Three offensive tackles the Kansas City Chiefs should target in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft

It seems increasingly evident that the Kansas City Chiefs could bring back offensive tackle Donovan Smith, who played with the Chiefs on a one-year deal last season. With the cap space the Chiefs have gotten from the L'Jarius Sneed trade, they can be expected to sign Smith back. Whether they do or don't sign him back, it remains clear that offensive tackle is still a pretty big need for the Chiefs as they try and go for the first-ever three-peat.

There are a ton of needs on this roster that need to be addressed before the Chiefs can think about three-peating. It won't be easy, but filling in some of those holes will make the job easier than it would be. They need to address the edge rushers, wide receivers, tight ends, linebackers, and offensive tackles. They can do that in the draft.

Now, where they go with their first pick, which is at No. 32 this year rather than No. 31 like last year, I have no idea. They could easily go edge rusher; if they did, they could get some really good guys. If they go wide receiver, they could get guys that help turn the offense back around. But they could also go offensive tackle and get a guy that helps protect Patrick Mahomes for the future.

If they were to go with an offensive tackle in the first round, which I think they should do at this very moment, there are three guys they should target who would be perfect for their offense. Now, if they end up signing Smith back to the roster, I think they may need to move down their list a bit to maybe the third round. But right now, these are the three guys they should get in the first round at offensive tackle if they decide to go that route:

Three offensive tackles Chiefs should target in round 1

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

If you have followed the Chiefs for some time now, you know they love offensive linemen from Oklahoma University. Creed Humphrey, the best center in the league, played at OU. Trey Smith, before transferring to Tennessee in college, was at OU. And Wanya Morris, who they drafted last season, played at OU. So, taking an offensive tackle from OU would follow a trend we have seen several times.

According to A to Z Sports' Big Board, Guyton is the 32nd overall player and the fifth-ranked offensive tackle in the draft. With how many tackles are going to go in the first round, Guyton will easily be the best one in the area the Chiefs are drafting. He could fall to No. 32, or he could go before. I have seen plenty of mock drafts that have Guyton going No. 25 to the Green Bay Packers, and I have seen some others having him just before the Chiefs pick. If the Chiefs grabbed him, they would be getting a very talented tackle. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:

STRENGTHS

• Long arms & densely packed frame
• Graceful mover with elite mirror skills & recovery ability
• Patient hand usage. Baits pass rushers & doesn't overextend
• Has firm grip strength when he gets his hands inside
• Quality play strength & flexibility to absorb power rushes
• Can displace defenders off the LOS when he stays centered on the block
• Speed & explosiveness to excel in any blocking scheme
• Stays square to the LOS in his pass sets & doesn't open up his hips prematurely

WEAKNESSES

• Inconsistent set depth forces him into difficult recoveries
• Delayed reactions to inside movement
• Inexperienced player with frequent breakdowns in technique
• Very few translatable reps in Oklahoma's offense
• Catches pass-rushers instead of striking with force
• Rarely finishes blocks in the run game
• Upright posture & high pad level limits his drive power
• Bends waist & falls through down blocks
• Struggles to secure & sustain 2nd level blocks
• The target location as a puller needs to be improved. Often seems unsure of his assignment

Amarius Mims, Georgia

Now, there is a very big chance that Mims does not make it to 32, and it's probably a bigger chance that he doesn't than the chances of him making it. But it can happen, as this is the NFL draft, where some of the craziest things happen. Mims has some flaws that could hold him back until the end of the first round. A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman recently did a mock draft with the Chiefs' first pick being Mims, so it can happen.

On A to Z Sports' Big Board, Mims is the 11th-ranked player in the draft and the fourth-ranked tackle in the draft. He has injury concerns that could cause him to fall in the draft. His huge frame and size have shown him to draw comparisons to Cam Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars. If he is there at 32, the Chiefs have to take him. Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses he has shown during his time in college:

STRENGTHS

• Size, frame, & movement skills of a top-5 pick
• Hunts & flattens linebackers
• Creates movement on drive blocks & double teams
• Only 7 pressures were allowed on 402 career pass-blocking snaps
• Patient & nuanced hand usage is impressive for such an inexperienced player
• Flashes & replaces outside hand to bait pass rushers
• Gets proper depth with his pass sets & has an excellent pocket range
• Rides speed rushers up the arc with balanced & controlled hips
• Quickly transitions to his anchor & doesn't give any ground
• Already powerful but has the frame to add even more mass

WEAKNESSES

• One of the least experienced players in this class. Just 803 career snaps & 8 starts
• Sometimes late to engage at the 2nd level & misses blocks when he's in a good position
• Leans head into contact & falls through down blocks
• Almost no experience blocking outside zone
• A high initial punch lands on top of the shoulder pads (improved in 2023)
• Puts up very little resistance to inside counters
• Will over-extend & open a path through the B-gap

Jordan Morgan, Arizona

When you look up Morgan on some big boards, you may see him listed as a guard, and that's because he has played guard but played 700 snaps at left tackle last season for the Arizona Wildcats. Morgan is interesting because he is very good at both positions but seems to get more attention as a tackle. Drafting Morgan would make sense for a few reasons, as he helps with the current OT issue, but if Morris develops nicely and the Chiefs can't pay Trey Smith at right guard next year, you now have Morgan, who could possibly fill in there.

Morgan had a total blocking grade of 84.3, a run-blocking grade of 77.0, and a pass-blocking grade of 87.3, per Pro Football Focus. His overall offensive-blocking grade (84.3) was fifth in the Pac-12. Morgan is better as a pass blocker but can get it done in the run game as well. Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses he has:

STRENGTHS

• Plays with good leverage/power on drive blocks
• Pass sets are balanced with smooth kick-slides
• Has the body control to locate & attach to 2nd level defenders
• Alert picking up stunts/blitzes
• Widens out defensive ends on the front of zone runs
• Uses outside hand to flash & bait pass rushers
• Adequate pocket range
• Can swivel his hips to secure reach blocks
• Comfortable replacing his punch & re-positioning his hands

WEAKNESSES

• Mediocre play strength gets walked back by the power
• Late/wide punch gives rushers access to his frame
• Soft inside hand, vulnerable to counters
• Has to open his hips & lunge at wide speed and rushes
• Below average length for an offensive tackle
• Lacks the speed to reach difficult targets at the 2nd level

The Chiefs will need to walk away from the 2024 NFL Draft with at least one offensive tackle. If they do decide to do that in the first round, these three guys are players they should target.