KC Chiefs: Offensive tackle is still worth targeting in 2021 NFL Draft

The KC Chiefs traded for Orlando Brown, but they shouldn’t avoid drafting an offensive tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Trading for Orlando Brown was a classic Brett Veach kind of move that Kansas City Chiefs fans have become accustomed to since he took over as the team’s general manager. The starting left tackle for the 2021 season wasn’t on KC’s roster until this trade was made and it was a move that put the Chiefs over the top once again.

The hope is that the Chiefs can lock Brown up to a long-term contract and not have to worry about the left tackle position for several years. That’s not a certainty though and this is why the Chiefs need to continue looking to add depth at offensive tackle.

The KC Chiefs still need to add an offensive tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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The good news is that the Chiefs no longer need to address the position early. They likely would have had to spend their first-round pick or even trade up to land a tackle they felt was worthy of selecting and now they can focus on other needs with their first selection (now pick No. 58).

Linebacker is a huge need and at that point in the draft, the Chiefs might have a crack at Missouri product Nick Bolton, Texas EDGE rusher Joseph Ossai, or Jamin Davis of Kentucky. Cornerback is another position the Chiefs could look to target here instead and if they do, Aaron Robinson of UCF, Tyson Campbell of Georgia, or Kelvin Joseph of Kentucky could be options.

Wide receiver is the sexiest position as far as Chiefs’ needy positions go and they could land a really good No. 2 receiver in the second round. Dyami Brown of North Carolina or Tylan Wallace of Oklahoma State are names to watch here.

Of course, tackle could still be an option with the No. 58 pick too. Liam Eichenberg has seemingly plummeted out of the first round over the past few weeks and could still be available when the Chiefs are on the clock for the first time. Adding depth to the o-line is never a bad thing and if the Chiefs can get a decent value pick there at an important position, it’d be hard to be too angry about the decision.

Personally, I’d rather the Chiefs pass on taking a tackle in round two and wait until Day 3 to do so. There are some quality depth options that should be on the board late who could be developmental pieces for the Chiefs should Brown either not agree to an extension or simply not pan out.

Tackle might not be as important of a position now, but as the Kansas City Chiefs learned in the Super Bowl, the offensive line can make or break your team so it’s crucial not to entirely ignore it now that the problem looks to be solved.