The 2024 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and with the marquee weekend of the offseason nearly here, the internet is rife with projections and analysis on this year's top prospects.
Over the next several days, we're going to take a look at some position groups in this year's class while examining a handful of names to know. Here's a look at what we've covered so far:
We'll continue with the offensive tackles in this year's class. First, here's who Kansas City currently has under contract at that spot entering the 2024 campaign:
Chiefs Offensive Tackles Under Contract for the 2024 Season: Chukwuebuka Godrick, Wanya Morris, Lucas Niang, Jawaan Taylor
Five Names to Know
Depending on where you look, the various experts from around the web have identified a handful of offensive tackles who could potentially go during the first two days of the draft. Five of those players, which are listed below, will likely be unavailable by the time Kansas City makes its first-round selection:
- Notre Dame's Joe Alt
- Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga
- Washington's Troy Fautanu
- Penn State's Olumuyiwa Fashanu
- Alabama's JC Latham
Fortunately, this year's class is deep with offensive tackle prospects beyond those players. Here's a look at five players to know who could potentially be available to the Chiefs within the first two rounds, including where they currently rank among their peers according to the pundits.
Additionally, some players feature analysis from the folks at Pro Football Focus, NFL.com and The Athletic.
Amarius Mims - Georgia
Measurables: 6-foot-8, 340 pounds
Snapshot: Mims started just eight games during his career at Georgia, but he was certain to make the most of them, yielding a grand total of zero sacks in those starts. The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote that Mims carries 340 pounds "better than anyone I have ever seen."
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 22 overall (No. 6 OT)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): No. 19 overall (No. 5 OT)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 3): No. 22 overall (No. 6 OT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "...He brings sky-high potential. He'll take some developing, but trench players built like this don't make it out of the top 50."
NFL.com: "Overall, there is risk because of the limited body of work, but Mims is a unique talent."
The Athletic: "...He is a natural in pass protection with above-average length, footwork and body twitch to handle different types of edge rushers. Though there is projection involved with his draft grade, his best football is ahead of him, and he has the talent to become a long-term starter at left or right tackle."
For more on Mims, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Tyler Guyton – Oklahoma
Measurables: 6-foot-8, 322 pounds
Snapshot: A two-year starter at right tackle for the Sooners, Guyton allowed just 12 pressures on 355 pass-blocking snaps last season.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 30 overall (No. 8 OT)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): No. 27 overall (No. 6 OT)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 3): No. 23 overall (No. 7 OT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "...There aren't many offensive linemen who have a better athletic mold. He has starting-caliber NFL gifts but must eliminate negatives in both the run and pass games to succeed at the next level."
NFL.com: "...He has elite traits and tools."
The Athletic: "...He has the athletic tools and fundamental skills to develop into a high-level offensive tackle. He has the talent to play left or right tackle, although his comfort level is clearly on the right side . As long as he stays motivated and healthy, he will continue on an upward trajectory."
For more on Guyton, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Kingsley Suamataia – BYU
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 326 pounds
Snapshot: Suamataia was the Cougars' starting right tackle in 2022 (12 starts) before flipping to the left side this past season (11 starts). He surrendered just two sacks in his last 742 pass-blocking snaps.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 45 overall (No. 10 OT)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): No. 40 overall (No. 7 OT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Suamataia is a dream prospect to draft and develop somewhere on Day 2."
The Athletic: "...His blend of size, mobility and core power are the foundation of a scheme-diverse NFL starter. He will require a patient coaching staff who can ease his transition to the pro level."
For more on Suamataia, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Jordan Morgan - Arizona
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 311 pounds
Snapshot: A four-year starter at left tackle for Arizona, Morgan returned from a torn ACL suffered late in the 2022 season to start 12 games last year and earn First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. The experts appear to be split on if Morgan projects as a tackle or a guard in the NFL.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 40 overall (No. 9 OT)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): No. 29 overall (No. 2 OG)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 3): No. 49 overall (No. 8 OT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Morgan needs to get stronger, whether he plays tackle or guard in the NFL, but he has desirable athletic traits, such as fast hands and feet, that bolster his starting-caliber potential."
The Athletic: "...He is a balanced mover who is well-schooled and physical in all phases. Though he can survive at tackle in the NFL, his skill set projects much better inside at guard, similar to Matthew Bergeron."
NFL.com: "Morgan is just over a year removed from ACL surgery, and I'm hopeful he can add more strength/power now that he's healthy. Overall, he has starting tackle ability."
For more on Morgan, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Patrick Paul – Houston
Measurables: 6-foot-7, 331 pounds
Snapshot: Paul logged 44 starts at left tackle during his career, including each of the Cougars' 39 games over the last three seasons. He was a First-Team All-Big 12 honoree in 2023.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 90 overall (No. 13 OT)
Dane Brugler (The Athletic): No. 59 overall (No. 8 OT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Paul's size alone makes him worth betting on, and his improvement in his fundamentals from 2022 to 2023 was encouraging. He has the frame of a starting-caliber offensive tackle but does need to get quicker and more fundamentally sound — particularly with his hands and feet — to become a reliable long-term lineman."
The Athletic: "Overall, Paul has the size and length to keep defenders occupied, but his rhythm breaks down quickly, and opponents will find success until he improves his rudimentary recovery technique and hand usage. Similar in ways to Chukwuma Okorafor, he has the tools to develop into a functional NFL starter, but he might require a redshirt year."
For more on Paul, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
