Early 2025 NFL Mock Draft Gives KC Chiefs’ Andy Heck Another Offensive Tackle

Is there such a thing as selection? too many Offensive Tackles in the NFL Draft? A respected draft analyst for a major media outlet believes the sky is the limit for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last year it was Wanya Morris in a small trade up in the third round. This year the reigning Super Bowl champions landed Kingsley Suamataia in another small Day 2 maneuver. You’d think that would give offensive line coach Andy Heck plenty to work with, but Matt Miller of ESPN chooses a different approach.

In Miller’s recent prediction of how the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft will play out, he predicts Kansas City will take NC State offensive tackle Anthony Belton with the 31st pick. Miller’s logic is sound: Brett Veach has thrown bodies at the tackle position, but there’s room for improvement on both sides.

“Despite how well the Chiefs have constructed and managed their roster, there is a dearth of answers at offensive tackle,” Miller wrote. “Second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia likely clears one tackle spot, potentially replacing right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who struggled last season. Belton, a two-year starter at left tackle, allowed one sack last year and surprises with his easy movement at 6-5, 345 pounds. If the Chiefs like Suamataia at right tackle (which is where most scouts projected him prior to the draft), Belton could fit nicely at left tackle to give Patrick Mahomes more time in the pocket.”

At this stage, the Chiefs appear to be sticking with what they have and avoiding pursuing another tackle. Even if Morris or Suamataia – or both – struggle in 2024, Veach and Co. can simply use trade or the free agency market to shore things up. The draft next April is a logical option if necessary, but the First It seems highly unlikely that he will pick a tackle.

There’s also the question of whether Taylor would be replaced in 2025. As it stands, guarantees in his contract give him a staggering $29.45 million in dead cap charges if he’s fired before June 1, 2025. Such a move would save the Chiefs $4.725 million against the cap, a paltry sum by comparison. The real window to move on from Taylor (if he wants to) appears to be the 2026 midseason, when he’d incur less than $5 million in dead money if fired while saving $20 million.

Even then, Taylor was formidable in 2023-24 as he put his notorious penalty woes aside. For better or worse, Kansas City will roll with him on the right side again and let the winner of the ongoing Morris-Suamataia battle keep the left tackle position. Again, there are alternate realities where that plan doesn’t work out, but a first-round draft pick in 2025 is far down the list.

This has very little to do with Belton as a player. The Florida native started every game in 2023 at left tackle and was named third-team All-ACC for his performance. Since 2022, he has experience protecting his quarterback’s blind side. This past campaign, Focus on professional football gave him a 71.5 pass blocking grade and a healthy 65.9 composite offense grade. With over 1,500 snaps under his belt and more in 2024, he’s a potential first-round pick for a reason. Belton will make a team happy nine months from now.

Until there is sufficient reason to think otherwise, it is difficult to imagine that club being the Chiefs.

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