Andy Reid Beefing Up Offensive Line as Kansas City Chiefs Sign Geoff Schwartz

The Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid continued putting a heavy emphasis on the offensive line, signing versatile lineman Geoff Schwartz on Friday. Schwartz performed admirably in 160 snaps at right guard for the Minnesota Vikings last season but was often stuck behind Brandon Fusco on the depth chart.

Schwartz himself broke the story on his Twitter account: “Excited to officially be a new member of the @kcchiefs!”

The Chiefs are still widely projected to draft Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher first overall at left tackle and move Branden Albert from left to starting right tackle. Albert received the franchise tag this offseason but has yet to sign it.

Schwartz vacillated between starter and reserve last season with the Vikings after starting with the Carolina Panthers in 2010 and spending 2011 on injured reserve. Schwartz filled in for Fusco at times in 2012, despite earning a 5.8 Pro Football Focus grade compared to Fusco’s shaky -12.5. Two years prior, Schwartz totaled 1,016 snaps between guard and tackle on the right side with the Panthers.

Kansas City recently cut right tackle Eric Winston, to whom the team had doled out a four-year, $22 million contract last offseason, but retained his backup in Donald Stephenson along with starting guards Jon Asamoah and Jeff Allen. Another major move Reid has made since joining the Chiefs is cutting starting quarterback Matt Cassel after trading for mobile San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google