Ex-Chiefs Tackle Now Ranks Among NFL’s Best Pass Protectors

Former Kansas City Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor has emerged as one of the best pass protectors in the NFL, according to reports. While concerns arose over the right tackle spot after Kaleb McGary's retirement, Taylor has delivered impressive performances in the trenches. In the first five games of the 2026 season, he boasts a remarkable 92% pass block win rate, placing him fifth among all offensive tackles.

Only Kolton Miller of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jermaine Eluemunor of the New York Giants have a better record.

Taylor's improved performance in Atlanta is starkly different from his time with the Chiefs, where he often struggled with penalties. Last season, he received 16 flags in 2023 and 14 in 2024. However, he now seems to be providing the stability the team needed when he signed with the Falcons in April.

Despite not being perfect, Taylor has utilized his 111 career starts in his first seven seasons to stabilize the line. His experience is exactly what the Falcons required to fill the void left by McGary. Initially, many viewed Taylor as the weak link on the offensive line, but recent reports suggest that concern might lie elsewhere. While the team needed to replace McGary, the real issue could be with Jake Matthews, rather than Taylor.