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KC Chiefs select Alex Leatherwood with first round pick in latest mock draft

Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) -Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) -Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Would Alex Leatherwood make sense with the KC Chiefs? That’s who they were linked to in a recent mock draft. 

The Kansas City Chiefs have been tied to offensive linemen throughout the mock draft process and it’s not hard to see why. The offense line was banged up this year and the futures of tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz are uncertain due to recent injuries.

That’s why I wasn’t shocked when I saw that Jacob Holley of With the First Pick mocked an offensive lineman to the Chiefs in the first round. Holley had the Chiefs going with Alex Leatherwood out of Alabama and had this to say about that decision,

"He protected Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side at right tackle, but he had right-hander Mac Jones behind center this year to take off some of that pressure. He could be a day-one starter at right guard for the Chiefs, but with the right coaching he could play any position on the line proficiently other than center.This is a smart pick for a team that just gave its starting quarterback the largest contract in football history."

Versatility will be key for the Chiefs as far as offensive linemen are concerned and that’s been a big part of why their offensive line has played okay despite all of the injuries. Holley mentions that Leatherwood is usually at right guard, but that he could be moved around the line if need be (aside from the center position).

More from Chiefs Draft Analysis

Would Alex Leatherwood make sense for the KC Chiefs in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft?

Alabama always has one of the best offensive lines in college football so it’s no wonder the Chiefs keep being linked to different members of the Crimson Tide (Deonte Brown was mocked to them in another recent draft). While I’d be fine with the Chiefs adding depth along the line, they’re going to get both Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Lucas Niang back for the 2021 season, as both of those guys opted out but will return this year.

If Schwartz isn’t the same dominating right tackle that he once was and Fisher is still recovering from his injury, then the Chiefs could be in a position where finding an offensive lineman is much more important. Leatherwood would do well in Kansas City, standing at 6’5″ and 312 pounds. The Draft Network has his best fit at either guard spot but notes that he could experiment at a tackle position if the need is there.

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What do you think, Chiefs Kingdom? Would you be okay with the Chiefs drafting Alex Leatherwood in the first round?