ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller has released his way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft 1.0, and his pick for the Kansas City Chiefs would spell disaster for the personnel department at 1 Arrowhead Drive.
One of the biggest problem positions for the Chiefs during the Patrick Mahomes era has been the left tackle position. They’ve been seeking a long-term solution at the position since Eric Fisher was cut following the 2020 NFL season. They traded for Orlando Brown Jr., who ultimately negotiated his way out of Kansas City. They signed Donovan Smith last season, who remains a free agent. He was the team’s starter for the majority of last season, with Wanya Morris taking a few starts from him along the way.
A long-term solution has been the goal at left tackle for the Chiefs. It is arguably the most important non-quarterback position on offense in the NFL. They’ve just not been able to find the solution they’ve been looking for. This pick from Miller would suggest that they’ll go another season without finding it.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller’s pick: NC State OT Anthony Belton
At pick No. 31 in the first round (ESPN’s Football Power Index determined the draft order), Miller has Kansas City taking Belton. Here’s what he had to say about the pick:
Despite how well the Chiefs have put together and managed their roster, there’s a lack of answers at offensive tackle. The Kingsley Suamataia pick in the second round likely solves one tackle spot, potentially replacing right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who struggled last season. Belton, a two-year starter at left tackle, allowed one sack last year and wows with his easy movement at 6-5 and 345 pounds. If the Chiefs like Suamataia on the right side (where most scouts pegged him pre-draft), then Belton could fit well at left tackle to give Patrick Mahomes more time in the pocket.
That might be the biggest issue with this situation, it’d mean Kansas City still has no left tackle of the future on the roster. That’d be a bad look for Brett Veach and the coaching staff after drafting some guys in the top 100 picks two years running. Now, there could be a situation where Belton is the best player available, but I’m not sure that’s what happened here.
Another issue with the analysis from Miller. He thinks Suamataia is a potential replacement for RT Jawaan Taylor. He says Taylor “struggled” last season, but I think most would agree that he was unfairly targeted by NFL officials early in the season. When he wasn’t being erroneously charged with false start or illegal formation penalties, he was still dominant as a pass protector.
The idea that Suamataia would replace Taylor is highly unlikely outside of an injury-related situation until we get to the 2026 NFL season. The Chiefs are tied to Taylor’s contract through 2025 unless they want nearly $30 million in dead money and no salary cap relief. They can move on during the 2026 NFL offseason with just $4.6 million in dead money and $20 million in salary cap relief. He’s also paid too much to get benched unless he’s a major liability, which we already know he isn’t.
If things play out the way Miller indicates in his mock draft, it’d be a DEFCON 1 situation on the offensive line for Kansas City. Combine it with the fact that you’ve got a pair of interior offensive linemen vying for major contracts next offseason (see below) and you’ve got real problems on your hands.
