(610 Sports) – The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kentucky offensive lineman Darian Kinnard with the No. 145 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Kinnard, a top-100 high school recruit nationally from St. Ignatius High School in Ohio, was named a third-team Associated Press All-American and second-team All-SEC selection after starting all 11 games at right tackle for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2020. He garnered first-team Associated Press All-American honors and won the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the conference's top offensive lineman for his play in 13 starts at right tackle in 2021.
A three year starter at right tackle, Kinnard projects as a right guard at the next level. He possesses a girthy, yet well-proportioned frame, but faces some lateral and recovery movement limitations.
If the Chiefs do move Kinnard to the inside, there may be some growing pains but remaining patient could garner them a quality, impact starter to pair up with Joe Thuney and recent standout draft picks, Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey along the Chiefs offensive line.