Kansas City Chiefs: Projecting the offensive line

Left Guard:?

The left guard position has often been what keeps the Chiefs line from reaching their full potential. On a line that has some pretty solid players at other positions, left guard has been the consistent weak point for the Chiefs. There has been no consistency to this point at the position over the last few seasons, and we still don’t know who will start there in 2018.

Kansas City has multiple options to look at coming into training camp and preseason. Along with Bryan Witzmann who was last year’s starter, he will face competition from Parker Ehinger and undrafted rookie free agent Ryan Hunter for the job.

Hunter was a three-year starter at tackle for Bowling Green who was heavily sought after in the Canadian league. He was rated as the number one prospect in the Canadian draft this last spring. Fortunately, Hunter decided to stay in the states in an attempt to find a place in the NFL.

Reports from Chiefs camps indicate that head coach Andy Reid was looking long and hard at Hunter as he earned some starting reps with the offensive line. Whether that will continue in camp and preseason will be something to keep an eye on.

The other battle for Witzmann will be Parker Ehinger, the 2016 fourth-round pick and fan favorite. One season after selecting center Mitch Morse and in the same offseason the team signed right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, it seemed things were turning around for the offensive line. Ehinger looked promising early in his rookie season benching Fulton, but then came the torn ACL that has kept him out since.

In 2017, there were reports of Ehinger being healthy but was not given his starting role back as Witzmann continued to play in that position. While Ehinger likely has the highest ceiling of the group, we have only seen him play for a handfull of games in his short NFL career. Fans seem convinced that he is the savior for the entire offensive line. Will the Chiefs in 2018?