Arrowhead Report

KC Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft Tracker: Picks, Analysis and More

Keeping up with all of the Chiefs' moves before, during and after the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jordan Foote

In this story:

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a busy offseason following their Super Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and the team's 2023 NFL Draft class will play a major role in deciding whether the team can repeat as world champions.

Armed with 10 picks to work with heading into the draft, general manager Brett Veach had every chance to add to the NFL's most successful team from a season ago. With multiple selections in rounds four, five and seven, he can use his draft capital to move up and down the board as he sees fit. The post-draft class also opens the door for more high-profile undrafted free agents to be added to Kansas City's roster.

In the Arrowhead Report Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft Tracker, we'll be following the latest news for anything Chiefs draft-related. An analysis of the team's pressing needs for the present and future, as well as lists of this year's picks and undrafted free agents who signed with the team, will be made available. 

Without further ado, let's break down the 2023 NFL Draft.

Kansas City Chiefs' biggest needs for 2023 NFL Draft

Coming into the draft, the consensus top-three needs for the Chiefs are — in no particular order — wide receiver, offensive tackle and defensive end. The departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman Jr. in free agency leave the cupboard a bit bare at wideout, as Kansas City is largely relying on unproven players to shoulder the load in 2023-24. At offensive tackle, Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie are out and only Jawaan Taylor is in. On the outside of Steve Spagnuolo's defensive line, a complement to George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu would be a wise selection. 

The interior defensive line group could be on a tier of its own in terms of needs for Kansas City. Chris Jones's long-term contract situation is still undecided and while Derrick Nnadi is back on another one-year contract, an upgrade wouldn't be a bad idea. Elsewhere, tight end and running back are lower-tier needs on offense. A youthful understudy to Travis Kelce isn't quite needed, but it'd be a positive development. Jerick McKinnon is still on the free agent market, rendering the halfback depth behind Isiah Pacheco slim.

Supporting "needs" for the Chiefs include linebacker and secondary. The front office has a ton of depth at linebacker and safety heading into 2023, but multiple players from both groups project to become free agents next offseason. Drafting a year or two in advance is always a wise strategy, as all members of a rookie class aren't guaranteed to see the field plenty in their first years on the job. Not many positions can truly be ruled out here. 

Tracking Kansas City Chiefs 2023 draft picks

Picks are a pre-draft list and will be updated when and if trades occur.

  • Round 1, Pick No. 31: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE, Kansas State)
    • The local prospect ends up finding a home not too far down the road. Anudike-Uzomah is a quality defensive end prospect whose athletic profile tested well in the pre-draft process. He'll help bolster the Chiefs' defensive line along with Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu and others.
  • Round 2, Pick No. 55: Rashee Rice (WR, SMU)
    • In a trade with the Detroit Lions that cost picks 63, 122 and 249 but brought back Nos. 55 and 194, the Chiefs secured a boundary wideout from SMU who played all four years with the Mustangs and had nearly 100 catches with well over 1,000 receiving yards in his final campaign.
  • Round 3, Pick No. 92: Wanya Morris (OT, Oklahoma)
    • Giving up picks 95 and 217 to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chiefs executed a minor trade-up later in the third round to secure an offensive tackle who could compete for reps on the right side early in the 2023 offseason while Lucas Niang is also in the picture.
  • Round 4, Pick No. 119: Chamarri Conner (DB/S, Virginia Tech)
    • Moving up (again) to get their desired player, Kansas City snags Conner to serve as a projected special-teamer and developmental player in Steve Spagnuolo's secondary. They sent pick No. 134 and a future fifth-rounder to the Minnesota Vikings in the trade.
  • Round 5, Pick No. 166: BJ Thompson (EDGE, Stephen F. Austin)
    • Thompson, who had a top-30 visit with the Chiefs during the pre-draft process, is underweight for a traditional Steve Spagnuolo defensive end but has recently put on some weight and boasts the upside to be a factor on pass-rushing downs. 
  • Round 6, Pick No. 178: This selection was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick. 
  • Round 6, Pick No. 194: Keondre Coburn (DT, Texas) 
    • Coburn is an East-West Shrine Bowl participant and a player who should be able to find a role at some point due to his proficiency as a run defender and his size.
  • Round 7, Pick No. 250: Nic Jones (CB, Ball State)
    • Kansas City uses its seventh-round pick on a Ball State defensive back with four years of playing experience and plenty of production in his breakout senior season with the Cardinals.

Kansas City Chiefs undrafted free agent news

A list of those tied to the Chiefs on the UDFA market. You can find a comprehensive breakdown here.

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.

Home/Draft