325 pass-blocking snaps. During those snaps, he was charged with just two total pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
I’ve said before that Jones reminds me of current Houston Texans OT Tytus Howard. He was a riser in the pre-draft process after a strong performance at the 2019 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Howard ended up being selected at No. 23 overall in 2019. Both are similar players in the sense that they have desirable traits for a starting tackle, but they’re still a little raw in their overall technique, fundamentals and body development.
This is a player that we know the Chiefs have some level of interest in. With the ability to develop into a high-quality NFL starter, Jones could very well be the pick if they stay at No. 32 if he’s there.
Round 2: Auburn OT Prince Tega Wanogho
A really good athlete for his 6-5 308-pound size, Wanogho is an intriguing option for the Chiefs and other teams to consider. He has a heck of a story, leaving his grandfather’s village in Warri, Nigeria as a basketball recruit for Edgewood Academy in Alabama. Ultimately he started playing football to help with his conditioning and it turned into his main sport.
Wanogho is still raw as a football player, but he moves extremely well and has quick feet for his size. He has a good feel for getting to the second level in run blocking. He’s really aggressive with his hand usage which is good to see from a player that is still learning some of the finer aspects of the game. His arm length gives him an advantage in reaching defenders and latching on.
The biggest red flag with Wanogho is the knee injury that he was flagged with at the Senior Bowl. He underwent a knee scope and was unable to participate at the combine or his pro day. With the coronavirus shutdowns, team doctors don’t have the same luxury of bringing a guy like Wanogho to the facility for a medical check.
Round 3: LSU OT Saahdiq Charles
Charles has started 28 games at multiple positions over the course of three seasons with the Tigers. He’s a very easy-mover for a guy listed at 6-4 and 321 pounds. What impresses me most about Charles’ tape is how his hands and feet mirror each other. When he latches on in pass protection, he’s really hard to beat. There’s still some inconsistency in his technique, but if you pair him with a good coach at the next level he has great potential.
One thing that really hurts Charles is the lack of a top-30 visit. He had a unique upbringing as Charles’ family was displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina. In 2019, he was suspended for six games during a portion of LSU’s championship season. There are questions about a potential lack of maturity that he needs to answer for.
Charles is another player that the Chiefs have shown interest in. They’d obviously have to be comfortable with the red flags to draft this player, but they’re clearly doing their background work.
Round 4: Auburn OT Jack Driscoll
A graduate transfer from Massachusets, Driscoll started 26 games at right tackle for the Auburn Tigers over the past two seasons. Driscoll is very athletic and does a good job climbing to the second level in the run game. His kick slide is really smooth and he is very quick to redirect pass rushers. Overall, Driscoll does a good job in pass protection, only allowing 8 pressures in 2019 according to Pro Football Focus.
The problem for Driscoll is that he lacks arm length at 33 inches. Most NFL teams like 34-inch arms and up in their offensive tackles. That might precipitate a move to offensive guard in the NFL.
The Chiefs met with Driscoll at the East-West Shrine game back in January. He feels like the perfect type for the Chiefs’ zone-blocking scheme and I think he’d benefit from learning from players like Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz.
Round 5: North Carolina OT Charlie Heck
This pick would be a display of nepotism as Heck is the son of Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck.
The younger Heck has started nearly 23 games at right tackle and 12 games at left tackle over the past three seasons at UNC. While he has excellent size at 6-8 and 311 pounds, he struggles at time with his pad level. When you’re that big it’s difficult to defend against the speedier and bendier edge rushers.
At the same time, Heck excels at playing physical football. He matches up very well against power rushers and he does a good job putting smaller defenders on the ground in the run game and on twists.
“I’ve been around football my whole life,” Heck told Chiefs Wire at the combine. “You know what to expect. You know what it’s like. I think I’m really sound on my technique and my assignment inside and out every time.”
Heck did have a brief informal meeting with his dad at the combine.
“I’m going to be happy wherever I end up,” Heck said on the prospect of ending up with the Chiefs. “But there would be something special about playing for my dad at some point down the road.”
Round 6: Ball State OT Danny Pinter
Pinter has the disadvantage of not being from a Power 5 conference, but he’s an intriguing prospect nonetheless. His athleticism jumps off the tape, and you won’t be surprised to learn that he was recruited to play the tight end position. At 6-4 and 306 pounds, he had the second-best 40-yard dash time at the combine to Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.
In 2019, he had a play that put his athleticism on display. He declared eligible as a receiver, was thrown a screen pass and rumbled in for a score. He’s clearly still learning to play offensive line, but his athleticism is the type that you take a chance on during the late rounds of the draft.
Round 7: Utah OT Darrin Paulo
Paulo started in 40 games during the course of his career and played both sides for the Utes. This past season he was voted in first-team all-conference in the Pac-12 playing left tackle for Utah.
A snub from the combine, Paulo is listed at 6-5 and 315 pounds. He has decent athleticism, performing well in space while pulling and sealing blocks in the running game. In pass protection, he has sound fundamentals and does a really good job against a variety of different types of rushers. He’s a very steady player who isn’t easily overwhelmed by his assignments.
I’m a bit surprised this player hasn’t seen more hype ahead of the draft. I think he’ll be a steal a team on Day 3.
