Nate Taylor: Chiefs targeting OT Ronnie Stanley in free agency

[wazu]

New story. Joe Thuney did everything the Chiefs asked of him — & more.

What’s next for the Chiefs?

They plan to sign Trey Smith to an extension & acquire a new left tackle, targeting Ronnie Stanley.https://t.co/1cKzfqMDbu

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) March 5, 2025

When free agency begins, the Chiefs will target Ronnie Stanley, the nine-year veteran who is the best left tackle available on the market, according to sources. Stanley, who will turn 31 this month, started all 17 season games last season for the Baltimore Ravens. He earned a 70.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and allowed just three sacks.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

It would piss me off beyond words if we skipped on some of the DL that are going to be there to draft a raw-ass LT who Mahomes still won't trust and who won't make a ****ing bit of difference if he won't throw the goddamn football on time.

If we sign Stanley to a 2 year deal - 2 years from now the same people will say 'well Pat trusts him so we have to bring him back...' and we'll stick Conerly or whoever over at RT then use the 'freed' money to justify extending Stanley.

Nobody has the patience for a young LT and Mahomes won't get rid of the damn ball on time anyway.

So go draft one of the DL.

No, if they sign Stanley it's to open them up to drafting DL in the 1st IMO.

I think we're looking at 3 options:

1. Stanley - allows you to go full BPA but obviously very risky.

2. Robinson - allows you to go BPA, but doesn't keep you from drafting a LT you love.

3. Humphries/Wills/Smith - you have to take a LT with your 1st, or at least that's probably their plan.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by RunKC

48 of 84 possible games since 2020. 57% availability.

I think we can all agree that if Veach overpays for this guy to the tune of $28 million APY it would be a massive mistake

If he doesn't stay relatively healthy? Absolutely.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath15

Now, this is fair too.

My preference would be to come out of the first two rounds with a DT and a DE.

I'll put it this way - let's make two assumptions.

1)Kingsley or Morris step in at LG and give you average NFL starter play there.
2)We sign Cam Robinson and he's roughly the guy he's been over nearly a decade in the league.

If Robinson-Kingsley-Creed-Smith-Taylor isn't a good enough OL for your QB to produce, the problem is your QB.

That's all I care about at this point. Making the line good enough. Worse quarterbacks than Mahomes have performed with lines that aren't that good. Mahomes won a SB with a line that wasn't that good.

We cannot continue to act like it's imperative that we build a super-line for our $50 million quarterback. That line, with Robinson, should absolutely be a steady enough OL for Mahomes to be the force multiplier his talent and his contract says he should be.

Beyond that nets diminishing marginal returns - QUICKLY.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by staylor26

No, if they sign Stanley it's to open them up to drafting DL in the 1st IMO.

I think we're looking at 3 options:

1. Stanley - allows you to go full BPA but obviously very risky.

2. Robinson - allows you to go BPA, but doesn't keep you from drafting a LT you love.

3. Humphries/Wills/Smith - you have to take a LT with your 1st, or at least that's probably their plan.

Why does Stanley change your approach to drafting an LT in any way?

Robinson is MORE likely to be the starting LT in Kansas City 3 years from now than Stanley is, IMO.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Why does Stanley change your approach to drafting an LT in any way?

Robinson is MORE likely to be the starting LT in Kansas City 3 years from now than Stanley is, IMO.

On this, we agree.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I'll put it this way - let's make two assumptions.

1)Kingsley or Morris step in at LG and give you average NFL starter play there.
2)We sign Cam Robinson and he's roughly the guy he's been over nearly a decade in the league.

If Robinson-Kingsley-Creed-Smith-Taylor isn't a good enough OL for your QB to produce, the problem is your QB.

That's all I care about at this point. Making the line good enough. Worse quarterbacks than Mahomes have performed with lines that aren't that good. Mahomes won a SB with a line that wasn't that good.

There isn’t a lockdown guy out there. Maybe they meet in the middle and go with Jaylon.

One thing I’m pretty sure of, no one here is gonna be happy.

We cannot continue to act like it's imperative that we build a super-line for our $50 million quarterback. That line, with Robinson, should absolutely be a steady enough OL for Mahomes to be the force multiplier his talent and his contract says he should be.

