The Associated Press panel just dropped their interior offensive lineman rankings, and you know who snagged the No. 2 spot? None other than Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey. This isn’t just some random vote; it absolutely cements his status as one of the league’s top big men up front. Sure, Joe Thuney of the Bears got the nod for the No. 1 spot, but let’s be real, Humphrey’s career trajectory is nothing short of incredible, and he’s only getting better.
This Dude Just Doesn’t Stop Dominating
We’re not talking about a one-hit wonder here. This is a guy who has stacked up two consecutive first-team All-Pro seasons. Think about that for a second! And get this, he hasn’t missed a single game in his entire five-year career since being picked in the second round way back in 2022. That’s consistency you can build a dynasty on. He’s been a Pro Bowler for four straight seasons and an All-Pro for the last two, basically operating as the absolute anchor of that Chiefs offensive line. When you look at the PFF numbers from last season, they’re just wild: Humphrey allowed a mind-bogglingly low eight pressures, just one single sack, and only two QB hits. How does anyone even do that kind of work in the trenches? It’s borderline unbelievable. His elite play also deserves a ton of credit for how seamlessly left guard Kingsley Suamataia has been able to step in and replace Thuney. That kind of smooth transition speaks volumes about the entire unit’s cohesion and Humphrey’s leadership in the middle.
Mahomes Needs Protection, And They’re Obsessed With It
You know what they say: a quarterback is only as good as his offensive line. A retired NFL QB recently hammered that point home when he said, “It’s hard to get the job done when we’re scrambling or on our backs. If you give Pat (Patrick Mahomes) any time, with a run game and some play action. In every clip I’ve seen of the Chiefs so far, he’s been under center, handing off, and I’m like, yes. I’m telling you, you give him time and protection like that, he’s unbelievable.” That’s the whole dang story right there for why Humphrey’s performance is so critical! While the established O-line is doing their thing, the Chiefs are also seeing some seriously impressive flashes from rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen, a fifth-round steal from the 2026 NFL Draft. This kid took advantage of OTAs and minicamp to totally impress. He led Cincinnati with 51 receptions, 674 receiving yards, and his 13 receiving TDs didn’t just set a single-season program record, they also placed him third in the entire FBS. With some “question marks” lingering at slot receiver, Allen could absolutely play himself into significant reps this season, no doubt about it. Looking even further ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, they’re already eyeing offensive tackle Trevor Lauck from Iowa, projected around No. 28 overall. This comes as Josh Simmons’ dependability at left tackle faces a test in 2026 after missing half his rookie season due to injury and personal reasons, and Jaylon Moore is likely leaving at right tackle. Plus, Suamataia will be in a contract year in 2027. It just shows the Chiefs are always thinking about keeping that front secure and elevating their ceiling.
The Chiefs are clearly prioritizing protecting their superstar quarterback, and with guys like Creed Humphrey leading the charge with incredible consistency, plus new talent emerging and future draft plans, it looks like they’re set to keep Mahomes upright for a long time. The rest of the league better figure out how to get to him, because it won’t be easy with this crew.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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