Kansas City didn’t have much choice other than to pay San Francisco backup Jaylon Moore starting-tackle money in free agency. And after the Eagles sacked Patrick Mahomes six times without a blitz in Super Bowl LIV, 127.7 million people knew the Chiefs needed more than one player.
So, the Chiefs drafted Josh Simmons in the first round on Thursday night. Then, after the draft, they recruited three commitments from non-drafted free agents. Jawaan Taylor might have competition at right tackle, too.
The Chiefs are reportedly signing Washington State’s Esa Pole (pronounced ESS-suh POH-lay). The 6-5, 323-pound Pole was projected as a sixth-round choice by some, including draft expert Dane Brugler.
“Overall, Pole is still very much a work in progress and needs to bank valuable experience,” Brugler wrote in his annual draft preview, The Beast. “At the end of the day, though, nimble athletes with his size and strength are tough to find. He is worth a draft pick as a developmental option and practice squad candidate.”
Pole, who turns 24 this summer, didn’t play organized football until 2021. He’s been on a roller coaster since, starting the past two years for Washington State. He’s had forgettable games like his 2023 contest against UCLA’s Laiatu Latu – the Colts’ first-round selection a year ago – but he didn’t allow a single sack last season.
Like many NFL players, Pole has a foundation in basketball. Brugler said that when he protects Patrick Mahomes, he’ll look like a power forward playing defense on the hard court.
“That talent is evident in pass protection,” Brugler said, “an area in which he took a major jump between his junior and senior seasons. He shows the basic understanding of how to use his hands in all areas, but the muscle memory is still new as he figures out how to counter or recover from compromised situations.”
One situation in which the Chiefs don’t want to be compromised is attrition. So, don’t discount the opportunity for Pole to make the final roster as a non-drafted free agent. And to create even more competition with Jawaan Taylor returning from a knee issue, Kansas City also is reportedly signing Oklahoma State’s Dalton Cooper and extending a tryout invitation to Pitt’s Jason Collier, both undrafted offensive tackles.
"It's such a long season, and when injuries happen, they happen," Veach said on Thursday night after selecting Simmons. "We need depth across the offensive line. Like I mentioned, Jawaan is coming back from a knee injury, and Jaylon is going to get time at left tackle."
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