Chiefs Sign Former Bucs LT Donovan Smith

[Dante84]

Donovan Smith started 124 games over the past eight seasons with the #Bucs. After signing Jawaan Taylor to a big deal in March, Kansas City continues to invest in protecting Patrick Mahomes. https://t.co/CK4z151PD8

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 3, 2023

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Smith does need to be a one-year rental I think, for cap reasons. But I think he's going to be a very good one-year rental. Assuming he reverts to 2021 form, we can't afford to sign him long term. Next year, Taylor will have to move over and Morris takes over at RT. If Morris is a bust, then we will draft someone or find someone cheap like Wylie was to play RT.

For this year though, the payoff is pretty big. Again, assuming we get the 2021 version, we may have the best line in the NFL.

Veach explicitly said, more than once, that they're looking for a LONG-term answer at LT. That's not Donovan Smith.

He's going to come in here, compete, and provide insurance. If he actually wins a starting job, it's gravy. But that's not their "plan" at all.

[L.A. Chieffan]

Good ol off season OL threads...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by L.A. Chieffan

Good ol off season OL threads...

[kcbubb]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

We haven't had Remmers since 2021.

Wanya Morris played most of his college career at LT.

Taylor at LT is cool, but you've got Niang who can't stay healthy so far, and Winnebago, and that's it at RT. Smith is a really nice contingency plan.

Morris has some technique issues, but is superior athletically. As in definite starter material as a physical prospect.

I disagree completely with your entire argument. Respectfully.

My mistake on Remmers. What I’m saying here is that the chiefs didn’t plan on addressing LT after the draft with PM at QB. They planned on Taylor winning the LT job with Niang competing against a draft pick for the RT spot. You don’t plan on addressing one of the most important positions of LT after the draft. Now after the draft, you have an opportunity to sign smith cheap and if Niang or Wanya can’t win the job, you have options to slide Taylor over. Or if smith comes back looking like an all pro, just put Taylor at RT. The point is this signing gives the chiefs options and it will be about competition.

[The Franchise]

And for all of the people who will claim that Veach talked about Taylor as LT just as a smokescreen so he could trade up for a LT.

Why wouldn't he just sign Donovan Smith before the draft? It does the same thing and eliminates anyone thinking that you're going to draft an OT in the first round. If you go into the draft with Donovan Smith as your LT and Jawaan Taylor as your RT, then no one expects you to trade up for one.

You'll never convince me that Taylor isn't their Plan A at LT and Donovan Smith is their Plan B if Taylor doesn't transition well.

[Coochie liquor]

Wasn’t sure where to post this. But added another OL prospect from our over seas program.

Chiefs Add Offensive Line Help Through International Player Pathway Program

Kansas City lands an intriguing offensive line talent through one of the NFL's overseas initiatives.

Jordan FooteMay 4, 2023 9:44 AM EDT
An offseason ago, the Kansas City Chiefs added defensive lineman Kehinde Oginni Hassan via the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program. While Oginni Hassan didn't last too long in Kansas City, the reach of the IPP began to spread more than it had in the past. The 2023 IPP class also sees the Chiefs land some more help in the trenches, this time on the other side of the ball.

On Thursday morning, the NFL announced this year's international class via a Twitter thread. In that thread, the African country Nigeria has representative Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick coming to Kansas City:


Godrick, whose nickname is "Chu" according to American Football International, is one of six players from Nigeria who were selected to participate in the NFL's IPP combine. AFI notes that Godrick was a primary basketball athlete who is attempting to transition over to football, and its article also has an excerpt in which a pair of brothers detail how they believe Godrick's natural athleticism in basketball will help him become "a top tier athlete" overall.

Here's a bit more directly from the NFL on what the IPP is all about:

Established in 2017, the NFL International Player Pathway program aims to provide elite athletes from around the world with the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster and increase the number of international players in the League.

Godrick, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 295 pounds according to AFI's article, is expected to soon join his new teammates in Kansas City and begin competing throughout the rest of the offseason. He's one of eight IPP players in this year's class to earn that chance in the NFL — one player for every team in the AFC West and NFC North.

If Godrick doesn't make the 53-man roster to begin the season, the Chiefs can still keep him around on the practice squad if they have that desire. The NFL grants clubs with IPP players a special practice squad exemption that would allow for an additional spot on the final practice squad total. That is a far more likely outcome for Godrick than a straight-up roster spot assuming he remains with the Chiefs organization, which would still give both sides more time to develop his profile in an effort to form another productive IPP experience while also not forcing him into in-game action.

