According to Pro Football Focus, the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs offensive line ranked No. 22 among all 32 teams in the National Football League.
They finished a dismal 30th in pass-blocking and a mediocre 14th and 18th in run-blocking and penalties, respectively. What's the explanation for this?
Right tackle Jah Reid may have been the biggest to blame for the struggle when quarterback Alex Smith dropped back to pass. Bleacher Report ranked Reid No. 32 out of 35 right tackles at the conclusion of the 2015 season. They had this to say about the lineman from Central Florida:
"Where Reid does impress is in his ability to post up and take away inside moves after he counters an outside move. Still, in 760 snaps last season (playoffs included), Reid allowed 23 hurries and five sacks and consistently struggled against outside pass rushers (3-4 outside linebackers or wide defensive ends) who forced him to work off his spot."
The AFC West has no shortage of defensive lineman and linebacker cores that can make any offensive line fearful. The Chiefs really struggled on the offensive line, failing to provide any substantial consistency for Smith to work from.
So what did general manager John Dorsey decide to do? Well, he went out and signed one of the league's perennial right tackles in Mitchell Schwartz.
Schwartz, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, signed with the Chiefs on March 3 and is guaranteed $15 million over five years. The 37th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Shwartz has not missed a single snap in his career and has started all 64 games while in the NFL.
The signing of Schwartz shored up one of the biggest question marks for Kansas City heading into this year and provides stability on the offensive line, particularly in pass-blocking. Schwartz acknowledged after his signing that his skill set will be a pleasant addition to the depth chart this season. "Yeah, well, I guess I didn't know the extent of (their struggles)," he said. "I mean, obviously they were looking for an upgrade or I wouldn't be here."
Chiefs second-year center Mitch Morse is a key building block for the Chiefs, also. Coming off a rookie season in which he started 15 games, Morse will likely carry the load at the center position in 2016.
A three-year starter at the left tackle position, Eric Fisher will have to take his play to the next level for the Chiefs to make a major improvement on the line. Fisher has the talent and capability to do it. The tackle positions are vital to the success of Alex Smith, who struggles to handle pressure.
Great offensive line play is imperative in the NFL now, as a great offense is needed to make a run at the Super Bowl. And since Kansas City hasn't won a championship since 1969, premier play will be expected all around to get this team to the promise land once again.
