Just a day ago, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said they will have to make the tough decision of cutting players to make the 53-man roster. A day later, the Chiefs have said goodbye to one of their own to welcome a new player.

“Adding Pounds: The #Ravens are trading OT Diego Pounds to the #Chiefs, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo,” insider Ian Rapoport said on X on August 29. “The undrafted free agent from Ole Miss lands in KC.”

In the process, the Chiefs have sent a 2028 conditional sixth-round pick to the Ravens, as reported by The Star. However, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it could be a Day 3 2027 pick or a Day 3 2028 pick.

The giving away part was not difficult for Kansas City. Pounds’ impressive preseason made him a fan favorite. He was one of Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded rookies this preseason.

Pounds checked in at No. 3 overall with a 90.9 grade.

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds from Ole Miss Rebels, ran his 40-yard dash in 5.15 seconds, with a 30” vertical jump. According to NFL.com, he ranked 7th among offensive tackles in the NFL Combine, with an athleticism score of 75. 

He had a good showing against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. Per Gordon Guinness, he has been on the field for 15 pass-blocking snaps and did not allow a sack hit, or hurry. Pounds played 58 snaps at left tackle while allowing no pressure on 26 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF.

But the Ravens made a savvy business decision. After all, they could not give Pounds a space in Baltimore’s crowded depth chart. Even though the undrafted rookie offensive tackle had chances in the backup spot, the Ravens decided to limit it to four. 

With Carson Vinson, Gerad Lichtenhan, Andrew Vorhees, Jovaughn Gwyn, Emery Jones Jr., and Corey Bullock already vying for roster spots, the competition was crowded. Six players were fighting for four or five spots, making Pounds’ roster chances even more difficult. At the end of the day, they struck a deal with a team that has been a thorn for the Ravens over the past few years. The Chiefs lead the series 10-5-0, by winning the last three outings against their AFC rivals.

Meanwhile, with Week 1 nearing, Kansas City has remained active in strengthening its offensive line, recently trading for Josh Ezeudu from the New York Giants on Wednesday, August 26. 

However, when it comes to Pounds, he comes into a crowded room in Kansas City, where the team is facing some trouble with star OT Josh Simmons.

Josh Simmons’ Injury Raises Chiefs’ O-Line Concerns

Expected to be the starting left tackle this year, he has unfortunately been absent from practice after being evaluated for a back injury. The tensions grew after Simmons did not play during the Chiefs’ 9-9 preseason tie with the Seattle Seahawks in their preseason finale on August 28. 

“It’s going to take a little bit of time, here,” head coach Reid said, remaining positive. “But he’s a hard worker when it comes to these types of things. It’s just a matter of eliminating some of the pain he has. And strength — making sure he has enough strength, there.”

While they are hopeful about Simmons, it does not seem he will be fit by Week 1. That’s where Pounds fits in, as he played left tackle during the preseason. Along with this, he racked up over 2,500 snaps at left tackle in North Carolina and Ole Miss combined. 

However, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated begs to differ that the two situations are intertwined. 

“This, to be clear, isn’t about Josh Simmons, though there is concern there,” he wrote on X. “Coach Andy Reid mentioned last night the team is going to be cautious with Simmons, who has a back issue. Simmons got a second opinion on it recently, and KC’s still working through all that.”

Getting a promising offensive lineman from an AFC rival for a Day 3 pick is a solid piece of business by the Chiefs. How they use him remains the question.