Read More: After Option Decision, Clyde Edwards-Helaire Enters Career-Defining Stretch

[crispystl]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I think many of us said that the Chiefs put themselves in a bit of a bind by not attacking the OT position in the draft last season in any meaningful way. We knew they were going to be looking at some tough choices on the OL because they'd be largely flying blind with a bunch of rookies or new players at OT this season.

That won't necessarily be the case next season. Both Taylor and Morris will have more experience in the system. That's two more guys with meaningful experience here than we had this year.

I mean we were looking at Niang and Prince - that's it. Both Taylor and Morris could very easily be part of a long-term plan at the position and Smith is simply insurance and/or part of a short term plan that really hadn't been fully resolved.

I just don't get the angst here at all. Especially when we STILL don't know the terms of the deal.

At the very least it gives them options. It seems like people interpret some of these moves as the Chiefs brass pivoting and changing their direction because things didn't play out according to their plan, but I see it as them having enough foresight to provide themselves with contingencies.

Look guys...he NFL is a tough business and things aren't always going to go your way no matter how good your front office is, so intelligent GMs (Like BV) leave themselves with plenty of options.

[Wisconsin_Chief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Veach explicitly said, more than once, that they're looking for a LONG-term answer at LT. That's not Donovan Smith.

He's going to come in here, compete, and provide insurance. If he actually wins a starting job, it's gravy. But that's not their "plan" at all.

They could still view Taylor as the long term plan at LT, but that doesn't mean he can't play RT his first year. They are going to put the two best tackles on the field this year, and there's a very likely chance that's going to be Smith and Taylor. If Smith is healthy he's unquestionably the second best tackle on the roster as of now, and they're certainly not going to flip him and Taylor to the opposite sides they've been playing their whole careers just so they can have Taylor at LT. That would make little sense. You push off that plan to next year if need be after Taylor has a year in the system.

One way or another, we are going to have far better tackle play this year because you will either have Smith and Taylor out there, or Taylor will thrive at LT and Niang/Morris will ball out and end up as one of our 2 best tackles. This gives you many different options without having to force anything. It's a win-win move all around and we finally have depth at the position, which is so reassuring.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

And for all of the people who will claim that Veach talked about Taylor as LT just as a smokescreen so he could trade up for a LT.

Why wouldn't he just sign Donovan Smith before the draft? It does the same thing and eliminates anyone thinking that you're going to draft an OT in the first round. If you go into the draft with Donovan Smith as your LT and Jawaan Taylor as your RT, then no one expects you to trade up for one.

You'll never convince me that Taylor isn't their Plan A at LT and Donovan Smith is their Plan B if Taylor doesn't transition well.

Exactly. Think about it logically instead of emotionally and it becomes pretty clear.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief

They could still view Taylor as the long term plan at LT, but that doesn't mean he can't play RT his first year. They are going to put the two best tackles on the field this year, and there's a very likely chance that's going to be Smith and Taylor. If Smith is healthy he's unquestionably the second best tackle on the roster as of now, and they're certainly not going to flip him and Taylor to the opposite sides they've been playing their whole careers just so they can have Taylor at LT. That would make little sense. You push off that plan to next year if need be after Taylor has a year in the system.

One way or another, we are going to have far better tackle play this year because you will either have Smith and Taylor out there, or Taylor will thrive at LT and Niang/Morris will ball out and end up as one of our 2 best tackles. This gives you many different options without having to force anything. It's a win-win move all around and we finally have depth at the position, which is so reassuring.

Dude, they aren't going to have their long term plan at LT play RT for a year because they could sign Donovan Smith on an incentivized deal.

And don't tell me Eric Fisher because that was a rookie. They signed Taylor, talked about his ability to make the switch and now suddenly before OTAs even get here....they're saying **** it for a year?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief

They could still view Taylor as the long term plan at LT, but that doesn't mean he can't play RT his first year. They are going to put the two best tackles on the field this year, and there's a very likely chance that's going to be Smith and Taylor. If Smith is healthy he's unquestionably the second best tackle on the roster as of now, and they're certainly not going to flip him and Taylor to the opposite sides they've been playing their whole careers just so they can have Taylor at LT. That would make little sense. You push off that plan to next year if need be after Taylor has a year in the system.

