The reigning Super Bowl champions and 2023 NFL Draft hosts, the Kansas City Chiefs have become a perennial superpower in the NFL with Patrick Mahomes under center. How did they strengthen their roster this weekend? The Chiefs’ draft grades tell the story of how Kansas City’s 2023 NFL Draft unfolded.
Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 31: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
The Chiefs rounded out the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Kansas State pass rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Although they added George Karlaftis in the previous class, Kansas City’s addition of Charles Omenihu in the offseason showcased a clear need to add pass-rush reinforcements.
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In Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs snag a player whose pass-rush potential is through the roof. His combination of motor, explosiveness, lateral agility, a bevy of pass-rush moves, and, most importantly, the wherewithal to use them effectively is exceptionally enticing, while he plays with a relentless energy in all phases of the game.
Grade: B+
Round 2, Pick 55: Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
The first Group of Five prospect selected in the 2023 NFL Draft just happens to be the one who led the nation in receiving yards per game in the 2022 college football campaign. Rashee Rice gives Mahomes another devastating weapon in the passing game, with his combination of speed and size making him a difficult proposition to stop at any level of the field.
Rice is as impressive contesting at the catch point as he is using his deceptive athleticism to add yardage after the catch. Although he was the 97th overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, this shouldn’t be seen as a reach for the Chiefs. Rice has impact maker written all over him.
Grade: B+
Round 3, Pick 92: Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
The 74th-ranked player on the PFN Big Board, Wanya Morris is something of a steal for the Kansas City Chiefs after they traded up with the Cincinnati Bengals. A highly regarded high school prospect, he played at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma, where he developed into an impressive offensive tackle under renowned o-line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.
He has the explosion and power to be a force in the ground game, while his footwork allows him to match rushers. Measuring in with over 35” arms, Morris has the length and size to keep pass rushers away from his chest. He can be the starting right tackle for the Chiefs sooner rather than later.
Grade: B+
Round 4, Pick 119: Chamarri Conner, S, Virginia Tech
The Chiefs flipped the 134th pick this year and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to trade up and select Chamarri Conner out of Virginia Tech. While cornerback is a need, Conner is something of a reach as the 275th player on the PFN Big Board and with more talented CBs available. Nonetheless, Conner has an alluring combination of size, athleticism, production, and experience.
Grade: C+
Round 5, Pick 166: BJ Thompson, EDGE, Stephen F. Austin
The Chiefs add a hyper-athletic pass rusher to their roster in the form of BJ Thompson. The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack showed out at the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, capitalizing on the opportunity to showcase his ability and parlay it into a fifth-round pick.
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Some eye-popping testing numbers – 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 40” vertical, 11’3” broad jump – translate to the field as Thompson is an explosive pass rusher who flies off the edge as a dangerous backfield disruptor.
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 194: Keondre Coburn, DT, Texas
The Chiefs tick off another need by adding Texas DT Keondre Coburn to their defensive interior. At 6’1” and 330 pounds, Coburn is a stout defensive tackle who is able to use his shorter height to his advantage in the trenches. He’s powerful at the point of attack, and his tackling ability makes him a force against the ground game. The 239th overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, this being a little reach impacts the overall grade.
Grade: C
Round 7, Pick 250: Nic Jones, CB, Ball State
The Chiefs finish their hometown draft in style with the addition of Ball State cornerback Nic Jones. The Cardinal has all the athletic traits to be successful in man schemes while possessing the play recognition and reaction skills to succeed as a zone corner. Jones has decent size and excellent length, which, combined with his ball-tracking skills, make him a menace at the catch point.
Grade: A
What Were the Chiefs’ Biggest Needs Entering the Draft?
- DT, WR, OT, EDGE, CB
The Chiefs need wide receivers like I need a stiff drink after a long day of work. It’s not really a necessity, but it feels nice to have. Some DT help is the most significant need, and no team has ever had too many edge rushers, either.
Kansas City likes Lucas Niang on the right side and just drafted Darian Kinnard a season ago in Round 5, but it wouldn’t hurt to peak at the position come draft day. Jaylen Watson might have potential, but the Chiefs could improve at CB by replacing him as well.