Kansas City is the host of the 2023 NFL Draft. Entering night one, the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs held the 31st overall pick. Following free agency, the Chiefs had key departures from their team at multiple positions. Both of their starting tackles from last season, Orland Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie, moved on to their respective new teams. They also had a pair of departing wide receivers in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. Defensive edge rusher Frank Clark also departed. With these departures, Kansas City will look to upgrade their roster through the draft. Immediately, the sought to find the replacement for Clark, selecting edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Kansas City Chiefs Select Felix Anudike-Uzomah in First Round
Round 1: Pick 31 – EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
With the final pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE from Kansas State. Anudike-Uzomah is a hometown hero, born in Kansas City, MO. He is an explosive high intensity athlete off the edge. Anudike-Uzomah is built with a 6’3″ frame, 255 lbs., and 33 1/2″ arms with room to add more mass.
He possesses a speed to power move that produced well within Kansas State’s defense. Over his final two seasons at Kansas State, Anudike-Uzomah posted 19.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss. This should translate well into Spagnuolo’s 4-3 defense as an edge defender. Former Kansas City Chief, Frank Clark has even been An NFL comp for Anudike-Uzomah.
Anudike-Uzomah will look to join a rotation of pass rushers including 2022 first round pick, George Karlaftis and new addition Charles Omenihu. Brett Veach and the Kansas City Chiefs have done a phenomenal job of continuing to construct their roster. Adding a new edge defender and pass rusher in Felix Anudike-Uzomah will be an instant upgrade to the Chiefs defense. The Chiefs have consistently shown that they handle their business the right way. It is only fitting that they land their hometown guy in Anudike-Uzomah, keeping him in Kansas City for the foreseeable future. His NFL dreams have come true, and his dreams of chasing championships have only just begun.
Options for Day 2 and 3
Having spent pick 31 on edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs are likely to turn offensive on day two and three. However, they own nine other selections, giving Brett Veach flexibility over the final two days of the draft. Tight end Michael Mayer is still on the board, potentially allowing the Chiefs to get a future tight end if they trade up on day two. However, a slot-receiver in round two might allow the Chiefs to select a tight end later. A player such as Marvin Mims might give the offense an elite playmaker, capable of stretching the field.
Later in the draft, the Chiefs might also grab several cornerbacks to add to their, traditionally, shaky secondary. The Chiefs need to address the cornerback position once again and add rookie depth at the position. Selecting a few players for depth and special teams should address one of the bigger concerns for the Chiefs too, giving them the needed security to make another run to a Super Bowl.
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