Chiefs Solidify Offensive Line Woes In Latest Mock Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs need offensive line help, and they get it in the first round of the NFL Draft.

One of the biggest needs for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason is to fortify Patrick Mahomes‘ protection.

In the Super Bowl loss, the line couldn’t stop a nosebleed as the Philadelphia Eagles defensive front feasted all game, and with the looming free agency loss of Trey Smith, the Chiefs need to reinforce the offensive line.

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They could go about it through free agency, with a host of veteran players available, but they could also look to the draft and fill the need there. Either way, the Chiefs have to do something this offseason to give Mahomes better protection.

In Gennaro Filice’s latest mock draft for NFL.com, the Chiefs add Ohio State tackle Donovan Jackson.

“Jackson’s a talented guard who deftly transitioned to left tackle as an injury replacement during Ohio State’s national title campaign,” Filice writes. “He’s built to play inside at the NFL level, though that documented versatility could be an added bonus for an offensive line that’s clearly lacking on the edges.”

If Jackson is selected and Andy Reid looks to use him at tackle, that would mean Joe Thuney can then shift inside to guard.

Bringing a physical presence to the Chiefs offensive line, Mahomes’ blindside blocker loves to finish his blocks … all the way to the turf. Solid in pass protection, Jackson isn’t as well-rounded as some other offensive linemen in the class, but the Chiefs have a knack for getting the most out of their players.

Kansas City needs to fortify its line, and in Jackson, it gets a solid prospect who can help improve the protection for one of the best quarterbacks in football.