One way or another, we are going to have far better tackle play this year because you will either have Smith and Taylor out there, or Taylor will thrive at LT and Niang/Morris will ball out and end up as one of our 2 best tackles. This gives you many different options without having to force anything. It's a win-win move all around and we finally have depth at the position, which is so reassuring.

If they view Taylor as their LT, he's going to play LT. They're not going to put him at RT for a year and then move him when Smith is gone.

Smith came here to provide depth and insurance, knowing that if he excels, he may get a chance to start.

Like you said, this gives them several options. But that's all it is right now - options.

[RunKC]

I think it would be pretty naive to think Donovan Smith isn’t the leader in the clubhouse at this point for the LT position. Obviously there’s a competition but I think ultimately it’s gonna be Smith/Taylor, and that says nothing about Taylor or his ability to play LT.

I still come back to RT and how much of a disaster it is. If Niang or Wanogho were viable options, they wouldn’t have enough in a vet starting LT, paid big money for a vet RT and also traded up for a 5 star recruit with the physical/athletic profile that fits this offense.

I don’t see Niang/Wanogho being anywhere ahead of the depth chart for those 3. I think they’re battling for that 4th and final spot.

IMO the only path to Taylor starting at LT with Smith on the bench is if Morris shows he is ready to start at RT like Creed and Trey showed in their rookie years.

At the moment that could happen, but I think the more likely avenue here is Smith/Taylor with Morris as the swing tackle preparing for a starting role in 2024.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Pest is right on.

While duncan's idea isn't bad, there's just no chance we have landed a quality left tackle in May for roughly $4m.

There's always a chance, man.

Smith was in roughly the same tier as Orlando Brown for a 2-3 year stretch in the middle of his career (that started at the same time as many OT begin playing their best football), culminating in a 2021 season in which his play was at its peak and probably would have actually been a better fit for KC due to his superior movement skills.

His 2022 was a nightmare, sure. But if that was injury and stuff off the field dragging him down, the 2021 version could pop right back up.

I'm not pinning hopes on it or anything... I don't think it's incredibly likely. But that stands out to me as the way the line is better in 2023 than 2022. LT returns to the level of play the Chiefs had there in 21, RT is drastically improved.

Maybe they can get to that with Taylor at LT, too, if he takes to the different side easily and quickly. It doesn't seem hard to upgrade at RT from Wylie if you throw enough bodies at it.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I think it would be pretty naive to think Donovan Smith isn’t the leader in the clubhouse at this point for the LT position. Obviously there’s a competition but I think ultimately it’s gonna be Smith/Taylor, and that says nothing about Taylor or his ability to play LT.

I still come back to RT and how much of a disaster it is. If Niang or Wanogho were viable options, they wouldn’t have enough in a vet starting LT, paid big money for a vet RT and also traded up for a 5 star recruit with the physical/athletic profile that fits this offense.

I don’t see Niang/Wanogho being anywhere ahead of the depth chart for those 3. I think they’re battling for that 4th and final spot.

IMO the only path to Taylor starting at LT with Smith on the bench is if Morris shows he is ready to start at RT like Creed and Trey showed in their rookie years.

At the moment that could happen, but I think the more likely avenue here is Smith/Taylor with Morris as the swing tackle preparing for a starting role in 2024.

You've got it wrong. It's pretty naive to pencil in a guy who signed an incentive deal after FA and the draft to be your LT....just because he's played LT before.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I think it would be pretty naive to think Donovan Smith isn’t the leader in the clubhouse at this point for the LT position. Obviously there’s a competition but I think ultimately it’s gonna be Smith/Taylor, and that says nothing about Taylor or his ability to play LT.

I still come back to RT and how much of a disaster it is. If Niang or Wanogho were viable options, they wouldn’t have enough in a vet starting LT, paid big money for a vet RT and also traded up for a 5 star recruit with the physical/athletic profile that fits this offense.

I don’t see Niang/Wanogho being anywhere ahead of the depth chart for those 3. I think they’re battling for that 4th and final spot.

IMO the only path to Taylor starting at LT with Smith on the bench is if Morris shows he is ready to start at RT like Creed and Trey showed in their rookie years.

At the moment that could happen, but I think the more likely avenue here is Smith/Taylor with Morris as the swing tackle preparing for a starting role in 2024.

If they think Taylor is a LT, they're going to play him at LT.

They signed Smith for roughly $4M. The $9M will never be met. He's a backup with a chance to compete.

If you think the "plan" right now is to pencil in Smith as a starter, you're just plain wrong.