Chiefs likely to bring in competition for Wanya Morris through NFL Draft

Andy Reid said that the second-year tackle needs to improve this offseason.

It’s no secret that finding a starting left tackle remains one of the biggest checklist items for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason, heading into next week’s NFL Draft in Detroit.

The Chiefs currently have second-year player Wanya Morris at left tackle. The team also has former starting right tackle Lucas Niang and former International Pathway Program player Chukwuebuka Godrick as backup options.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, head coach Andy Reid said the four games in which Morris saw action in 2023 were a good introduction to the NFL, but he still has a lot of work to do.

“Coming in and having that experience of playing in four games, he has even a better feel for this offseason and what’s going to be expected of him when he gets back and is put in that spot,” said Reid.

The rookie saw mixed results when called upon in 2023.

According to Pro Football Focus, Morris allowed quarterback 24 pressures on just 235 passing snaps played. Reid said that Morris needs to take the next step in year two.

“There’s got to be an improvement. There’s got to be an urgency there, which I know he feels.”

Morris is currently back in Kansas City, working on his craft. Prior to this, Reid said he was in Dallas working out with other linemen.

“He was able to get in that mix and work with those guys. So it looks like he’s in pretty good shape right now. And I think he understands what it takes to be an every-down guy at that spot.”

If Morris wants the starting job, he will have to take it.

“There’ll be competition,” added Reid. “He’s got to make sure that he takes care of business here.”

Ideally, the Chiefs would like to add competition for Morris at the top of the draft. Reid acknowledged on Monday that the team is looking to add wide receiver and offensive tackle depth in the draft but added that when you’re picking at number 32, you never know what the draft board will look like.

“It’s a great thing on one hand to be 32nd,” said Reid, “because you’ve done OK the season before. But that’s a long wait. And you better really stay true to the board — what’s there — and take the best player you possibly can at that spot.

“We’ve got spots in depth that we could use really everywhere… But you know, we should have when it’s all said and done, we should have players in there ready to go.”

What do you think? If you were the Chiefs, which position would you take with pick 32?