Chiefs Lose 2023 Sixth-Round Pick Keondre Coburn to Denver Broncos

The Chiefs' recently released 2023 draft pick will stay in the AFC West, one day after Steve Spagnuolo discussed his appreciation for the rookie.

The Kansas City Chiefs made a surprising move on Thursday when they waived 2023 sixth-round pick Keondre Coburn, cutting bait early on the former Texas defensive tackle to make room for the returning Charles Omenihu. The Chiefs were hoping to get Coburn to the team's practice squad, but an AFC West rival stepped in to take Coburn to a new destination.

The Denver Broncos claimed Coburn off waivers, adding him to their 53-man roster, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

On Thursday, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was asked if the Chiefs' goal was to get Coburn back on the practice squad.

"Yeah, we sure do," Spagnuolo said. "I love KC. He was great. I gave him a big hug this morning, and I'll be saying prayers later on that we'll be able to [get him back]. He's a good kid."

After drafting Coburn with a 2023 sixth-round pick in April, the Chiefs traded a 2024 sixth-rounder to the Las Vegas Raiders for defensive tackle Neil Farrell, who was a fourth-round pick in 2022. Farrel and Coburn have both been healthy inactives for the vast majority of this season, with Coburn playing only in Week 1, when the Chiefs were without Chris Jones, for nine snaps. Farrell has played in two games for a total of 28 snaps.

After the NFL Draft, Chiefs regional scout Jason Lamb spoke to the media about why the Chiefs selected Coburn in the sixth round.

"He’s a big dude up front," Lamb said. "Strong, powerful, explosive and the thing about him though, for being as big as he is, the dude can move. He’ll go out there and go chase quarterbacks, he can run around, make the quarterback scramble outside the pocket. He’s going to bring a big presence up front and a lot of explosiveness. A lot of power, a lot of strength in his game.”

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