Chiefs land ideal Patrick Mahomes protector in latest mock draft

Q: Who is Francis Mauigoa and why is he important for the Chiefs?

Francis Mauigoa is a Miami offensive tackle projected to be selected by the Chiefs in the NFL Draft, aimed at enhancing protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Q: What positions do the Chiefs need to address in the NFL Draft?

The Chiefs need to fortify their roster by focusing on cornerback, edge rusher, and wide receiver positions in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Q: What are the Chiefs' draft picks in the upcoming NFL Draft?

The Kansas City Chiefs hold two first-round picks, specifically at No. 9 and No. 29, allowing them to make significant roster improvements.

Chiefs land ideal Patrick Mahomes protector in latest mock draft

TL;DR

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to make strategic moves in the NFL Draft with two first-round picks, focusing on key positions. In a recent mock draft, they are projected to select Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Chiefs land ideal Patrick Mahomes protector in latest mock draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs will enter the NFL Draft armed with two first-round picks for general manager Brett Veach to revamp the roster with.

Holding No. 9 and No. 29, the Chiefs have picks at either end of the first-round, but it is what the franchise will do at No. 9 that is the big talking point.

Corner, edge, and receiver are three positions the Chiefs need to fortify, and the franchise could fill two of those needs in the first round.

But for NFL.com's Mike Band, in his latest mock draft, he goes in another direction, having the Chiefs selecting Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.

"Kansas City could take a defensive player here, but if Mauigoa reaches No. 9, this feels like the kind of premium-position value Brett Veach does not usually pass up," Band wrote. "With Patrick Mahomes coming off a major knee injury, Mauigoa gives Andy Reid a sturdy Day 1 right tackle option opposite Josh Simmons."

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Chiefs get Mahomes protection

With Jawaan Taylor being moved on this offseason, the Chiefs do have a need at right tackle, and Mauigoa fits the bill.

A plug-and-play starter for the Chiefs at right tackle, the hope is that he will bring a far better level of consistency from the position than Taylor did. And with far fewer penalties as well.

Mahomes was sacked 34 times in 14 games, just two shy of his career high, so that is a problem, one that Kansas City hopes, in this situation, Mauigoa fixes.

Yes, other positions like corner could be considered a big need, but protecting No. 15 is and should always be the priority.