Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
 

This is officially my guy at OT. I don't want to take one at 31 unless Simmons falls and they feel good about the knee, and even then, I'd probably prefer the value at DL.

But when we get to the end of round 2, or the Titans pick, this just feels like a perfect match of need and upside.

Grant is still relatively new to football, more or less the the position, but he has that athleticism that Andy and the FO covet at T. He also has a wrestling background which I absolutely love (look at Creed).

You like him because I drafted him and you understand my genius

Scary, huh?

Took him this morning in my first mock of the season. Started to research him this afternoon. I’d definitely be in on him as a project tons to like.

If we get him it will be spooky hours. That kid is pretty damn athletic with a good base perfect fit for Pats drifting style.

I need to do a little digging on NIL and why he didn't bounce to another school. Seems like an easy 1M+ prospect in the portal

No, I meant it was scary that he understands your genius.

That's fair but I've had some pretty good success in these drafts. Sure I had some misses like Randy Gregory in the top 10 and that was more because he was a weed head who refused to stop smoking was an amazing talent

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: William &amp; Mary <a href="https://twitter.com/WMTribeFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WMTribeFootball</a> All-American offensive tackle Charles Grant visited <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texans</a> Thursday-Friday, has visits <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ravens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ravens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eagles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcons?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Falcons</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raiders</a>, and private workouts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Saints?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Saints</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KPRC2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KPRC2</a> <a href="https://t.co/Na5dhf76Or">https://t.co/Na5dhf76Or</a></p>&mdash; Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1906047820664127973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Damn hope they don't want him in the second lol. I think the end of the second is the sweet spot probably. Mocks have him much later. But watching him on film I don't see how someone doesn't take a swing. Especially a T desperate team like the Texans.

But people also need to be ready for a year or two of development. Including the coaching staff. We might still be viewing Kingsley as the LTOF if he wasn't thrown in so early.

There's a lot to like here, and if it doesn't fall the Chiefs way to take a T (whether you like Conerly or Simmons) in the 1st, this is a really intriguing fit.

Much more realistic to hope a guy like Grant can outperform his draft spot and become a really good LT than some other guys available in his range in recent years (late to the sport, raw, small school, etc.)

Starting to think that the Chiefs will take the best DL in rd 1, a developmental tackle like Grant or Ersery at 63, a WR and a 2nd DL in rd 3 and a RB in rd 4

I think round one’s a complete wild card. Whatever is best player within reason. And I think the rest falls that way. I think DL is the best option in RD1 but it wouldn’t surprise me to see something we don’t expect

I don’t know. Watch his feet? Conerly’s feet are more like a typewriter. That’s what tice said and you can see it. Grants feet are more like someone that pecks at the typewriter with 2 fingers. They don’t seem to move as quick. What am I missing? Simmons is much more fluid and athletic and I get it if you cross him off for injury. Just a note to compare.

https://youtu.be/LAPf9kE1VS4?si=_Xn2EG8QuSjLPRBi

Well your first ****ing problem is that you're comparing a day 2 pick to two round 1 guys, one of which would be a top 15 pick if not for injury.

But yes, Conerly has better feet than Grant. I'll let you figure out which guy deals with strength better though.

Hey, I’m looking for hope on the oline with prospects. I’m just not sure this guy has a high ceiling. I’d probably leave Kingsley as the backup tackle and try and draft a guard, rather than pursue Grant, IMHO. Kingsley just looks like he has more potential. No offense.

https://youtu.be/cvkOAJcTSV4?si=aHPIEmPZqgCCZttt

Aren't you the ****ing reerun in the Lounge saying that the Chiefs need to be more like the Bengals?

Ha. That’s one way to distort that comment. I just think we need to protect Mahomes better.

I don't like how high Grant seems to have risen. I'd be 100% on board with him around 95. You start talking 63 or 66, I'm all the way out. That's way too early for him IMHO. He is further away than Suamataia was if you want my opinion on it. I like him quite a bit; he's intriguing and probably worth developing, but the price has to match the goods.

Is there a G that would be better than Kingsley at LG in the 2nd? It seems like the chiefs are moving him to G and I wonder why unless they don’t think Kingsley can pick up LT? Or unless they don’t think they could draft a better prospect for G?

Sure. Wyatt Milum (West Virgnia LT) is about Thuney-like as they come. Marcus Mbow (Purdue RT), Tate Ratledge (Georgia RG), and Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona RT) could be fits. I don't think Donovan Jackson (Ohio State LG/LT) is going to be an option, we'd have to take him in the 1st.

I'd probably argue most for Milum, he's plug-and-play, and then if Ratledge can play LG I'd probably go that route next.

If you’re the GM, do you like the developmental LTs in the draft from our 2nd pick and later better than Kingsley? If not, would you consider drafting a G and leaving Kingsley at LT to develop? Said in another way, how would you approach finding a starting LG and finding a developmental LT?

They're all a year behind Kingsley, I think, is the point.

Im not sure? It looks like that from the tape that I saw. But why not draft a G and leave Kingsley at LT? I wasn’t an olineman but it would seem difficult to me get ready to start at G while also working on LT. Maybe there’s something in Kingsley that the chiefs see that prevents him being a success at LT? They bumped him to LG in week 18. That had to be a tryout? The chiefs could have been getting Kingsley ready for a stretch run in the playoffs at LT. That has to say something about what the chiefs think of Kingsley as a LT? Or am I missing it?

No, I don't like any of the developmental LTs more than Kingsley and yes, I'd absolutely consider drafting a guard and keeping him on that development track. I just don't know if the Chiefs agree.

That’s the way I see it too, which makes me think they are looking for an upgrade…. Conerly or Simmons…

I think people are putting way too much into them playing Kingsley at G. It seems to me that was a good way to get him some NFL snaps and confidence without putting him on an island and continuing to destroy his confidence. He's still got all of the traits, he was just too raw in technique in year one.

I don't think anyone we could reach is going to be further along than he would be in year two.

Now, maybe they just think he's never going to put it together; we don't know. We aren't in the meeting rooms and watching every practice. But he was always a project, and you don't give up on a project after three games.

I actually struggle with Kingsley as a tackle. His back pedal is atrocious. He can not kick step and at this point I don’t think he ever will. Playing at guard he doesn’t have to do this as much. Which is why I think he thrives more.

I think Ersary and Connerly are better prospects. I also think Benton has a better chance at tackle.

I wouldnt want him until 95 or later. I must be running the wrong mock drafts as of late, as I always see him available in that range? I have noticed there are quite a few teams that have talked to him or at least expressed interest. It will be interesting to see where he goes.

I could not disagree more with everything you say here.

Agree with the disagree. Kingsley looks like a more natural mover than anyone on the roster. Well last years roster. He just struggled getting everything firing together to me. Too much thinking. He played decent against Baltimore, watch the reps it wasn’t bad. Then they play cinci. A technician against a raw kid playing with just athleticism and none of the technicals. He got obliterated.

I don’t know that he does go back but there’s a path for him to tackle. He’d never seen nfl speed, didn’t have nfl strength and was learning the offense. Oh and got thrust into the hardest line position to play.

They did Kingsley dirty by wishcasting him into a rookie starter.

An alternative idea is that a franchise guard is worth $20M or more per year and maybe the chiefs believe that Kingsley can be a top 5 guard in the league with continued development this year. The horizon on Kingsley being a top 5 guard in the league is probably much quicker than tackle. Maybe the chiefs just believe that Kingsley will be a great guard quickly and aren’t willing to wait for his development as a tackle. We often compare guards to RBs in terms of value but that’s just not true. Top RBs are worth around $13M and top guards are worth $20M. Guard is becoming a more valuable position.

I bet the Chiefs are happy knowing that Caliendo is the floor for left guard. I personally hope he gets zero snaps, but I assume the Chiefs consider him serviceable if Kingsley does not pan out.

Good for you. Welcome to America

Moving forwards or laterally, Yes! Moving backwards, NO!!

Yeah, sorry. I don't think you are accurate in your acessment. What is the reason we should take your opinion seriously?

You don’t have too. It’s ok if you don’t. And I definitely don’t have to put my resume out there to have an opinion on a public message board.

Glad you walked that back, Meck. I do think that’s an interesting observation that Kingsley is the best athlete in our oline room. Which made me wonder, “How does our oline rank in the league?” I have no idea if this is close to accurate or if this site is any good at all but the comments were interesting.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/b...-nfl-rankings/


12) Kansas City Chiefs

Regular-Season Grade: 85.9 (B)

The Chiefs finished the season ranked fifth, which is interesting given that their performance on the field looked ugly at times in the second half of the year. The key to this ranking was a strong first half because the Chiefs ranked 30th over the final four weeks and did not grade above a C after scoring an A- against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.

The issue was at left tackle because the other four positions up front have been excellent. The recent numbers emphasize just how important the blindside tackle is because, despite quality numbers for the other four players on the line, the overall mark is a concern. We also saw this issue derail their offense in the Super Bowl.

Kansas City’s line was anchored by one of the two premier trios in the NFL right now. Joe Thuney led the interior pass blockers in win rate, Creed Humphrey was sixth, and Trey Smith was inside the top 20 at times this year but fell out in the last few weeks. Thuney was so good that the Chiefs even moved him to LT to try and solve the issue out there late in the season.

In run blocking, Smith was inside the top 10 interior OL in terms of RBWR. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor had also been doing his part, ranking 17th in PBWR. Overall, the Chiefs ranked seventh in RBYBC/rush (1.01) and RBWR. That’s a great indication of just how good the interior — and the right side of the line, especially — were this year.

The overall pass-blocking numbers were largely pretty middling, except for ranking eighth in PBWR. KC’s numbers against the blitz are also good, ranking inside the top 10 for blitz (5.4%; seventh) and pressure rate (37.3%; ninth). However, they are helped by having the fourth-quickest time to throw (2.4 seconds).

There was mixed news for the Chiefs’ offensive line in the lead-up to free agency. Smith’s return via the franchise tag was positive, but the team traded Thuney to Chicago, severely weakening this team in terms of both his skills and his experience. That has dropped them a handful of spots in these rankings heading into free agency.

At the start of free agency, the Chiefs made an intriguing move by adding Jaylon Moore, who was with the San Francisco 49ers last season. Moore has never been a full-time starter and is, therefore, a huge risk. Left tackle remains a complete unknown for this team in 2025.

Our RBs must suck for our oline to be ranked that high in run block yards before contact. Or is that a false stat?

Can't say I agree with the lack of kick step and movement skills either. I think his hand placement, timing, and so on don't match up and create issues. Last year, there was a video assessment out there on him where whoever it was said he thinks this kid should spend a year or two at OG before eventually going to tackle because of those issues. He's too raw in that regard. It might turn out to be a pretty fair assessment.

Conerly and Suamatia are near exact matches physically and athletically, but you just see a lot better hand usage from Conerly, and it creates a pretty large disparity in overall talent.

I said it a few times but I’m no expert. He gets the the spot then it’s all awkward. He’s got decent punch but it’s not a smooth movement after he gets in his stance. Not sure if his brains over focused on his feet or if he’s just waiting to counter the move that’s coming. But it’s not smooth.

I think I agree with kccrow's take above, it's the hand usage. To me, it looks like his hands and feet just don't coordinate and he gets his weight too far forwards and reaches and over balances. I don't think his balance and ability to recover look all that special.

Athletically he could be as gifted as Conerly, and he's probably stronger, but Conerly looks a more ready prospect to me because he doesn't suffer from any of the above.

Perhaps as Crow says he could move inside temporarily before moving back out. I realise that whatever happens he needs time, but I still would much prefer him at guard.

I agree the hand usage leaves a lot to be desired and needs a ton of work. He does not match it up with his feet. But even in college and the combine he showed struggles when moving backwards. It’s why he opens his shoulders so much. He is a great athlete moving forward and laterally. And at guard he could be really good at the jump set. He has a strong punch as evident by his 31 reps on the bench. But he just gets real awkward when moving backwards

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">William &amp; Mary OT Charles Grant is visiting the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> today, source says, and he has the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ravens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ravens</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eagles</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> coming up. He also had an early visit with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texans</a> last week.</p>&mdash; Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1909249310367113330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

TE and Tackle are the biggest wildcards this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take one on day 2

This guy seems to be the biggest riser over the last two weeks. A cowboys fan I work with said he's being talked about in their cowboys draft Convo. IDK if he's a redditor or what.