Chiefs' latest top 30 visit could be the steal they need to upgrade their offensive line depth post-Joe Thuney trade

The Kansas City Chiefs' offensive line pursuits in the 2025 NFL draft aren't just tied to the offensive tackle position. They've also shown some interest in adding to their offensive interior. As first reported by 247 Sports' Jackson Moore, the Chiefs scheduled a top 30 visit with Fresno State OL Mose Vavao. A multi-year starter for the Bulldogs, […]

Charles Goldman NFL Managing Editor
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Nov 5, 2022; Fresno, California, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs running back Elijah Gilliam (49) celebrates with offensive lineman Mose Vavao (51) after rushing for a touchdown against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the fourth quarter at Valley Children's Stadium.
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The Kansas City Chiefs' offensive line pursuits in the 2025 NFL draft aren't just tied to the offensive tackle position. They've also shown some interest in adding to their offensive interior. 

As first reported by 247 Sports' Jackson Moore, the Chiefs scheduled a top 30 visit with Fresno State OL Mose Vavao. A multi-year starter for the Bulldogs, Vavao has earned starts at each of the three interior offensive line positions during his career at Fresno State.

In 2024, he switched to the center position after playing left and right guard in the previous two seasons. His peers also voted him team captain in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Vavao was remarkably consistent and efficient in 2024, allowing a single sack and just six total pressures with over 400 pass-blocking snaps. His pass-blocking grade ranked 17th among draft-eligible centers with at least 600 total snaps.

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While Vavao was not invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, his numbers in the broad jump (111 inches), three-cone (7.55s), and bench press (26) at the Fresno State Pro Day would have cleared or tied top-10 marks among offensive linemen.

What is a top 30 visit?

The "top 30 visits" descriptor is a bit misleading. It does not indicate where a player will be drafted but rather one of the 30 allotted pre-draft visits with draft prospects. Teams bring prospects to team facilities to meet with staff, tour facilities, etc.

The Chiefs often bring in players expected to be undrafted free agents to impress upon them that Kansas City is the place to be. Other times, they bring in players with an injury history to further examine them. Occasionally, they exhaust a top 30 visit on a player expected to be drafted, even some within the top 100 picks. They do that to get a better idea of the player and person.

Drafted players who have had a top 30 visit in Kansas City in recent years include Kingsley Suamataia, Rashee Rice, BJ Thompson, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nick Bolton, and Juan Thornhill. 

How does Fresno State OL Mose Vavao fit with the Chiefs?

As the Chiefs have become far too aware of in recent years, you can never have too much offensive line depth in the NFL. 

While Vavao is slightly undersized at just under 6-foot-3 and 317 pounds, he boasts elite athleticism that shows up in the run and passing games. He's proven remarkably durable during college, starting 54 consecutive games with the Bulldogs. He's also technically sound, with just five penalties in over 3,300 offensive snaps across five seasons.

While he's probably slated for a reserve role initially, Vavao appears to be the type who has the experience and expertise to stick around in the NFL. Year 1 could be a season where he cuts his teeth on the practice squad, but he could eventually parlay that into a depth role or even a starting job. Maybe he impresses and plays his way into a more substantial role sooner.

A to Z Sports' expected draft range for Vavao is undrafted. However, with three picks in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft, including two in the last 10 picks, the Chiefs could always prioritize a player like Vavao on Day 3.