After months and months of speculation, the truth is finally about to come out.
Thursday is the first round of the NFL Draft, and the Kansas City Chiefs have a score to settle. With a strong draft, they can re-establish themselves as Super Bowl contenders after their brutal loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February’s big game.
The Chiefs were dominated in the trenches during the Super Bowl, and the offensive line in particular looked in desperate need of reinforcements. Kansas City attempted to do so by signing former San Francisco 49ers tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year contract in free agency.
However, one NFL writer still believes there’s more work to be done up front, and that on Thursday night, the Chiefs will go out and make it happen with a major trade.
On Thursday, FanSided’s Price Carter predicted that the Chiefs would send the 31st and 95th overall picks to the Minnesota Vikings for the 24th pick, using their new, improved selection on Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons.
“All draft season long, we’ve been resisting the urge to give the Chiefs a first-round tackle—partly because of their investment in Jaylon Moore and partly because of an underwhelming tackle class,” Carter wrote.
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“However, there’s more and more smoke that the Chiefs are serious about fixing tackle long-term. Josh Simmons might be the perfect scenario for this to work. With some lingering questions about his character and the recovery from his patellar tear, this is the only situation a player this talented falls to the Chiefs.”
Simmons, 22, suffered a knee injury in the Buckeyes’ sixth game of the season that held him out for the rest of the year, including the national championship run. He was still named All-Big 10 honorable mention, and looked like a high first-rounder before the injury.
Kansas City would be betting big on Simmons by giving up their third-round pick to get him. But he could be worth the investment and then some if he gives Patrick Mahomes a clean pocket for several years to come.
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