An Undrafted Rookie Is Lining Up To Protect Patrick Mahomes, And The AFC Better Pay Attention

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because what's brewing in Kansas City is absolutely wild. We're talking about an undrafted rookie, Kahlil Benson, who is already in the mix to start at right tackle for the Chiefs. Seriously, an UNDRAFTED guy could be protecting Patrick Mahomes' blind side when he finally gets back on the field after that torn ACL. If that doesn't make you do a double-take, you're not paying attention to the league! This is the kind of unexpected twist that can make or break a season, and it's happening right now, before the pads are even on for real.

From Undrafted to First-String Reps? What?!

Benson's journey to this point is already the stuff of legends. After spending five seasons at Indiana and one at Colorado, this dude went completely undrafted. And now? According to ESPN's Nate Taylor, he's quickly emerged as a serious candidate to start. He's not just a camp body, either. Benson is out there splitting reps with the first-string offense at minicamp, going head-to-head with Jaylon Moore, who actually started six games for the Chiefs last season and played in fifteen. The Chiefs even traded Wanya Morris to the Falcons, a move prompted at least partly because Benson was looking this ready to contribute as a rookie. You don't make a move like that unless you've got serious faith in the new guy s

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A Bumpy Road, A National Title, And Now The NFL

Benson's college career was a rollercoaster, to say the least. He started at Indiana in 2020, but a torn ACL kept him out for both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Talk about adversity! He finally became a starter at right guard in 2022, then moved to right tackle in 2023. In 2024, he transferred to Colorado, playing right tackle, right guard, and even left guard. Then, in 2025, he transferred *back* to Indiana, became their starting right tackle, and get this, helped the Hoosiers win the national championship! This is a guy who wasn't even viewed as a future NFL player by scouts, and now he's about to turn 24 in August and is competing to protect one of the league's most valuable assets. His story is pure grit. So, what's next for Benson and the Chiefs? Training camp is going to be intense, with Benson and Moore battling it out for that starting right tackle spot. The stakes couldn't be higher: protecting Patrick Mahomes, especially as he returns from a torn ACL, is crucial for the Chiefs' entire offensive scheme and their hopes in the AFC. Every snap in practice will matter, and frankly, watching an undrafted kid with a national title on his resume fight for a starting spot right out of the gate is exactly what we Seattle sports fans love to see. Get ready to watch this unfold, because this could be one of the most surprising stories of the early NFL season.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.