2021 NFL Draft: Jets, Panthers fill QB need in three-round mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 31st overall
Alabama. Alex Leatherwood. 124. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OL. 31. player
Patrick Mahomes was running for his life in the Super Bowl and that was a major reason why the Kansas City Chiefs took a loss in that game. It is difficult to put too much blame on the Chiefs or specifically, their offensive line, because they were dealing with so many injuries heading into Super Bowl Sunday. That being said, if this does not prove how important offensive line depth is, I do not know what will.
Improved health and opt-out returns will obviously help the Chiefs’ offensive line situation early in the season, but investing in depth up front is an absolute must for this team this offseason. With this in mind, the Chiefs bring in Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood in the first round of this mock draft.
I have Leatherwood tabbed specifically as an offensive lineman due to the fact that he played both guard and tackle in college. More importantly, he played both positions well. However, I personally look at Leatherwood as more of an interior offensive lineman at the next level.
While he is certainly a tough and powerful offensive lineman who typically dominates his opponents in small spaces, Leatherwood lacks ideal mobility for an NFL offensive tackle. This lack of mobility and natural athleticism could easily get him in trouble against speed edge rushers at the next level and moving him inside would help protect him against those players. Plus, moving him inside would play to his strengths as a prospect extremely well.
That being said, his perceived versatility could certainly come in handy for a team like Kansas City who has depth needs at both tackle and guard. In this scenario, the Chiefs could work on Leatherwood as an offensive guard, grooming him for a starting role. However, if they desperately need a tackle again, as they did in the Super Bowl, Leatherwood at least has a lot of experience at the position against high-level SEC competition.
Investing in the long-term health of Patrick Mahomes is extremely important. Leatherwood is far from a perfect prospect, but he is a decent value in this range and could quickly become an important piece when it comes to protecting Mahomes.