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Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Joshua Garnett

Stanford Cardinal guard Joshua Garnett (51) - Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford Cardinal guard Joshua Garnett (51) - Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 NFL Draft begins on Thursday and the Kansas City Chiefs need help along the offensive line. Will they decide to draft Joshua Garnett?

With the two guard spots open for the KC Chiefs, look for the team to address the position(s) in the 2016 NFL Draft. One of the better offensive guards on the big board this year is Stanford’s Joshua Garnett.

Garnett, a Consensus All-American player in 2015, played for two seasons with the Stanford Cardinal. He also won the 2015 Outland Trophy, which is given out to the best interior lineman each year.

Garnett is a tremendous blocker who could really excel with an NFL team. He has a powerful frame and was voted as a team captain for the Cardinal.

Combine Results

More from Chiefs Draft Analysis

  • 40-yard dash – 5.32 seconds
  • Bench press – 30 reps
  • Broad jump – 99.0 inch
  • 3-cone drill – 7.62 seconds
  • 20-yard shuttle – 4.62 seconds

Combine results courtesy of NFL.com’s Draft Tracker

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com projects that Joshua Garnett will be a second round pick by a team. The Chiefs could very well be that team, as they have bigger needs to fill in round one (cornerback, safety, or wide receiver), but could still use an offensive guard as well.

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Right now, the Chiefs have their set starting left tackle, center, and right tackle, but the guard spots are up for grabs. Zach Fulton could likely win one of those starting guard spots, as he started all 16 games during his rookie year in 2014, but became a “swing” player in 2015.

Garnett does have some athletic limitations that could really hurt him in the pros though. He could use some work on his foot work and he isn’t as great in the run game as his body type should allow him to be, according to CBS Sports.

Per Zierlein,

More from KC Kingdom

"Thick, powerful guard who can gain an early advantage in the rep and finish with authority. Garnett looks to establish a new line of scrimmage on every running play and is a great fit for a team looking to impose their will between the tackles. While he’s a plus run blocker, his pass protection issues should not be taken lightly and will have to be vetted with offensive line coaches to make sure they are correctable issues. Garnett should be an early round pick who can come in and start right away."

This is great to hear, as the Kansas City Chiefs absolutely need to draft a guard who can come in and play from day one. They have the starting spots out there for a young offensive guard and Joshua Garnett could fit that mold nicely.

While there are a few better choices at guard than Garnett (Cody Whitehair and Christian Westerman, for instance), Garnett is probably the third best guard on the board. With Whitehair likely to be taken in the first round, Garnett could end up being the best offensive guard available by the time the Chiefs go to pick in round two.

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Would you want the KC Chiefs to select Joshua Garnett with their second round pick?