One of the Kansas City Chiefs' biggest needs entering the offseason was fixing the offensive line.
The Super Bowl debacle shined a light on what was perhaps the biggest deficiency for Andy Reid's team. With Joe Thuney, who did play left tackle last year after failed attempts by Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia, now in Chicago, moves had to be made.
Jaylon Moore was signed from the San Francisco 49ers to be Patrick Mahomes' blindside protector, but Thuney's departure left a hole at guard. Many have the Chiefs taking another offensive lineman in the first round of the draft, and that is feasible, but for Pro Football Network, it is in the second round that the franchise gets offensive line help.
And it is Georgia Bulldog Tate Ratledge who hears his name called by the AFC champs.
"Tate Ratledge is the son of a former NFL player, and that's reflected in his polished play," Pro Football Network writes. "He's a powerful guard prospect who lands his hands well at the point of attack and can absorb punishment in pass protection. After trading Thuney, Kingsley Suamataia is slated to start at left guard for the Chiefs in 2025. That said, it's worth bringing in some competition."
Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images
That would add some more youth to the offensive line, with Suamataia entering his second year and Morris entering his third. Plus, Tatledge could provide some good competition for Mike Caliendo, who, like Morris and Suamataia, failed to take his chance last season.
Seen as a rock-solid guard prospect, Ratledge was the most athletic guard at the combine, per NFL.com. He also loves getting dirty and doing the grunt work for his fellow teammates.
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As tough as they come, and he has the dogged mentality to match, Mahomes could be getting a pitball in his protection if Ratledge does fall to the Chiefs.
Yes, Moore was signed, and Suamataia and Morris still have a little upside, but Ratledge could come in and play a big role straight away. … and KC owes it to Mahomes to get this right.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM.