Protecting Patrick Mahomes is a top priority for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, last season, the Chiefs allowed the 11th most sacks in the NFL (47). Mahomes, who tore his ACL in Week 15, took a bulk of those hits, getting sacked 34 times.
Despite that, Kansas City did not select a single offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they may not have needed to use a draft pick to find a valuable contributor.
The Chiefs held their mandatory minicamp from June 9 to 11. According to ESPN's Nate Taylor, rookie undrafted free agent right tackle Kahlil Benson has been one of the team's standouts.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn
"While quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to recover from his knee injury, the surprising player who has emerged the most is Benson, an undrafted rookie from Indiana who will be competing in training camp against veteran Jaylon Moore for the starting role," Taylor wrote. "Benson shared repetitions with Moore during the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp. With Benson's rise up the depth chart, the Chiefs were comfortable earlier this month with trading Wanya Morris to the Atlanta Falcons."
This past season, he was a key piece to the Indiana Hoosiers' national championship run. According to the program's website, he appeared in all 16 games and made 12 starts at right tackle. Before the draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper listed him as the No. 35 offensive tackle available.
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Standing at 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, the pass protector has more than enough size to handle pass rushers. He has also caught the attention of head coach Andy Reid, who said Benson will compete to be the starting right tackle, according to The Athletic's Jesse Newell.
The Chiefs will hold their first training camp practice on July 29. With over a month until putting on the pads, Benson has the opportunity to continue building momentum and strengthen his case as a starter.
