Kansas City Chiefs: Training Camp Battle at Left Guard

The Kansas City Chiefs are beginning training camp this week, and the left guard position is still a question mark. Who will start in 2018?

The Kansas City Chiefs start training camp this week, and the veterans report today. Probably the most significant competition on the offensive side of the ball is the left guard position. Easily the weakness of the offensive line a year ago, the Chiefs need to figure something out at the position for first-year starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Coming into the 2018 preseason, the Chiefs ranked around the middle of the pack in Pro Football Focus’ offensive line rankings. The left guard struggles have effected left tackle Eric Fisher. When Ehinger was performing well in his start of the 2016 season, Fisher played well. Since then, Fisher has tried to overcompensate on the left side without a lineman next to him that he can trust.

The rankings also mention center Mitch Morse who will be coming back from injury this season. Andy Reid spoke on Sunday that Morse would be ready to enter training camp. He was on the field and participating with the team the last two days.

It appears that the Chiefs are moving on from 2017’s starter Bryan Witzmann. According to Chiefs Digest, Parker Ehinger and Ryan Hunter were sharing starting snaps at left guard during OTAs. Ehinger seems to be the fan favorite which is surprising with his limited time on the field.

Ehinger tore his ACL in 2016 after starting just four games. Despite feeling healthy coming into the 2017 season, he never started at left guard for Kansas City. His only playing time came in Week 17 when the Chiefs played almost entirely backups, and it was at the right guard position. Head coach Andy Reid seemed optimistic about Ehinger coming into camp this season, however.

Ehinger will have some competition from Hunter who is a UDFA out of Bowling Green. The Chiefs seem very high on the young Canadian who decided to play in the NFL instead of being drafted extremely high in the Canadian league this season. Hunter was the top-rated prospect for the CFL Draft this season.

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Given the departure of Zach Fulton this offseason, the Chiefs are in need of versatility on the offensive line. Hunter is a player that fits the bill being able to play multiple positions giving him an edge at making the roster. He shows the agility and ability to get out into space which is something the Chiefs require from their offensive linemen.