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Chiefs could be looking for the next Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in the 2024 NFL draft

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated 4/1/24

The Kansas City Chiefs could be on the hunt for the next Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in the 2024 NFL draft.

A former sixth-round draft pick out of McGill University in Montreal, Canada by the Chiefs in 2014, Duvernay-Tardif became one of the most successful Canadian football players to make the jump to the NFL. He appeared in 60 games with 57 starts from 2015 to 2019 with the Chiefs. He was the starting right guard throughout the playoff run ahead of Super Bowl LIV before opting out of the 2020 NFL season to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in his hometown.

With future needs along the offensive line, Kansas City could seek to develop a Canadian offensive lineman into a starter once again. The Chiefs were among the 16 NFL teams to attend the University of British Columbia Pro Day in late March, according to 3 Down Nation's JC Abbott. There they saw workouts for two intriguing offensive linemen, who could follow in Duvernay-Tardif's footsteps.

Chiefs attend UBC Pro Day to watch OL Theo Benedet, Giovanni Manu

The two players working out at the UBC Pro Day were offensive linemen Theo Benedet and Giovanni Manu. They were bookend tackles for the Thunderbirds, with Manu also playing some left guard during his collegiate career.

Benedet was a highly decorated four-year starter at right tackle, earning first-team All-Canadian honors and the J.P. Metras Trophy (awarded to top Canadian OL) in back-to-back seasons. He didn't miss a single start in each of his four seasons at UBC.

Benedet attended the East-West Shrine Bowl last year, after deciding to return for his final collegiate season at UBC in 2023. It was a good move as it drew the attention of NFL clubs, including the Chiefs.

British Columbia's Theo Benedet mirroring and containing the DL pic.twitter.com/mVHZ819F1K
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 30, 2023

At his Pro Day, Benedet weighed in at 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds. He was dealing with an ankle injury, but still elected to run a 40-yard dash and managed a 5.14s time. He also elected to run a short shuttle (4.60s) and three-cone (7.69s). He posted 23 repetitions of 225 on the bench press. He managed a 34.5-inch vertical jump and 114-inch broad jump.

His running mate Manu is equally intriguing. He weighed in just under 6-foot-8 and 350 pounds, but that didn't stop him from a scorching 5.03s 40-yard dash. He posted a 33.5-inch vertical jump and a 107-inch broad jump, as well as 23 repetitions of 225 on the bench press. He might have some more challenges transitioning to the NFL at his massive size, but it's hard to not be intrigued by the athleticism.

Either player would make sense for Kansas City as a late-round or UDFA addition as a developmental prospect. Given the Chiefs' success with Duvernay-Tardif in the past, it could be something that lures either to the team should they go undrafted.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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