The Kansas City Chiefs’ roster has received high praise from NFL personnel, with their offensive line standing out as the best in the league according to a recent survey. This crucial aspect of the team has played a significant role in their success, especially in their pursuit of a third Super Bowl victory.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs’ offensive line was ranked seventh in pass-blocking and 16th in run-blocking during the 2023 season. The interior of the line, consisting of left guard Joe Thuney, center Creed Humphrey, and right guard Trey Smith, is particularly strong and has been highlighted as the team’s standout feature.
Humphrey and Smith, both drafted by the Chiefs in 2021, have quickly become key players on the team. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler even went as far as to label the Chiefs’ interior offensive line as the best in the league.
In a survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts, the Chiefs’ trio of interior linemen were all ranked in the top 10, with Smith coming in at ninth place. Thuney was fourth on the list, while Humphrey was seventh and the highest-ranked center.
Despite Thuney dropping from second place in the previous year’s rankings, an anonymous NFC executive pointed out that younger and more explosive players may have influenced the change. Thuney, at 31 years old, was surpassed by younger guards such as Chris Lindstrom and Quentin Nelson, with the top spot going to 33-year-old Zack Martin.
Thuney, a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, stands out as the only non-first-round selection among the top-ranked interior linemen. His consistency and skill have solidified his place among the league’s best, showcasing the Chiefs’ dominance in the crucial offensive line position.