KC Chiefs 2023 Mock Draft 2.0: Adding Upside
The 2023 NFL Draft is two weeks (and counting) away, and the Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of pick ammo at their disposal.
With 10 selections in the fold, general manager Brett Veach will have the opportunity to add to a Super Bowl-winning team that already featured a fantastic 2022 rookie class. If Kansas City can nail this year's draft while also serving as the host city for the event, the present and future of the Chiefs organization will continue to be sparkling.
In the spirit of the draft, there are countless mocks being floated around. In my official Arrowhead Report Chiefs Mock 1.0, I executed a 50-50 split of offensive and defensive players being sent to Kansas City. The same thing happened this time around, although this crop of players is completely new. Mock 2.0 will follow the same set of rules as its predecessor:
- Normal settings were used in this mock draft
- No Chiefs trades were made for the sake of consistency
- Too many duplicate picks will be avoided (if possible) over the course of the mock series in an effort to present looks at as many different prospects as possible
- The top three available players on the board were deemed ineligible for each pick to prevent unexpected falls from sweetening the pot too much
This mock came from the NFL Mock Draft Database. You can see the abbreviated list of 10 here.
Round 1, Pick 31: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE, Kansas State)
A local prospect who played at (somewhat) nearby Kansas State University, Felix Anudike-Uzomah is one of the more intriguing prospects in this year's EDGE class. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder weighed in a bit heavier than expected at the NFL Combine and has 331/2-inch arms that fit Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's preferences. Anudike-Uzomah offers upside as an athletic speed rusher and is something different than what Kansas City typically opts for in its high-snap players. The value at 31st overall isn't great as-is on my board but if the former Wildcat can continue to add strength and improve as a pass-rushing threat, it's completely fine.
Round 2, Pick 63: Marvin Mims (WR, Oklahoma)
Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims is on the smaller side (5'107/8", 183 pounds) yet maintains an impressive overall athletic profile with the ability to stretch the field with good efficacy. Playing a more spirited brand of football than his frame suggests, Mims does get washed out of his routes more often than desired but has a competitive toughness that is hard to teach. A big play waiting to happen, Mims is a worthwhile selection at the end of the second round and would give the Chiefs the closest thing they've had to Tyreek Hill (perhaps excluding Kadarius Toney) from a speed-receiver perspective since the Pro Bowl wideout was traded last offseason.
Round 3, Pick 95: Tyler Steen (OT, Alabama)
A Senior Bowl participant earlier this year, Alabama's Tyler Steen has plenty of experience. The 321-pounder has a 6-foot-6 frame, although his 323/4-inch arms blur the line a bit between whether he's a tackle or a guard at the next level. An impressive run blocker with versatility having played multiple spots along the offensive line, Steen is still too inconsistent overall to be deemed a day-one starter for a team. As a Day Two draft pick, though, Kansas City would be securing a swing tackle who can provide instant depth while working to improve over the course of his rookie contract. The value here is suitable.
Round 4, Pick 122: Byron Young (DT, Alabama)
Steen's teammate on the Crimson Tide, Byron Young was a four-year player and ended up recording 130 tackles during his time with the team. He also tallied 7.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, with four and 5.5 of those, respectively, coming in his senior campaign. The third round is where Veach has traditionally sought after quality interior defensive linemen to complement Chris Jones (Derrick Nnadi, Khalen Saunders) but here, he gets one with a bit of a pass-rush ceiling in round four. Young could play some snaps on early downs as soon as his rookie campaign, as his run defense.
Round 4, Pick 134: Zack Kuntz (TE, Old Dominion)
For the second mock in a row, a tight end is the 134th overall pick. This time around, it's Old Dominion's Zack Kuntz being selected after an injury-shortened final season with the Monarchs. Kuntz is a legitimate 6-foot-7 and has one of the most impressive athletic testing profiles in this entire draft class — regardless of position. There is a very clear ceiling for Kuntz as someone who uses his athleticism to the fullest both pre- and post-catch. On the other hand, he still needs to fine-tune his route-running process and become a more consistent threat when attempting to haul in the ball. Splitting the difference and banking on the ceiling is wise here.
Round 5, Pick 166: Eric Gray (RB, Oklahoma)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray, who shared the field on offense with Mims, had a heck of a senior season for the Sooners. Toting the ball 213 times for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns, he also hauled in 33 passes in the process. He would give the Chiefs something they desperately need in the backfield as a receiver, of course pending any additions or a re-signing of Jerick McKinnon. Gray's limited athletic profile (smaller frame and a 4.62-second 40-yard dash with a poor three-cone) likely maxes him out as a committee-type piece at the next level and his blocking needs work, but the clear "plus" skill in his toolbox makes him a worthy pick.
Round 5, Pick 178: Andrei Iosivas (WR, Princeton)
In his last season at Princeton, Andrei Iosivas caught 66 passes and scored seven touchdowns while averaging 14.3 yards per reception. He then proceeded to test out terrifically at the NFL Combine, posting a 9.96 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) that rivaled just about anyone in the class. He is still raw as a pure receiver and needs serious work in order to be a well-rounded route runner, but the fundamentals are there for him to become a unique vertical threat while he attempts to figure the rest out. This is a lottery ticket pick, and one that could pan out if the Chiefs can work with Iosivas on the nuances of the position.
Round 6, Pick 217: Myles Brooks (CB, Louisiana Tech)
Veach and the Chiefs have a penchant for Day Three cornerbacks with sturdy frames, starting that trend with the 2020 selection of L'Jarius Sneed after he came out of Louisiana Tech. Here, the team drafts another former Bulldog: Myles Brooks. Brooks played three seasons at Stephen F. Austin before making the jump to LA Tech for his final collegiate season, flashing the upside of someone who uses his length, physicality and ball skills to thrive vertically. Brooks's poor agility testing in the pre-draft process raised some questions about his ability to stick in the NFL. If any team can harness the best of him, however, it's Kansas City.
Round 7, Pick 249: Jeremy Banks (LB, Tennessee)
Despite standing just 6-foot-1 and having some lackluster agility grades this spring, Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks should hear his name get called on Day Three of the NFL Draft. He's a very impressive straight-line runner who can explode downhill to close on opposing ball carriers with ease. Additionally, Banks has a bit of range in coverage due to that borderline elite long speed. He doesn't process well for his age (23), though, and will turn 24 early in his rookie season. Banks will fill a very defined role at the next level and could earn his keep on special teams as he gets acclimated to the pro game. A reserve weak-side linebacker that special teams coordinator Dave Toub will like in round seven, though? That's a win.
Round 7, Pick 250: Brandon Hill (S, Pittsburgh)
In three seasons with Pittsburgh, Brandon Hill recorded 162 tackles, had eight passes broken up and logged a trio of forced fumbles and interceptions each. He also ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash with great shuttle and three-cone times pre-draft, which solidified his standing among draftable safeties. He's undersized but is still someone who should do well on special teams at the very least, having a bit of ceiling as a defensive back with good athleticism and a competitive nature that also provides him with a clear floor.
