Kansas City Chiefs

We credit Pro Football Focus, STATS LLC and Football Outsiders with OL performance data

The offensive line play in Kansas City has slowly declined in recent years. This was a poor pass-blocking unit in 2014, and an average run blocking unit at best. To make matters worse, the Chiefs lost their best lineman, C Rodney Hudson, to the division-rival Raiders.

Kansas City has been active in the NFL Draft, selecting OT Eric Fisher with the No. 1 overall pick in 2013 and selecting offensive guards Mitch Morse and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in 2014 and 2015.

The Chiefs cut bait on poor performers Ryan Harris, Jeff Linkebach, and Mike McGlynn in the offseason. We’re not sure adding OG Paul Fanaika was an upgrade. He graded terribly at OG in Arizona over his last 30 starts, and Arizona had been one of the worst offensive lines in the league during his tenure.

Projected Starting Lineup

Eric Fisher, LT 6’7″ 315 pounds– Graded poorly at RT as a rookie in 2013 and LT in 2014, young LTs tend to take a leap in year 2 which offers some hope, will be a major blow to the franchise if the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 draft doesn’t shape up

Ben Grubbs, LG 6’3″ 310 pounds– Acquired from the Saints for a fifth-round pick, was one of the leagues Top OGs in 2012 and 2013 but saw a drop off in play in 2014, still – a respectable starter that will be an upgrade for KC

Eric Kush, C 6’4″ 313 pounds– Rodney Hudson’s defection has opened the door for Kush, late-round pick in the 2013 draft, played zero snaps last season after being in on 73 plays as a rookie, the team’s personnel department is very high on Kush

Jeff Allen, RG 6’4″ 306 pounds– Went down in Week 1 last season and was placed on injured reserve, has experience all over the line, started 16 games at left guard in 2013 and graded poorly, will be pushed by Fanaika and Tardif

Donald Stephenson, RT 6’6″ 312 pounds– Started four games at left tackle in 2013 but only played 31 snaps last season, has been uninspiring in his limited duty shuffling between RT/LT, has flashed at RT at times but has mainly been a depth player

Notes-

This is a C-grade group with developmental upside. It’s been a better run-blocking group than pass-blocking unit in the past, so we’ll give Jamaal Charles some benefit of doubt – but this line is certainly not ideal. Neither is Knile Davis cutting into his touches more than anyone wants to admit. Charles is a safe pick in the Top 3, but his ADP at #2 overall is a bit too rich for us. Davis is one of the most important handcuffs in all of fantasy football.

We’ll never tell you to draft Alex Smith, although he will undoubtedly be a reasonable in-season waiver wire option at times. The Chiefs dink-and-dunk offense is a good match for this shaky offensive line. Travis Kelce and Jamaal Charles will be Smith’s safety valves, while Jeremy Maclin is going to have to do most of his damage after the catch in Kansas City. It’s a horrible drain on Maclin’s value.

Depth

Mitch Morse– NFL Draft Expert Mike Loyko’s No. 7 ranked OG in the 2015 draft, was a Round 2 pick, Loyko writes:

“Morse is a similar player to Justin Britt who was over-drafted in the second round last year, but went on to have a solid rookie season in Seattle. Morse has a strong upper-body allowing him to play with functional power. He locates his punch well and can control edge rushers once he latches on. Utilizes a combination of power and body positioning to succeed. Morse has played Center, Left Tackle, and Right Tackle. In the NFL he could slide inside to Guard or kick back to right tackle. His short arms are a concern at OT. At OG his initial quickness and mobility will play up. He can get out of his stance to pull, trap, or lead up to the second level”

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif– A Round 6 pick in 2014, was a medical student, tested very well in pre-draft athletic measurements, considered a gritty player and has grown to be a dominating Canadian 315-pound left tackle who was expected to be the first pick of the CFL draft, projects best inside in the pros and could prove to be one of the best players to come from Canada’s developmental system, he was inactive his rookie season but Andy Reid has praised him as “strong and athletic, and smart,” the team thinks he’s a good prospect and it’s only a matter of time until he starts

Derrick Sherrod– A Round 1 pick in 2011, suffered a severe leg injury late in his rookie year that cost him the 2012/2013 seasons, graded poorly in his limited play in Green Bay

Tavon Rooks– Late -ound 2014 draft pick, zero NFL in-game experience and on his third NFL team, was considered a long-limbed college right tackle with developmental traits coming out