The Atlanta Falcons are trading for third-year Kansas City Chiefs tackle Wanya Morris, team sources confirmed to The Athletic on Thursday, adding a second Kansas City offensive lineman this offseason.
The Falcons will receive a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Chiefs while sending a 2027 sixth-rounder back to Kansas City, team sources confirmed.
The Chiefs selected Morris as a third-round pick in 2023. He started 16 games for Kansas City across three seasons, with only one start last year. Morris, a Georgia native, graduated from Grayson High (Ga.), located in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
He joins a Falcons offensive line with stalwart starter Jake Matthews at left tackle and Morris’ former Kansas City teammate Jawaan Taylor as the projected right tackle. Taylor signed a one-year free agency deal with the Falcons in March. Storm Norton was the only veteran reserve on the roster before Morris’ addition, and Norton was placed on the physically unable to perform list Thursday afternoon.
Morris gets fresh start, Kansas City has options at tackle
Morris never lived up to expectations after the Chiefs traded up for him in 2023, and he didn’t appear to be making up ground during recent summer practices in Kansas City.
Morris was mostly a scout-team player in recent workouts, as the Chiefs gave more reps to younger players whom they’d elevated above him.
Completing this deal makes sense for Morris and the Chiefs. Morris understood he didn’t appear to be part of the Chiefs’ primary plans in 2026, so getting a fresh start elsewhere could help his career while also giving the Chiefs some modest draft capital.
Bigger picture, though, this also signifies that the Chiefs like some of their potential options at right tackle — even as they plan to open competition for the job in training camp.
Veteran Jaylon Moore still has to be considered the favorite, but coach Andy Reid also confirmed last week that second-year player Esa Pole had rotated in with the 1s lately. Another dark horse is 2026 undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson, who was a standout at mandatory minicamp practices this week. Benson was the starting right tackle for national champion Indiana last season.
“He’s big and strong, and looks like he has good athletic ability — good feet for a big fella like that. Extremely strong hands,” Reid said. “I look forward to seeing him in pads.”
Reid said Wednesday during an interview broadcast to fans at practice that Benson was “another one that has a chance” at the right tackle, while also mentioning Moore, Pole and veteran Chu Godrick. — Jesse Newell, Chiefs writer