The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to finding value in unexpected places, and their 2025 offseason has quietly delivered another potential gem. While first-round pick Josh Simmons and other notable additions have dominated headlines, it’s undrafted offensive tackle Esa Pole out of Washington State who is emerging as one of the most intriguing stories as the Chiefs prepare for training camp. And the more you dig into Pole the more you can’t help but feel excited for this young rookie’s potential and fit in Kansas City.
Unlike many undrafted free agents who arrive as little more than camp bodies, Pole was specifically targeted by Kansas City during the pre-draft process. The Chiefs used one of their final pre-draft interviews on him, signaling legitimate interest. While they ultimately didn’t draft him (likely because they secured Simmons with their first round selection), the front office made sure to bring Pole in as a priority free agent.
Pole’s path to the NFL is unique. He only began playing football at only level a few years ago. He picked up the game well enough to become a two-year starter at Washington State. His first year was undeniably rough (he was still learning the ropes after all) but in his second year he exploded onto the scene. By the 2024 season, he had become a mainstay at left tackle, logging 861 snaps and showing remarkable growth. Pole headed into the draft process as an intriguing developmental talent.
Pole is known for one attribute and one attribute only: his pass protection. His run blocking is still a work in progress (to put it nicely). But his pass blocking is actually outstanding. In fact, when you compare his pass-blocking efficiency to some of the top offensive tackles in the 2025 draft, Pole holds his own and even outperforms some first-rounders. According to Pro Football Focus, Pole’s pass-blocking efficiency was better than Kelvin Banks, a highly touted first-round pick, and in the same league as other top prospects like Josh Simmons and Josh Connerly Jr.
Here’s where it gets really interesting. In terms of pure pass-blocking grade for 2024, Pole actually graded out higher than Simmons. While no one is suggesting Pole is the better overall prospect, the numbers show that, at least in pass protection, he’s operating at a first-round level.
If Pole is such a strong pass blocker, why did he fall out of the draft entirely? The answer comes down to two factors: run blocking and experience. Pole’s run blocking performance was not, to be frank, close to being NFL ready. But to be fair, Washington State’s offense doesn’t emphasize the run, so Pole didn’t get many reps in that area. Additionally, with only two years of college football under his belt, teams had concerns about his readiness. Yes he showed potential but for how many seasons would it take to show up? And would his run blocking every improve? These were very real concerns but no one could ignore the fact that the data shows he’s already elite at the most important job for a tackle: protecting the quarterback.
Pole’s development curve is what makes him so intriguing. In 2023, his grades were mediocre, but by 2024 he had jumped more than 40 points in his PFF score, finishing with an 85.8 pass-blocking grade. He logged seven games with grades above 80 and capped his season with an 88.1 in the bowl game against Syracuse in his best performance of the year. The improvement trend is currently in Pole’s favor and if he can continue this trajectory he has a strong chance to become a quality tackle.
It certainly helps that Pole has an NFL frame. Size and shape are factors that can’t be modified or developed on the practice field. Standing at 6’7″ and 320 pounds, Pole checks the required boxes for an NFL offensive lineman’s dimensions.
It is important to consider the context of this addition. Despite their continued success as a team, Kansas City’s offensive line struggled in pass protection last season. This was particularly obvious at the tackle positions. While Simmons is expected to be a major upgrade in this department, the addition of Pole gives the Chiefs a low-risk, high-reward developmental piece who could step in if injuries strike. Even if he doesn’t start right away, Pole projects as a valuable depth player who can keep Patrick Mahomes upright when called upon.
And one final data point in this UDFA’s favor: Pole rarely drew penalties in college. Penalties have plagued many a young developmental offensive lineman and even veterans too, as Chiefs fans can certainly attest.
Esa Pole isn’t expected to start in 2025, but his elite pass-blocking skills and rapid development make him one of the most intriguing undrafted rookies in the NFL this year. For a Chiefs team built around protecting Patrick Mahomes and maximizing value at every roster spot, Pole represents the kind of smart, forward-thinking move that keeps Kansas City at the top of the league. Chiefs fans should keep a close eye on Pole throughout training camp and the preseason. He might just be the next hidden gem to make a big impact in Kansas City.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
