The Kansas City Chiefs made an effort to provide depth at several positions this offseason. The majority of players drafted in April were on the defensive side of the ball, with a few exceptions.
Darian Kinnard, a fifth-round draft pick out of the University of Kentucky, was one of those exceptions. He boasts impressive size and quickness, but he played the right tackle position for the majority of his career. In the NFL with the Chiefs, Kinnard is preparing to play multiple positions along the offensive line.
Versatility is always needed, and according to Kinnard, he’s no exception.
“I’ve just got to be prepared to play any position,” said Kinnard. “I got reps there at right (tackle). But who knows, he could come to me tomorrow since we don’t have a left tackle right now. . . So I’m just out here working whatever position he wants me to walk in and get ready.”
The current situation with Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has opened up opportunities for Kinnard to potentially fill in at left tackle. With only rookies and select veterans in attendance during the early portions of training camp, Kinnard has taken repetitions at both tackle and guard spots.
“I mean, right now, I’m playing whatever position I need to play at,” said Kinnard. “Coach (Andy) Heck, put in my head, you know, get reps at either. I’m not going to be very valuable if I only play one position. If I’m only specified at one position, he wants to have the confidence to come up to me at the end of the day and say, ‘Play guard.’ I’ll play guard. But just learning, one day at a time.”
Kinnard is a prospect that could see plenty of time on the field in relief or as a starter should he perform well in training camp. If Brown Jr. holds out, it could open an opportunity for Kinnard as he continues to grow and learn.
