Chiefs should trade up for a LT in 2024 NFL draft, analyst says

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Andy Reid
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If the Chiefs want to repeat as Super Bowl champions, they'll have to make moves to shore up positions of need.

Left tackle is perhaps the biggest issue the Chiefs need to resolve this offseason with Donovan Smith still a free agent. This draft is chock-full of quality talent, too. But Kansas City picks at No. 32, meaning the top players at certain positions will almost assuredly be gone when the team is on the clock.

However, ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote Monday that the Chiefs should trade up and do everything in their power to grab the best available left tackle.

"Coach Andy Reid needs a long-term solution on the blind side, something Kansas City has lacked since it moved on from Eric Fisher three years ago. The rest of the offensive line is about to get more expensive with center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith eligible for extensions, so finding a low-cost option to protect Patrick Mahomes would make sense. ... The Chiefs probably won't want to move for someone who's more of a project like Amarius Mims unless they also plan on bringing back a veteran to play ahead of him in 2024; a smaller move to draft a tackle such as Morgan or Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) would make more sense."

This is the most sensible move for Kansas City at this draft position. A monster trade-up to grab one of the best tackles would cost more than the player is likely worth, especially in a deep class.

If the board falls right, KC could snag one of the mid-tier players in the second half of the first round for less draft capital. A team looking to accrue more draft capital for other positions, like the Cowboys or Dolphins, would be prime spots for it.

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Tyler Greenawalt is a contributing writer for The Sporting News after stops at Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports and Turner Sports.