With 2023 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to get an idea of how 2023 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
These insights are an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 500+ page book “2023 Football Preview” which is now available for download.
In the book, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of the rookie class for all 32 NFL teams by draft guru Ryan McCrystal.
Who are the Kansas City Chiefs rookies?
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State | Round 1, Pick 31
- Rashee Rice, WR, SMU | Round 2, Pick 55
- Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma | Round 3, Pick 92
- Chamarri Conner, CB, Virginia Tech | Round 4, Pick 119
- BJ Thompson, EDGE, SFA | Round 5, Pick 166
- Keondre Coburn, DT, Texas | Round 6, Pick 194
- Nic Jones, CB, Ball State | Round 7, Pick 250
Kansas City Chiefs Draft Class Grade:
The Chiefs received a B- rookie class draft grade from PFF, a B from ESPN, and a C from NFL Network.
Which Chiefs Rookies Will Make An Impact?
As is the trend for defending champs, the Chiefs reached to fill an immediate need when it added Felix Anudike-Uzomah (first round). Frank Clark averaged 45 snaps per game last season and played a critical role on passing downs, and the Chiefs lacked an in-house replacement. Anudike-Uzomah has impressive traits, but the production hasn’t matched his athleticism.
In 2022, Anudike-Uzomah ranked 15th out of 38 Big 12 pass rushers with an 11.8% pressure rate when lined up on the edge. In seven games against teams ranked in the top 50 of pressure rate allowed, Anudike-Uzomah’s edge pressure rate dropped to a disappointing 9.2%.
Rashee Rice (second round) fills another immediate need as the Chiefs look to replace the production of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman.
Rice has extensive experience in the slot and the outside and should compete for immediate playing time. His impressive numbers at SMU were mostly the product of volume. He won with raw athleticism more than precise routes, but he lacks the traits to continue to win with inefficient fundamentals in the NFL.
Rice’s best fit may be on the outside where his straight-line athleticism is a better fit. In 2021, while almost exclusively lining up in the slot, Rice’s yards after catch production was 13% below expected based on route-adjusted data.
Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck has demonstrated a track record of success developing big, long tackles like Wanya Morris (third round). Morris was wildly inconsistent over the course of his career at Tennessee and Oklahoma, but at 6-foot-5 and with 35-inch arms, he has the physical traits the Chiefs tend to look for in offensive tackles.
The Chiefs signed Donovan Smith to a one-year contract, so the plan is likely to let Morris develop for a year before allowing him to compete for a starting job in 2024.
Chamarri Conner (fourth round) adds valuable depth to the secondary. He primarily played in the slot with some reps in the box for most of his career at Virginia Tech but saw more action in the free safety role in 2022 after a coaching change. Conner saw extensive special teams experience in each of his five years with the Hokies.
B.J. Thompson (fifth round) is already 24 years old and struggled at Baylor early in his career before being dismissed from the program for a failed drug test. He ultimately landed at Stephen F. Austin where he overpowered lower-level competition with his length and athleticism as a pass rusher.
Andy Reid loves gambling on high-upside prospects late in the draft, so it's no surprise he would roll the dice on Thompson after he checked in with 34-inch arms and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.
Keondre Coburn (sixth round) was a four-year starter as a space-eating nose tackle at Texas. He typically came off the field on passing downs, so he will likely be an early-down run defender in Kansas City.
The Chiefs lost Khalen Saunders in free agency, so Coburn will have an opportunity to compete for his snaps. 32% of Saunders's snaps came while lined up in the zero or one-tech position.
Nic Jones (seventh round) has ideal length (32-inch arms) and showed some on-ball production in coverage at Ball State. There’s a lot of competition on the depth chart at cornerback, so he’ll need to prove he can contribute on special teams to win a job.
The Chiefs took some big swings early in the draft, arguably reaching to fill their three biggest needs through the first three rounds. Contenders can justify drafting for need, but it often backfires. Just look back at the Chiefs’ draft class following their last Super Bowl victory.
The Chiefs used three top-100 picks in 2020, and second-round pick Willie Gay was the only contributor during last year’s title run. First-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire and third-rounder Lucas Niang already appear to be buried on the depth chart.
