Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs to target Orlando Brown Jr.’s replacement? 2023 NFL Draft simulator predicts Super Bowl winners to land standout OT
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were crowned Super Bowl champions after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. But once free agency hit, star offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. was lost to the Cincinnati Bengals and the team's ability to repeat has gotten harder.
Now with the NFL Draft fast approaching, the Chiefs have a need to fill along the offensive line. Keeping Patrick Mahomes upright is obviously key to the Chiefs' ability to go back-to-back, but who will the franchise target in the upcoming draft?
Oklahoma LT Anton Harrison is a GD BULLY!!! https://t.co/1p2FVsktEs
Well, according to Sportskeeda's draft simulator, the Chiefs, who currently have the 31st pick in the first round, will look to Oklahoma and offensive lineman Anton Harrison.
Regarded by some as a great offensive lineman, the 21-year-old does a superb job of playing within himself and not allowing his weaknesses to become a problem.
While his athleticism is considered average by NFL standards, he is far more comfortable stopping opponents in their tracks using his football smarts. He is likely going to need time to develop his craft at the NFL level and once he does, the Chiefs will have a good protector for Patrick Mahomes.
Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs looking to repeat as NFL champs
The Chiefs weren't overly aggressive in free agency, but did lose JuJu Smith-Schuster. Mahomes lost a weapon and also a key member of his offensive line.
Looking back at the history books, it is notoriously hard to win one Super Bowl, let alone go back-to-back. The New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005 were the last ones to do so.
With the Chiefs losing a couple of key starters, the NFL Draft is likely where the team will try to pluck a diamond in the rough. Running back Isiah Pacheco, who was taken in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, is an example of this.
The offensive line is clearly going to be crucial to the Chiefs returning to the NFL's showpiece event, and Harrison looks like the player Kansas City will go after (via a simulator anyway).