And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the Kansas City Chiefs. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
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- NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
- Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
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2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: Kansas City Chiefs
NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades
Kansas City Chiefs | Draft Grade: D-
| Pick | Team | Position | Rank | Name | School | Comp |
| 31 | Chiefs | ED8 | 40 | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Kansas State | Harold Landry |
| 55 | Chiefs | WR13 | 98 | Rashee Rice | SMU | Nate Burleson |
| 92 | Chiefs | OT9 | 82 | Wanya Morris | Oklahoma | Kenyatta Walker |
| 119 | Chiefs | S21 | 266 | Chamarri Conner | Virginia Tech | Geno Stone |
| 166 | Chiefs | ED31 | 269 | BJ Thompson | Stephen F Austin | Arden Key |
| 194 | Chiefs | DL19 | 239 | Keondre Coburn | Texas | Tim Settle |
| 250* | Chiefs | CB36 | 276 | Nic Jones | Ball State | Blessuan Austin |
The Chiefs badly needed an edge rusher with Frank Clark gone, a guy who could complement George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu. I wasn’t surprised they targeted that position in Round 1.
I would have taken Keion White, but it’s hard to quibble too much with Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The organization certainly had boots-on-the-ground exposure to him, with Anudike-Uzomah playing nearby in Manhattan.
I thought it was interesting that the Chiefs popped WR Rashee Rice in Round 2. When Rice is on, he’s very difficult to deal with down the field – and he’s proven he can win at all three sectors of the field. When he’s off, he’s a non-factor. Will the light turn on playing with the best quarterback in football?
My favorite value pick of KC’s draft was OT Wanya Morris, a late third-rounder. I was confused by Kansas City’s work on Saturday.
Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades
In Round 1, KC added pass-rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Anudike- Uzomah took a step back in terms of production in 2022 (just outside top 30 in QB hits/sacks) but his 2021 season should not be forgotten. He finished as PFF’s 21st-highest pass-rusher in the nation with 13 sacks.
The pick is par for the course as a team with not many needs to just go edge, but I thought KC could have gone in several different directions with cornerback and interior defensive line more pressing areas of the defense.
They did address a bigger need in Round 2 with WR Rashee Rice out of SMU. Rice was a super productive WR in college and broke out at an early age. He can be used as a vertical threat and ball winner which should gel with his new quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Anything to get MVS off the field is a plus for the Chiefs offense.
Tackle Wanya Morris gives the Chiefs another depth piece across their OL, with experience playing tackle/guard on both sides of the line. Per Sports Info Solutions, he posted the lowest overall blown block percentage (0.5%) in the 2023 tackle class.
KC kicked off Day 3 with additions at cornerback/safety with Chamarri Conner. The Chiefs hit on a ton of Day 3 secondary pieces last season, and are hoping they can do so again.
FINAL DRAFT GRADE: B-
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