KC Chiefs add to O-line with consensus All-America pick (with a chip on his shoulder)
Trey Smith has become a hero for offensive linemen who have fallen in the draft, like Darian Kinnard.
Kinnard, the Chiefs’ fifth round selection in the NFL Draft, believed he should have been picked earlier. That was the sentiment of Smith, who was taken in the sixth round last year. He started all 17 games was a member of the Pro Football Writers of America all-rookie team.
“I feel like I’m in another Trey Smith situation,” Kinnard said. “All the feedback I got was second round, at best squeeze into the bottom of the first, and lowest would be third round. I’ve got a lot of stuff to prove and I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder.”
If it’s any consolation, the Chiefs traded up for Kinnard. The Chiefs selected Kinnard No 145 overall. They took the Seattle Seahawks’ spot in the fifth round (No. 158) and gave up one of their four seventh-round selections (No. 233) in exchange.
Kinnard, 6-foot-5, 322 pounds, played left tackle as a freshman for the Wildcats and lined up at right tackle for his final three years, starting all 37 games.
As a senior, he was named consensus All-America and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top blocker in the SEC.
Drafting Kinnard could be a depth move for the Chiefs, who are set on the interior of their offensive line. Injured right tackle Lucas Niang isn’t expected to return until training camp.
KInnard was projected as a guard by some teams, but he’ll likely begin his career as a right tackle.
The Chiefs selected Kinnard after consummating a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
This story was originally published April 30, 2022 at 1:27 PM.