Beyond that nets diminishing marginal returns - QUICKLY.

I get it, and don’t disagree with your premise.

I just wonder if Veach thinks he can get “good enough” from DJ at a super low dollar amount versus Cam at what could be 5x (or more) that.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Why does Stanley change your approach to drafting an LT in any way?

Robinson is MORE likely to be the starting LT in Kansas City 3 years from now than Stanley is, IMO.

I'm assuming they're giving Stanley at least a 3 year deal, so I'm guessing they wouldn't draft a T until round 3 at the earliest.

I don't think the approach changes all that much, just speaking more to the difference in talent, and the confidence I think the team would have.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath15

I get it, and don’t disagree with your premise.

I just wonder if Veach thinks he can get “good enough” from DJ at a super low dollar amount versus Cam at what could be 5x (or more) that.

I wouldn't hate the DJ/Jaylon Moore approach either. One is absolutely starting caliber when healthy but may not be healthy (ever again). The other MIGHT be starting caliber over a full season but seems almost certain to stay healthy or at least hasn't given any indication he won't. And has shown signs of being starter quality in small doses.

Seems a proper ying/yang there.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

It would piss me off beyond words if we skipped on some of the DL that are going to be there to draft a raw-ass LT who Mahomes still won't trust and who won't make a ****ing bit of difference if he won't throw the goddamn football on time.

If we sign Stanley to a 2 year deal - 2 years from now the same people will say 'well Pat trusts him so we have to bring him back...' and we'll stick Conerly or whoever over at RT then use the 'freed' money to justify extending Stanley.

Nobody has the patience for a young LT and Mahomes won't get rid of the damn ball on time anyway.

So go draft one of the DL.

If we address LT and Mahomes is still having the issues he's had the past couple of seasons then maybe it'll be time to have an entirely different discussion.

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Guys been in the league for 8 years and been roughly the exact same guy for all of 'em.

He is what he is. And has always been in an offense not terribly dissimilar to ours in Jacksonville.

I just don't see any reason to believe he'll be anything worse than an average but definitely overpaid LT.

If Robinson was average, I'd be screaming to sign the guy. The issue is that he's going to be overpaid and be the well-below-average he's always been.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I wouldn't hate the DJ/Jaylon Moore approach either. One is absolutely starting caliber when healthy but may not be healthy (ever again). The other MIGHT be starting caliber over a full season but seems almost certain to stay healthy or at least hasn't given any indication he won't. And has shown signs of being starter quality in small doses.

Seems a proper ying/yang there.

That’s why I’m leaning this way.

If every option has some uncertainty, then don’t break the bank for uncertainty.

Robinson IMO is the option with the fewest question marks. I understand making that move.

Moore is the option that has the greatest potential to be a great value. I understand making that move.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I wouldn't hate the DJ/Jaylon Moore approach either. One is absolutely starting caliber when healthy but may not be healthy (ever again). The other MIGHT be starting caliber over a full season but seems almost certain to stay healthy or at least hasn't given any indication he won't. And has shown signs of being starter quality in small doses.

Seems a proper ying/yang there.

Really is my first choice at this point, especially if it means we can retain another one or more of our own FA’s.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

That’s why I’m leaning this way.

If every option has some uncertainty, then don’t break the bank for uncertainty.

Robinson IMO is the option with the fewest question marks. I understand making that move.

Moore is the option that has the greatest potential to be a great value. I understand making that move.

This is a GREAT point.

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Why does Stanley change your approach to drafting an LT in any way?

Robinson is MORE likely to be the starting LT in Kansas City 3 years from now than Stanley is, IMO.

If you think Stanley is more than a 1-year option (30 years old) and you can get a better LT next year based on all factors, then it makes sense. Plus this year's draft may have non-LT options that won't be there next year.

I completely trust in Veach. Won't complain regardless of how it plays out.

[T-post Tom]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

If every option has some uncertainty, then don’t break the bank for uncertainty.

I'm happy to defer to Veach to discern the level of uncertainty for each option.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath15

I just wonder if Veach thinks he can get “good enough” from DJ at a super low dollar amount versus Cam at what could be 5x (or more) that.

Someone better explain why DJ Humphries was completely unplayable in the postseason if the plan is that he’s “good enough” to be relied on as the starting LT next season.