Kansas City struggled at left tackle throughout the 2024 season.
By far, left tackle was the Kansas City Chiefs‘ biggest weakness in 2024. As we near the start of the new league year, there will be hot debate over the team’s options at this important position. Let’s dive into what the Chiefs could do.
In-house solutions
Since the cupboard seemed so bare in 2024, it may seem insane to think Kansas City will find an in-house answer. But there is a path where the Chiefs could fix this thing by keeping the pieces now on hand.
D.J. Humphries
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The former Arizona Cardinals tackle is the most popular in-house option. The argument for Humphries is that we never got a good look at him in 2024. The Chiefs signed him in late November — right after he was medically cleared from 2023’s ACL injury. But in his first game with Kansas City, Humphries injured his hamstring. While he eventually returned to the field, he never started again.
Pros: A former Pro Bowl player, Humphries is a natural left tackle. The Chiefs should be able to re-sign him at a reasonable price tag. ACLs usually take over a year to completely heal, so there is a chance he will come back stronger in 2025.
Cons: He is now a free agent, so Kansas City will have to compete with other teams for Humphries’ services. He is also 31 years old — and knee injuries affect big men differently than smaller guys. It’s hard to predict how his body will react and heal as he ages.
Kingsley Suamataia
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In his rookie season, the Chiefs may have done Suamataia’s development a disservice by rushing him into the starting lineup. While the former second-round draft pick is full of unrealized potential, he needs to improve in several key areas before he will be ready to start in 2025.
Pros: He is still on his rookie deal, so the Chiefs have three more years of control. Just 22 years old, he has the upside to be a cornerstone of the offensive line.
Cons: Suamataia didn’t just look green in 2024. He looked like he had no business being on the field. There is a chance his flaws will prevent him from reaching his potential. Did playing him too early damage his development?
Bottom line: Whether Kansas City rolls with Humphries or Suamataia, it will be taking a risk that it will once again be neck-deep into the season with no options at left tackle.
Other options: Wanya Morris and Ethan Driskell
Free agent bargain barrel
The Chiefs currently have about $4.3 million in cap space, so they are unlikely to be big players in free agency. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t take a swing at a bargain, hoping to strike gold.
Jaylon Moore
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One player who could be a free-agent lottery ticket is the former San Francisco 49ers left tackle.
Pros: Moore allowed one sack and two QB hits in 158 pass reps last season. In the five games he started, he posted a PFF pass-blocking grade of 75 or more in four of them. He is still just 27 years old.
Cons: As with Humphries and Suamataia, his sample size is limited. He is still a question mark.
Bottom line: If the Chiefs go this way, they would still need to draft another player with the idea of letting everyone compete for the job — which is not exactly finding a solution.
Swing for a home run trade
Left tackles are like quarterbacks: if a team has one, it is not likely to trade them. This means a trade comes at a high price.
Alaric Jackson
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While I have no idea if the Los Angeles Rams would be willing to move Jackson, we do know they have been open to moving players like veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Pros: Just 26 years old, Jackson played over 1000 snaps at left tackle last season, allowing just three sacks and four quarterback hits. His game is well-balanced. He is athletic enough that if a play breaks down, he can get out in space to block for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Cons: At 6 foot 7 and 285 pounds, he’s a little light for the job. He can be inconsistent from week to week.
Bottom line: The Chiefs are short on draft assets. Would they be willing to part with the capital it would take to acquire Jackson?
A draft solution
The Chiefs have one disadvantage from making the Super Bowl so often: each year, they are picking at the bottom of the draft. By the time they are on the clock, the top players at premium positions like tackle are usually gone. That said, I like a few players in 2025’s draft class for Kansas City — especially this one.
Josh Conerly Jr.
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Conerly played left tackle for over 1,600 snaps with the Oregon Ducks — a team ranked No. 1 in the country for most of the 2024 season.
Pros: An excellent pass blocker, Conerly gets back in his set quickly and handles speed rushers with ease. He is very athletic for his size, allowing only two sacks in two seasons as a starter. He is only 21 years old.
Cons: Conerly needs to get stronger, because sometimes he can struggle against power and get bowled over by a bull rush. He needs to be more consistent — and the Chiefs might have to move up a couple of spots in the draft to secure his services.
Bottom line: I like Conerly as the Chiefs’ best option this offseason. He has rare athleticism for his size. He could start Day 1 and still have enough upside to grow into a Pro Bowl player.
What do you think?