The Kansas City Chiefs are exhausting all resources on as many 2026 NFL Draft prospects as possible.
They are well aware that they must hit on several of their early selections if they’re going to return to elite form this upcoming season.
There has been plenty of debate about which positions the Chiefs should address with their premium picks, but the most important thing is adding players who will perform at a high level.
Kansas City Chiefs Have Spent Extensive Time With Georgia OT Monroe Freeling During Pre-Draft Process
According to a report from NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Chiefs are one of multiple teams who have shown significant interest in Freeling over the past few months.
Freeling is a unit at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds. He is also highly athletic, as he is the only prospect of his size in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine to record a vertical jump higher than 30 inches, a broad jump farther than nine feet, and a 40-yard dash under five seconds.
Because of that, Freeling should match up well with the most athletic pass rushers in the league. He would also excel in the screen game, which carries a lot of value in coach Andy Reid’s offensive system. Freeling’s footwork still needs some fine-tuning, mostly due to the fact he was only the full-time starter for one season at Georgia.
All of his 16 career starts came at the left tackle spot. Unless there is something going on with Josh Simmons that we don’t know about, Freeling would play at right tackle for the Chiefs. He shouldn’t have much trouble making the switch, and his experience playing on the left side would be valuable in a pinch. If Kansas City drafts him at No. 9, or even at 29, you can likely pencil Freeling in as its starting right tackle of the future.
Chiefs Could Put Together Best Offensive Line in NFL if They Spend Early Draft Pick on OT
GettyChiefs LT Josh Simmons
Kansas City’s offensive line took a big step forward in 2025 after struggling for much of 2024. Center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith are already established among the best at their respective positions, and Kingsley Suamataia showed a lot of promise at left guard last season.
Josh Simmons, who the Chiefs drafted in the first round (No. 31 overall) in last year’s draft, was also impressive at left tackle. Unfortunately, he missed four games due to a private family matter, and an additional five games because of a fractured wrist. However, in the eight games he was on the field for, he looked like a franchise left tackle. ESPN Chiefs insider Nate Taylor reported that Reid said this about Simmons and Suamataia just a few weeks ago:
“He’s good to go. He’s doing everything & moving around [well]. We’ve got high hopes for [him & Kingsley]. Josh has just got to keep growing as a player, as a pro. Talent wise, he’s tremendous.”
Assuming Simmons and Suamataia weren’t one-year wonders, Kansas City has four very good offensive linemen to roll with in 2026 and beyond. Their current options for the starting right tackle job are veteran Jaylon Moore and second-year man Esa Pole, both of whom got some starts under their belts last season. If the Chiefs spend an early draft pick on a right tackle, they could have another starting offensive lineman with Pro Bowl upside.
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