With roster cuts set for Sunday afternoon, it appears that Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach doesn’t like the backup crew on his offensive line. For the second time this week, he’s made additions to the next five, and his latest move brings signals just that.
Before the 2026 NFL Draft, Ole Miss Left Tackle Diego Pounds was my sleeper pick for the Kansas City Chiefs. I felt strongly he could solve the right tackle spot in Kansas City for the next decade. He’s big, physical, strong, and a gifted Tackle who somehow escaped the NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens were quick to sign him after the NFL Draft, but a numbers crunch likely would prevent him from making their final 53-man roster later today. So instead, he was traded to the Chiefs for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2028.
It appears Pounds, who stands 6’6″ and weighs in at 330 pounds, will be the primary backup to Josh Simmons, who I believe will be ready to go for the season opener. Earlier this week, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach traded for New York Giants guard Josh Ezedu to back up Kingsley Suamataia and Trey Smith, who started the final preseason game.
This means Mike Caliendo is likely a roster cut. As for Pounds, he brings the style of tackle the Chiefs like, and that signals an end for players such as Chukwuebuka Godrick and Ethan Driskell.
Many fans felt that the Chiefs added Pounds to replace Josh Simmons, but the Chiefs view this as a depth piece and an upgrade. It appears that undrafted rookie Khalil Benson will start the season opener at right tackle, and the Chiefs prefer to keep Jaylon Moore as the swing tackle. Then again, he’s also a candidate to be traded.
Either way, until Josh Simmins returns to practice, we won’t know for sure if the move to add Pounds was because of concern that the back issues last year’s top pick has are serious or just needed some rest before the grind of the 2026 NFL season.
Stay tuned to Chiefs Blitz for all the roster cuts.
