NFL: Each Team’s Biggest 2015 X-Factor

Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Orleans Saints guard Ben Grubbs (66) against the Cleveland Browns defensive end Billy Winn (90) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs LG Ben Grubbs

In an effort to upgrade one of the NFL’s worst guard situations, the Kansas City Chiefs sent a fifth-round pick to the Saints for 31-year-old left guard Ben Grubbs, who is immediately the Chiefs most decorated offensive lineman. Prior to the 2014 season, Grubbs was regarded as one of the league’s best players at the position, consistently delivering strong performances in pass protection.

However, Grubbs was part of the problem in New Orleans last year, constantly causing Drew Brees worries, though he wasn’t helped by his line-mates on the interior (Jahri Evans and center Tim Lelito), as the Saints allowed far too much pressure up the middle.

The Chiefs don’t appear to be concerned with the fact that just five guards, as per PFF, allowed more total pressure than Grubbs did last season, handing him a four-year, $24 million deal with $8 million in guarantees after trading for him.

Grubbs gives the Chiefs offensive line the type of credibility that was previously missing, and he and Jeff Allen could form one of the league’s better guard duos, which will go a long way in helping stars Jamaal Charles and Jeremy Maclin.

Next: The Chargers