Outlast Pool

Chiefs May Start Undrafted Rookie at Left Tackle in Week 1

Sep 13, 2026

Chiefs facing a blindside protection problem

Kansas City looks likely to lean on an undrafted rookie at left tackle for Week 1, tasking the newcomer with protecting Patrick Mahomes' blindside as the quarterback returns from a torn ACL. That's a lot to ask of an unproven lineman in an opener — protecting a franchise QB coming off major knee surgery, on the side he can't see.

What it means for your survivor pick

Before you lock in the Chiefs, weigh the risk stacking up here: a rebuilt Mahomes coming off an ACL tear, standing behind an undrafted rookie at the most important spot on the line. Even elite offenses can sputter when protection breaks down, and a survivor pick lives or dies on a single result. Kansas City may still be favored on talent, but this is a wait-and-see week rather than a lock — if you have a comparable option elsewhere, there's little reason to burn the Chiefs into this uncertainty. If you're still building your bracket of picks for the season, keep the survivor pool FAQ handy and browse more survivor analysis before you commit.

Sources:

Keep reading

Oct 8, 2026

Buccaneers Turn to Rookie Jalon Daniels: Week 5 Survivor Read
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is starting for the Buccaneers with Baker Mayfield injured. Here's the Week 5 survivor-pick read on Tampa Bay and its opponents.

Oct 8, 2026

Eagles Survivor Pick: DeVonta Smith Out, PHI Underdogs at JAX
DeVonta Smith sat out practice with a hamstring injury as the Eagles head to Jacksonville as 7-point Week 5 underdogs. Here's the survivor-pick read on Philadelphia.

Oct 8, 2026

Breece Hall Out Again: Jets Week 5 Survivor-Pick Read
Breece Hall stayed off the practice field Wednesday with a quad injury, leaving the Jets as narrow Week 5 favorites over Cleveland. Here's the survivor-pick read.