Wanya Morris film review and... what is the plan, exactly, at tackle?

Examining how the Chiefs' 3rd round rookie's film looks, and exploring what Reid, Veach and company might be thinking with the tackle spot moving forward.

Remember way back in history, when the draft took place?

Those were the days, am I right? All those weeks (almost two of them now) ago? When I was lounging the gorgeous beaches of Florida’s gulf coast rather than doing work? When we were all excitedly talking about Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s unique skillset and Rashee Rice’s potential niche in the Chiefs’ offense? Any of that ring a bell?

If not, it may be because the (not even) two weeks that have passed since then have somehow felt like an eternity. We’ve entered into the “slow” point of the offseason, where what passes for news is the NFL announcing that it will make an announcement about the dates of a schedule that was revealed quite some time ago.

Oh, and the Chiefs signed Donovan Smith for a one-year deal with a base of about $4 million and a ceiling of $9 million. They then proceeded to tell anyone who will listen that he’ll be their starting LT in 2023.

Why do I bring all this up to start off a film review about Wanya Morris? Well, because the Chiefs drafted Morris, a tackle who has played both the right (more recently) and the left (in 2019 and 2020) tackle position for Tennessee and Oklahoma over the last few years, in the 3rd round all those weeks ago. And many assumed that he was going to be competing for the RT position that is now occupied (apparently) by free agent acquisition Jawaan Taylor, a terrific pass protector whom we all thought was being moved to the left side of the line.

Now? Well, we’re not as sure. I reviewed Smith’s film a few days back, and I find myself back and forth on the prospect of him starting at LT on day one.

But one thing I know for certain? That Morris is in the Chiefs’ long-term plans in some way, shape, or form.

And so, let’s talk about Morris’s film from both Oklahoma and Tennessee. I looked at film from games in multiple seasons for the long-armed tackle (his arms measured at 35 1/8” at the combine, slightly longer than the now-departed Orlando Brown’s) to determine where he wins, where he needs improvement, and where he fits into the Chiefs’ plans. I broke down his traits into upper body power, lower body power, handfighting, lateral agility/feet/balance, awareness, athleticism in space, and overall takeaways.

Let’s talk some Morris film, and then discuss what the plan is for the tackle position in Kansas City in 2023 and beyond.