2023 NFL Draft: Chiefs Recap and UDFA Tracker

With the 2023 NFL Draft being in the books, let's keep track of which UDFAs Kansas City is adding.
In this story:

After a long weekend of surprises and draft-day drama from all 32 NFL teams, the Kansas City Chiefs' 2023 NFL Draft haul has been finalized.

Entering Thursday evening with 10 picks at their disposal, the team ended up using seven of them to add new players into the fold. General manager Brett Veach navigated the board for the draft's three days, utilizing trades on Friday and Saturday to secure picks on both sides of the ball.

With the draft now in the rearview mirror, Arrowhead Report is recapping the Chiefs' 2023 draft haul below while also keeping track of the undrafted free agent market. Prospects who didn't get picked in this year's draft are free to latch on with NFL clubs as early as Saturday, and UDFA news will be rolling in over the next several days. 

This story will be continually updated with undrafted free agent news.

Round 1: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (DE, Kansas State)

To cap off the first round of the draft, the Chiefs went with a player they had ranked highly on the board and someone who just so happened to also help address a team need at a premium position. Anudike-Uzomah is an athletic defensive end who should be a productive player in his rookie campaign as he works to hold his own as a run defender and be a factor as a pass-rush specialist. 

Round 2: Rashee Rice (WR, SMU)

The Chiefs traded up in the second round to draft Rice, with whom they held a top-30 visit during the pre-draft process. Rice also worked with quarterback Patrick Mahomes a bit during the offseason, and that connection helped seal the deal on the pick. Rice often won against zone coverage at SMU and projects to be a contested-catch threat in the NFL while he looks to fine-tune his abilities and potentially gain separation more easily.

Round 3: Wanya Morris (OT, Oklahoma)

Another byproduct of a Veach trade-up on Day 2, the Chiefs landed Morris with pick No. 92. The former Tennessee Volunteers and Oklahoma Sooners standout is a lengthy offensive tackle who already has experience playing with current Chiefs right guard Trey Smith. He's a potential candidate to compete with Lucas Niang for the starting gig at right tackle if he progresses well and shows up in a big way throughout the offseason. 

Round 4: Chamarri Conner (DB, Virginia Tech)

Kansas City shipped two picks away in order to move up for Conner, who did a little bit of everything at Virginia Tech. He's an athletic safety who's capable of dropping into the slot as needed, which makes him an ideal fit in Steve Spagnuolo's defense. The icing on the cake for the Chiefs? Conner is excited to play special teams and could thrive there, which is music to Dave Toub's ears. 

Round 5: BJ Thompson (DE, Stephen F. Austin)

This pick surprised many upon its announcement, as Thompson is light for a defensive end — let alone a Spagnuolo-style one that typically weighs closer to 255 or 260 pounds. Nonetheless, the Stephen F. Austin product is a tremendous athlete and has improved in key areas over the last several months. He boasts some impressive upside despite his age and could be used on pass-rushing downs as a rookie if he has a good next few months auditioning with the team. 

Round 6: Keondre Coburn (DT, Texas)

With Khalen Saunders no longer in the picture and both Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi being under contract through just the 2023-24 season, the Chiefs desperately needed some more defensive line depth. They got just that with Coburn, who is a big-bodied defensive tackle and someone who should serve as more of a traditional nose tackle in Spagnuolo's even-front scheme that requires quality run defense from its interior players. 

Round 7: Nic Jones (CB, Ball State)

The Chiefs drafted a whopping three cornerbacks last season and still have L'Jarius Sneed in the fold for at least the 2023-24 season. The need for a cornerback in this year's draft wasn't pressing. With that said, Jones has experience playing on the outside at Ball State and had a breakout final season. If he can carry that momentum into the NFL with him, he could possibly make Kansas City's roster and serve as secondary depth.

Kansas City Chiefs UDFA Tracker

Saturday UDFA news:

Sunday UDFA news:

Monday UDFA news:

Tuesday UDFA news:

  • Northwest Missouri State linebacker Sam Phillips has been invited to Chiefs rookie minicamp, the team announces

Wednesday UDFA news:

  • Delaware football offensive lineman Joshua Stevens is invited to the Chiefs' rookie minicamp, per the team's tweet

Published
Jordan Foote
JORDAN FOOTE

Jordan Foote is the deputy editor of Kansas City Chiefs On SI. Foote is a Baker University alumnus, earning his degree in Mass Media.