When Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns from a torn ACL, an undrafted rookie may be protecting him.
Chiefs right tackle Kahlil Benson, who went undrafted after spending five seasons at Indiana and one at Colorado, has quickly emerged as a candidate to start, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN.
Benson will be competing in training camp against Jaylon Moore, who played 15 games for the Chiefs with six starts last season. Benson and Moore were splitting reps with the first-string offense at minicamp, and the decision to trade Wanya Morris to the Falcons was prompted at least in part by Benson looking ready to contribute as a rookie.
Benson, who will turn 24 in August, began his college football career in 2020 at Indiana. He tore his ACL and didn’t play at all in either 2020 or 2021, but he became a starter at right guard in 2022, then started at right tackle in 2023. In 2024 he transferred to Colorado and spent time at right tackle, right guard and left guard. In 2025 he transferred back to Indiana, became their starting right tackle, and helped the Hoosiers win the national championship.
In college, Benson wasn’t viewed as a future NFL player, and that’s why he wasn’t drafted, and also wasn’t among the 319 players invited to the Scouting Combine. But he’s quickly changing perceptions in Kansas City this offseason.
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