Miami Dolphins Pro Bowlers' retirement decision could throw a wrench into the Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 NFL draft plans
The Kansas City Chiefs have new competition to acquire an offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL draft. In what was an expected move, Dolphins LT Terron Armstead announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the NFL. In anticipation of Armstead's eventual retirement, the Dolphins selected Houston OT Patrick Paul with pick No. 55 in the 2024 NFL draft. As […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have new competition to acquire an offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL draft.
In what was an expected move, Dolphins LT Terron Armstead announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the NFL. In anticipation of Armstead's eventual retirement, the Dolphins selected Houston OT Patrick Paul with pick No. 55 in the 2024 NFL draft.
As a rookie in 2024, Paul started two games at left tackle, in Week 4 against the Titans and Week 15 against the Houston Texans. He also played practically all of the snaps at left tackle in Week 14 against the New York Jets. In 229 pass-blocking snaps, Paul allowed six pressures, including three sacks per PFF. He also allowed five penalties.
The big question: Are the Dolphins sold on Paul as their future left tackle, or will they protect themselves with a new addition?
The Chiefs find themselves in a strikingly similar situation. They've got an unproven left tackle option in Jaylon Moore, and they're showing interest in several players in this offensive tackle class.
How Terron Armstead's retirement could impact the Chiefs in the draft
Even with Paul in the fold, the Chiefs will want to keep tabs on Miami after Armstead's retirement. The Dolphins currently hold pick No. 13 in the 2025 NFL draft, which puts them in a good spot to potentially secure one of the top left tackle prospects in this class. Guys like Texas LT Kelvin Banks Jr. and Mizzou LT Arman Membou will be within striking distance. They're a much better team with both players, in addition to Paul and projected starting RT Austin Jackson.
Kansas City is unlikely to move ahead of Miami in the first round, given what it would take to move up that far. It'd take a more significant haul than what it cost for the Chiefs to move up for Patrick Mahomes. This is more of a "keep your fingers crossed" situation for Brett Veach. If Miami takes a left tackle at pick No. 13, it could push up a few offensive tackle prospects that could have been available at the bottom of Round 1.
If the Dolphins and the Chiefs don't target offensive tackle on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft, the worry shifts to what Miami might do with their second-round draft pick. They pick at No. 48 overall, and Kansas City doesn't come on the clock until pick No. 63 at the end of the second round. If the Chiefs are targeting a specific left tackle, they might have to move ahead of Miami in Round 2 to secure that prospect.
This could become a problem even on Day 3, when many of the offensive tackle prospects the Chiefs have met with are expected to be drafted. The bottom line is that Kansas City must now be extra aware of this AFC East foe and their potential draft needs.
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