Chiefs’ Offensive Line Taking Shape - But Right Tackle Remains the Puzzle
For all the ups and downs of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 campaign, one unit quietly laid the foundation for future success: the offensive line. When healthy, this group wasn’t just solid - it was a legitimate strength. And while most of the attention naturally goes to Patrick Mahomes and his arsenal of weapons, the guys in the trenches deserve their flowers - especially the left side, which entered last season with more questions than answers.
Let’s start with Josh Simmons. Coming into the year, the rookie left tackle had plenty of doubters.
Would he be healthy enough to contribute? Could he handle the jump from college ball to protecting Mahomes’ blind side?
Despite missing time due to personal reasons and a dislocated wrist, Simmons showed exactly why the Chiefs took a chance on him. When he was on the field, he looked like a future cornerstone - poised, athletic, and technically ahead of schedule.
The best part? None of those injuries are expected to linger into 2026.
Then there’s Kingsley Suamataia - perhaps the best feel-good story on the roster last year. After struggling at left tackle early in his career, Suamataia’s move inside to left guard raised eyebrows.
Replacing an All-Pro like Joe Thuney is no small task. But Suamataia didn’t just survive - he thrived.
His size and athleticism translated beautifully to the interior, and week by week, you could see his technique sharpening. At just 23 years old, he’s already shown flashes of dominance.
If this is what he looks like now, imagine what he could become by the end of his rookie deal.
Add in Creed Humphrey at center and Trey Smith at right guard - both rock-solid, franchise-caliber players - and the Chiefs have four-fifths of an offensive line that can anchor this offense for years to come.
The One Lingering Question: Right Tackle
That brings us to the one spot that’s still a bit unsettled: right tackle. Kansas City has two in-house options in Jawaan Taylor and Jaylon Moore, but neither is locked in as the long-term answer - and their contract situations complicate things.
Let’s start with Taylor. He’s been the starter for three seasons now, and while his play-by-play performance is better than many fans give him credit for, the penalties have been a recurring issue.
And not the kind you can live with - we’re talking drive-killers. The frustrating part is that many of them are avoidable.
But here’s the real problem: Taylor is set to count $27 million against the cap in 2026. That’s elite tackle money, and right now, he’s not delivering elite results.
Cutting him would save the team $20 million, and given the cap implications, that’s a real possibility.
Could a restructure be on the table? Maybe, but it would likely require a pay cut and added years - not something that typically excites a player still in his prime.
And make no mistake, Taylor will have suitors if he hits the open market. At 28 and relatively healthy, he could be one of the top right tackles available - especially when you consider that other big names like Rob Havenstein and Jack Conklin are on the wrong side of 30 and come with injury concerns.
So even with his flaws, Taylor’s value on the market might exceed what the Chiefs are willing to pay.
As for Moore, the financials suggest he’s more likely to stick around. Cutting him would save close to $8 million, but there’s still a significant dead cap hit.
More importantly, Moore brings veteran depth - something that’s crucial when you’re building around young talents like Simmons and Suamataia. He might not be a long-term fix, but as a swing tackle or even a short-term starter, he holds value.
And with the Chiefs needing to find cap space elsewhere, keeping Moore makes sense.
Free Agency: Slim Pickings at Tackle
If the Chiefs do move on from Taylor, don’t expect them to find their next right tackle in free agency. The market just isn’t there.
Braden Smith might be the top name available, but he’ll likely command a price Kansas City won’t want to pay. Beyond that, the options get murky.
Havenstein and Conklin are aging and injury-prone. Jonah Williams is younger but has struggled to stay on the field, playing just 15 games over the past two seasons.
Unless the Chiefs are looking for depth pieces, this isn’t the avenue to solve their right tackle issue.
The Draft: A Smart Play on Day 2
That brings us to the draft - and this is where things get interesting. With the ninth overall pick, the Chiefs could have their pick of some high-end right tackle prospects.
Spencer Fano from Utah and Francis Mauioga from Miami both fit the bill as top-10 talents. But here’s the catch: investing that kind of capital in a position that’s already a team strength may not be the best use of resources.
When healthy, this offensive line is already among the better units in the league. Would adding a top-10 right tackle make them better?
Sure. But the gains might be marginal compared to what the team could get by using that pick on a defensive lineman, a wide receiver, or even a running back - positions with more pressing needs.
The good news is Kansas City isn’t limited to that one first-round pick. They’re picking early in every round, and Day 2 could be the sweet spot for finding a future right tackle. There’s a solid group of prospects projected to go in the second or third round who could develop into starters - or even push for the job right away.
Here are a few names worth keeping an eye on:
- Gennings Dunker, Iowa - A physical mauler with strong hands and a mean streak.
- Monroe Freeling, Georgia - Athletic and technically sound, with room to grow.
- Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern - Smart, reliable, and battle-tested in the Big Ten.
- Isaiah World, Oregon - Explosive off the snap with upside as a pass protector.
- Brian Parker II, Duke - A technician with great footwork and balance.
- Drew Shelton, Penn State - Versatile and consistent, could play multiple spots.
- Austin Barber, Florida - Long, lean, and athletic with a high ceiling.
- Jude Bowry, Boston College - Powerful and experienced, a plug-and-play candidate.
The Bottom Line
The Chiefs are in a strong position up front, but they’re one piece away from locking in their offensive line for the foreseeable future. Cutting Taylor makes financial sense, and while Moore isn’t a long-term solution, he’s a valuable depth piece who can hold down the fort.
Free agency won’t be the answer - not this year. But the draft?
That’s where Kansas City can find its next right tackle. With multiple early picks and a deep crop of mid-round talent, the Chiefs have a chance to add a young, affordable piece to an already formidable unit.
Come training camp, Moore might be the veteran placeholder. But if one of those rookies shows up ready to compete, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs roll out a brand-new bookend on the right side - and with it, one of the most complete offensive lines in football.