The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down the final stretch of the regular season with a golden opportunity-and not just the kind that involves playoff seeding or postseason momentum. With their offensive line depth already tested and their postseason hopes officially dashed, the Chiefs have little reason not to take a hard look at two young linemen who’ve been waiting in the wings: Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hanson.
Both were late-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft-Nourzad in the fifth round out of Penn State and Hanson in the seventh from Holy Cross. Now, nearly halfway through their rookie contracts, they remain largely untested.
And that’s the real issue here. With nothing left to lose and everything to gain in terms of development and evaluation, the Chiefs would be wise to give one-or both-of these guys a shot at live NFL reps before the season wraps.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about throwing darts at a depth chart. This is about smart roster management and forward thinking.
Right now, Mike Caliendo is holding down the right guard spot in place of the injured Trey Smith. Caliendo’s been a steady presence, and coaches clearly trust him to keep the floor from collapsing.
But let’s not sugarcoat it-he’s also been the weak link in an otherwise solid offensive front protecting Patrick Mahomes. The idea that neither Nourzad nor Hanson could offer a higher ceiling-or at least a comparable floor-feels more like risk aversion than sound football logic.
We’ve already seen the Chiefs show some flexibility up front. When Wanya Morris went down in Week 14, Kansas City turned to Esa Pole at left tackle, who was himself a backup.
Pole held his own against Houston, and the coaching staff didn’t hesitate to praise his performance. That willingness to adapt paid off.
So why not apply the same mindset at right guard?
Nourzad brings versatility and pedigree. He was a multi-year starter in the Big Ten and came into the league with experience at both guard spots and center.
He wasn’t just a throwaway pick-he was ranked as the No. 4 center in the draft class by one of the more respected evaluators in the business. That kind of versatility is gold in the NFL, especially for a team like Kansas City that values positional flexibility on the offensive line.
Hanson, on the other hand, is more of a developmental bet. He came out of Holy Cross with eye-popping athletic traits and has spent most of this season on the practice squad.
But here’s the kicker: the Chiefs used up all of his in-season elevations and eventually signed him to the active roster. That doesn’t happen by accident.
If the coaching staff didn’t see something worth investing in, Hanson wouldn’t still be here. Seventh-round picks don’t get that kind of leash unless there’s real potential.
And that’s the crux of the argument. If you’re going to keep a player like Hanson on the 53-man roster, especially at a position where your current starter is a known quantity with a capped ceiling, then what’s the harm in giving him a look?
Worst-case scenario, he struggles and you go back to Caliendo. Best case?
You uncover a young player who can contribute now and maybe even push for a bigger role down the line.
The Chiefs have built their dynasty on smart decisions, not just in the draft room but in how they develop and deploy their talent. This is one of those moments where the right move is staring them in the face.
With Trey Smith still sidelined, the door is open. Nourzad or Hanson-or both-deserve a chance to walk through it.
At this point in the season, it’s not about protecting the status quo. It’s about finding out what you’ve got before it's too late.