In a recent report that has sparked buzz across the NFL landscape, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has hinted at the possibility of the Kansas City Chiefs making a bold move in the upcoming NFL Draft. According to Miller, the Chiefs could be looking to trade up in the first round to select a top offensive tackle prospect—a move that would demonstrate the team’s continued commitment to protecting franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes and sustaining their championship window.
The Chiefs, who hold the 32nd pick in the first round as reigning Super Bowl champions, are reportedly not content to sit back and wait for talent to fall into their lap. Instead, the team could look to aggressively move up the draft board in search of an elite offensive tackle to reinforce an already strong offensive line. Miller emphasized that while Kansas City has done a solid job addressing their line in past seasons, there is still a clear desire to continue investing in Mahomes’ protection—particularly at the tackle position.
“In conversations I’ve had with people around the league, the Chiefs are one of the teams to watch if a top-tier offensive tackle starts to slide,” Miller said. “They’ve been aggressive in the past, and they know how valuable it is to keep Mahomes upright. Don’t be surprised if they try to jump into the teens or low twenties to grab a guy they really like.”
The Chiefs lost veteran left tackle Donovan Smith to free agency this offseason, leaving a significant void on Mahomes’ blindside. While 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris has shown potential, the front office may prefer a more proven or higher-ceiling option to anchor the left side of the line. The upcoming draft features a strong class of offensive tackles, including prospects like Joe Alt (Notre Dame), Olu Fashanu (Penn State), Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), and JC Latham (Alabama). However, most of these players are projected to go in the top 20 picks—meaning Kansas City would likely need to part with future draft capital to make a leap up the board.
General manager Brett Veach has not been shy about making aggressive moves in the past. From trading up for Mahomes in 2017 to executing key in-season trades and free-agent signings, Veach has proven he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep
