The 2023 NFL Draft has concluded, and the hosting Kansas City Chiefs made seven selections over the weekend. The Chiefs made selections all over the roster to improve their team. Now, on paper, pundits can evaluate the best and most intriguing picks made by the Chiefs this weekend.
Here is a rundown of their draft picks:
- Round 1, Pick 31
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE
- Round 2, Pick 55
- Rashee Rice, WR
- Round 3, Pick 92
- Wanya Morris, OT
- Round 4, Pick 119
- Chamarri Conner, DB
- Round 5, Pick 166
- BJ Thompson, EDGE
- Round 6, Pick 194
- Keondre Coburn, DT
- Round 7, Pick 250
- Nic Jones, CB
Kansas City Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft Review Grade: 8/10
Kansas City Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft Review: Adding Talent At All Levels
The Best Player: Felix Anudike-Uzomah
The Best Player in the Kansas City Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft class is, without a doubt, Felix Anudike-Uzomah. From Anudike-Uzomah’s talent, production, and scheme fit, the Chiefs made a phenomenal pick. The fact that the Kansas City Chiefs are able to bring Anudike-Uzomah, a Kansas State Wildcat and native of Kansas City, back home is the cherry on top. It’s not just a sweet story either. Anudike-Uzomah has the athletic traits to make him a dominant player within the NFL. He brings explosion and impressive speed to power move along with an arsenal of other pass rushing techniques. He also has the strength to set the edge in the run game. Anudike-Uzomah is everything the Chiefs are looking for, and the fit is fantastic for both the team and the player.
The Head-Scratcher: BJ Thompson
Thompson is a long athlete, 6’6″ 240 lbs. and can still pack on muscle to his frame. However, even at a lower-level school, Stephen F. Austin, Thompson only produced six sacks in his college career. He has a lot of potential and room for development but at this time there is a lot left to be desired. The Chiefs have been great about developing their draft picks, and if Thompson is willing to put the work in, he can eventually become a contributor in rushing the quarterback.
The Surprise: Chamarri Conner
The Chiefs traded up with the Vikings to select Chamarri Conner in the fourth round of the draft. The surprise comes in where he will fit in amongst the Chiefs defense. There is no doubt that Conner can contribute on special teams immediately. He projects as a big nickel defender in the NFL. Chamarri is a great athlete, testing very well at the combine with over a 40-inch vertical. The Chiefs drafted multiple defensive backs in the 2022 NFL draft whom Conner can compete with. L’Jarius Sneed, who often plays nickel, has not been signed to a second contract yet. If Kansas City is not expecting to be able to re-sign Sneed, then Conner could prepare to move into that role in the near future.
The Steal: Wanya Morris
Taken at the end of the third, Morris has the NFL-caliber traits to become an NFL offensive tackle. Morris is built with a 6’5″ frame, 307 lbs., and very long 35 1/8″ arms. He is a great athlete and a former five-star recruit. One of the reasons Morris was not taken higher is that he transferred to Oklahoma from Tennessee in 2021 after the firing of UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt. He started eight games in 2022 for the Sooners, but missed time with a shoulder injury. Morris still has work to do with his consistency and power. He will also need to work on connecting his hands with his footwork. However, he will ll immediately have the opportunity to compete for a starting spot at right tackle with Lucas Niang and Darian Kinnard.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Rashee Rice
Patrick Mahomes has a new weapon, and it comes in the form of Rashee Rice, wide receiver from SMU. Rice is an elite level athlete that posted great numbers at the NFL combine. He is coming off a career year at SMU that included 96 receptions for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. Rice projects as an outside weapon because of his size and ability in contested catch situations. With great production in college and athletic testing, Rice is no joke, and a great candidate to be turning heads in training camp this summer. Mahomes and Rice will look to make a connection together this off-season, and it’s likely this duo will soon be making plays together on Sundays.
The Rest
Keondre Coburn is a big defensive tackle from Texas. Measuring at 6’2″ and 332 lbs., he has the size to plug up the middle. Coburn is a very experienced player that made 45 starts at Texas in four seasons. Coburn can be used on first and second down as a run defender. He has the ability to two-gap that you look for in a defensive tackle with a powerful bull-rush. Coburn could quickly be added to the defensive line rotation.
Cornerback Nic Jones is a player with good size and arm length, but lacks the ideal athleticism that you look for at his position. Jones was productive in his final year at Ball State with 12 pass breakups and two interceptions. Jones will have to compete with a young defensive back room for a roster spot on the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
