{"id":861776,"date":"2026-04-08T23:12:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T23:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/861776\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T23:12:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T23:12:17","slug":"chiefs-fans-debate-drafting-utah-ot-spencer-fano-at-no-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/861776\/","title":{"rendered":"Chiefs Fans Debate Drafting Utah OT Spencer Fano at No. 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

\"AA cubist illustration captures the complex strategic decisions facing the Chiefs’ front office as they weigh their options for the 9th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.Kansas City Today<\/p>\n

In our ‘Let’s Argue’ series, writer Mark Gunnels considers the hot takes and unpopular opinions of Kansas City Chiefs fans about the team potentially drafting Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano with the 9th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Gunnels believes the Chiefs have more pressing needs at other positions like edge rusher, wide receiver, and running back.<\/p>\n

Why it matters<\/p>\n

The Chiefs have several holes to fill on both sides of the ball, and their first-round pick at No. 9 overall will be crucial in addressing their most immediate needs as they look to continue their Super Bowl contention under Patrick Mahomes.<\/p>\n

The details<\/p>\n

Gunnels believes the Chiefs should target an edge rusher, wide receiver, or running back with the No. 9 pick instead of Fano, who would play right tackle. The team is already strong on the offensive line with starters like left tackle Josh Simmons, left guard Kingsley Suamataia, center Creed Humphrey, and right guard Trey Smith. Projected starter Jaylon Moore at right tackle is ‘average at best’ according to Gunnels, but the team could also give an opportunity to Esa Pole, an undrafted free agent from last year.<\/p>\n

The 2023 NFL Draft will take place from April 27-29, 2023.<\/p>\n

The players<\/p>\n

Spencer Fano<\/p>\n

A offensive tackle prospect from the University of Utah who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Patrick Mahomes<\/p>\n

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs who has led the team to five Super Bowl appearances by age 30.<\/p>\n

Brett Veach<\/p>\n

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs who will be making the team’s draft selections, including the No. 9 overall pick.<\/p>\n

Josh Simmons<\/p>\n

The starting left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs.<\/p>\n

Kingsley Suamataia<\/p>\n

The starting left guard for the Kansas City Chiefs.<\/p>\n

Creed Humphrey<\/p>\n

The starting center for the Kansas City Chiefs.<\/p>\n

Trey Smith<\/p>\n

The starting right guard for the Kansas City Chiefs.<\/p>\n

Jaylon Moore<\/p>\n

The projected starting right tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, who is described as ‘average at best’ by the writer.<\/p>\n

Esa Pole<\/p>\n

An undrafted free agent from last year who the writer believes could compete for the starting right tackle job.<\/p>\n

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\n What they\u2019re saying<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has nothing to do with the player Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano is; he has a chance to be a right tackle in this league for a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Gunnels, Writer<\/p>\n

\u201cIdeally, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach selects an edge rusher or a receiver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Gunnels, Writer<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Moore doesn’t work out, I wouldn’t mind giving Esa Pole, an undrafted free agent last year, a real shot at competing to play right tackle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Gunnels, Writer<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is available at pick nine, I would strongly consider taking the draft’s top wideout.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Gunnels, Writer<\/p>\n

\u201cMahomes has been to five Super Bowls, and he’s only 30-years-old. I would gladly take the over here, Bascho.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Gunnels, Writer<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next<\/p>\n

The Chiefs will have a chance to address their roster needs when the 2023 NFL Draft takes place from April 27-29.<\/p>\n

The takeaway<\/p>\n

The Chiefs have several pressing needs to fill on both offense and defense, and their first-round pick at No. 9 overall will be crucial in determining how they approach the 2023 season and their continued Super Bowl contention under Patrick Mahomes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Got story updates? Submit your updates here. \u203a A cubist illustration captures the complex strategic decisions facing the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":861777,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2063],"tags":[346,7,118,110,2438,2437,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-861776","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kansas-city-chiefs","8":"tag-chiefs","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-kansas-city","11":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs","12":"tag-kansascity","13":"tag-kansascitychiefs","14":"tag-nfl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116371624345365744","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=861776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861776\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/861777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=861776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=861776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=861776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}