Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith are finally getting the recognition they deserve from NFL decision makers, even if media rankings continue to sell the Chiefs’ offensive line short. ESPN recently polled anonymous executives, coaches, and scouts for its annual top-10 interior offensive linemen rankings, and both Humphrey and Smith landed in the top 10, earning glowing reviews from personnel evaluators across the league.

The recognition arrives at an important time for Kansas City. Recent rankings from media creators and analysts, including Warren Sharp’s ranking of the Chiefs’ offensive line as the 23rd-best unit heading into the 2026 NFL season, drew significant pushback from fans who understand just how good this interior group is. Rankings like Sharp’s fail to account for the high floor this offensive line already possesses, anchored by two of the best interior linemen in football.

Creed Humphrey remains among the NFL’s elite centers

Humphrey ranked No. 1 among interior offensive linemen in ESPN’s poll a year ago. This time around, his highest individual ranking was No. 1, while his lowest was No. 10. He landed at No. 3 overall in a slight dip from last season. ESPN noted that Humphrey led all centers in pass-block win rate at 98.5%, though he did not rank in the top 10 among interior linemen in run-blocking by that same metric. Over five NFL seasons, Humphrey has earned four Pro Bowl selections and back-to-back first-team All-Pro honors.

“He’s got an unorthodox style of play, but once he gets ahold of you, it’s really hard to shake,” an NFL personnel executive said of Humphrey. “He’s been really consistent and consistently the best center in the league. He runs the show well and is ultra physical and athletic.”

What stood out from the anonymous evaluators wasn’t just the statistical profile. Personnel executives praised Humphrey’s unorthodox yet consistent style of play, combined with his physicality and athleticism. However, not every evaluator was entirely complimentary. An NFL coach noted that Humphrey is not a player they game-plan for specifically, unlike Smith, who draws more schematic attention from opposing defensive staffs.

Trey Smith’s physical identity earns respect despite a down year

Smith landed at No. 7 in the rankings, earning at least one first-place vote, though his lowest individual ranking was unranked. That represents a drop from No. 4 a year ago, which tracks with a difficult 2025 season for the entire Chiefs roster. Still, Smith held up well in pass protection, allowing zero sacks over 389 pass-blocking attempts. He has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections and remains a foundational piece of the Kansas City offensive line despite some injury troubles last season.

“He’s a really good foundational piece,” an NFC executive said of Smith. “Raw power, sets a tone. There just aren’t many like him.”

The evaluator described Smith as a tone-setting player with raw power, a throwback type who doesn’t quite exist in today’s NFL. That physical identity is what makes him special and what draws game-plan attention from opposing coordinators. One anonymous NFL defensive coach did push back, saying Smith is a player they felt they could knock back into the pocket during the 2025 season. The detractors exist, but the overall sentiment among decision-makers points to Smith being one of the most respected guards in football.

Why media rankings undervalue this Chiefs offensive line

The positive comments from anonymous executives say far more about what this offensive line can be in 2026 than any media ranking that slots them in the bottom third of the league. Four of the five starting positions already have clear and defined starters, and the players filling those roles have played together for at least a full season. That kind of continuity is something most NFL offensive lines simply cannot claim.

Having foundational pieces like Humphrey and Smith under contract gives Kansas City a high floor, regardless of the questions that remain at offensive tackle. Josh Simmons missed time midseason in 2025 and was injured at the end of the year. The right tackle spot features a three-way competition between Jaylon Moore, Kahlil Benson, and Esa Pole. Those are legitimate concerns, but they shouldn’t overshadow the strength of the interior.

This is a group that should be recognized for its talent rather than defined by its question marks. The people who evaluate players for a living clearly agree, and it’s only a matter of time before media members and analysts catch up.