The NFL Draft is almost here, and all 32 teams are locking in draft boards and going through every possible scenario that could arise from Thursday evening into the weekend.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in one of the best positions of any team in the draft to fill roster holes with three selections inside the top 40.
Offensive tackle is not an overwhelming need for the Chiefs, but the organization should still look for ways to bolster the right side of the line after releasing three-year starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor this offseason. This year’s class of offensive tackles is mediocre at best, but toward the back end of the first round and early into Day 2, there are a few players who should present good value for Kansas City.
In the draft, one path could be selecting Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, whom the team has hosted for a pre-draft visit, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The behemoth tackle drew national headlines during his final season in Tuscaloosa for the creative ways that the Crimson Tide offense got him involved, but he will have a chance to be a first-round pick based on his immense potential.
Background
Proctor played in 40 games during his career at Alabama and was named a consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2025.
After a strong senior season, Proctor made a good impression at the NFL Scouting Combine, showing he had more than just a massive frame.
With a massive frame of 6 feet 6 1/2 inches tall and 352 pounds, Proctor is a physical specimen, and unlike other larger offensive line prospects, he displayed exceptional testing numbers given his size.
With a vertical jump of 32 1/2 inches and a broad jump of 9 feet 1 inch, he showcased phenomenal explosion for a player his size, and his 5.22-second 40-yard dash with a 10-yard split of 1.84 seconds showed that he is mobile enough to play tackle in the NFL.
There were multiple reports out of Alabama last season that Proctor had started the season out of shape, but as the season progressed, he showed what kind of player he is capable of being in the NFL.
A look at the film
Proctor’s biggest asset is his size, and when he plays fundamentally sound football, there are very few players who can overpower him, and even fewer who can match his strength.
Playing against a twist action, Proctor patiently waits for the defensive tackle to loop outside. When the defensive tackle sticks his arms out to create penetration, Proctor throws his heavy hands down, and it brings the defensive tackle to the ground.
The play looks nonchalant from Proctor, but the amount of force generated to ground the pass rusher is impressive.
Proctor struggled with his feet and the timing of his hands during portions of his college career, often relying too much on his physical gifts.
During his final season at Alabama, Proctor showed the improvement in fundamental play he had not shown in his early seasons with the Crimson Tide.
Proctor takes good initial footwork out of his stance and lands hands-first on the edge rusher. The edge rusher tries to break contact, but Proctor maintains good posture and calmly resets his hands while keeping his feet moving.
As the edge rusher attempts to fight, Proctor engulfs him and quickly shuts down any attempt at a pass rush. As the quarterback attempts to scramble, Proctor gets big with his outside arm and tosses the edge rusher, knocking him to the ground.
When Proctor is at his best, he moves people with ease. While any high-level tackle in the NFL will be gauged on their ability to pass block, Proctor has tremendous potential in the run game, especially on the play side on double-team strategies.
His ability to climb to the second level needs work, but with his massive physique, he can generate massive initial movement off the ball, instantly opening up run lanes in the NFL.
With even just a fraction of his full strength, Proctor was able to clear the entire B-gap with one hip.
His game needs refinement, but he would be a good developmental pick for a team like the Chiefs.
The bottom line
Proctor is far from a polished NFL product, but he would be a tremendous developmental selection for a team like the Chiefs at either pick 29 or pick 40.
This year’s offensive tackle class is weaker than those of years past, and Kansas City has more pressing needs with the ninth-overall selection — and pick No. 29.
It will be interesting to see how other teams view Proctor, and, likely, this will be the crucial factor in where he is drafted. But if he slips to 40, the Chiefs would be wise to take him.
He would have the luxury of sitting as a rookie behind Jaylon Moore, while building confidence in his technique and ability to learn the offense.
At the NFL level, many have suggested that he slide inside and play the interior offensive line, and while this may be a viable option, if a team were to take advantage of his natural gifts and give him a chance to develop as a right tackle, he could become a stalwart for years to come.
The Chiefs have many needs during this draft cycle, but gambling on one of the most physically intimidating players to come out of college football in a long time could be a risk worth taking.
