It’s no secret that the Kansas City Chiefs had trouble protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes last season.
The world saw it play out during the Super Bowl loss in February, but the Chiefs still have some of the best offensive linemen in the league. ESPN ranked two Chiefs offensive linemen in the top four league wide recently.
That’s center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that the decision was based on results from surveying coaches, executives, and scouts around the NFL.
“Last year, Humphrey made the case as the best overall center since Jason Kelce,” Fowler wrote. “Now, he’s the top interior linemen thanks to consistency in the voting. He’s the only one to appear on every ballot and was a top-three recipient on the majority of them.”
As for Smith, the Chiefs believed that his performance in the Super Bowl “will hardly define him” as Fowler noted.
“That Kansas City franchise tagged Smith at $23.4 million says a lot about the quality of the player,” Fowler wrote. “The Chiefs are often salary cap-strapped and aren’t afraid to let marquee free agents walk… but Smith is too unique to escape the Chiefs’ facility.”
Both Humphrey and Smith will get to begin proving they deserve those rankings when training camp begins on July 22. Mahomes could use great seasons from both after taking 36 sacks in the regular season and another 11 in the playoffs last season.
What NFL Coaches, Executives Said About Chiefs Linemen
GettyKansas City Chiefs offensive linemen Trey Smith (left) and Creed Humphrey (right) block for Patrick Mahomes.
For Humphrey, an NFL coordinator had high praise of what the 26-year-old veteran can do in pass protection.
“He’s great in pass protection, great feet and instincts,” the coordinator said via Fowler. “Not a mauler in the running game but can get it done enough. Deals with chaos well and can navigate a lot of moving parts for that offense.”
“If you can isolate him one-on-one, you can kick his ass a little bit,” the coordinator added via Fowler. But that’s not true most of the time. Humphrey did not allow a quick pressure (under 2.5 seconds) across 653 pass-blocking snaps during the regular season.”
As Fowler noted, Humphrey had a 96.2 pass block rating last season, and Humphrey had a 73.2 run block win rate. Humphrey notably ranked seven among linemen for ESPN’s rankings last year.
For Smith, one AFC executive had glowing remarks about what the formerly ninth-ranked guard can do.
“Power, brute strength, physicality — he’s a people-mover and a people-stopper,” the executive said via Fowler.
Smith had a 75.1 run block win rate, which impressed one coordinator. Last season, Smith helped the Chiefs average four yards per rushing attempt.
“He’s got elite hands, and he is great at finishing his blocks,” the coordinator said via Fowler.
Former Chiefs Blocker Joe Thuney Ranked No. 6
Once a key part of the Chiefs offensive line, Joe Thuney will play for the Chicago Bears this year.
ESPN ranked him as the No. 6 offensive lineman in the league, and a couple of AFC executives believe the 32-year-old still has something left. Thuney spent last season at left tackle instead of guard.
“Complete package: Speed, athletic ability, hand placement, toughness, instincts,” one AFC executive said via Fowler. “I think power is a slight deficiency. Versatility isn’t.”
Another AFC executive noted that the Bears landed a veteran leader in Thuney, but the four-time Super Bowl champion isn’t in his prime anymore.
“All technique, instincts and smarts with Joe,” the executive said via Fowler. “Physical skills are on the decline.”
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