Kansas City Chiefs All-Offense 2023 Mock Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs will continue retooling their roster to remain championship contenders for the near future, and the 2023 NFL Draft will be the perfect time for general manager Brett Veach to capitalize on some young, cheap talent. Veach has been successful in the last two drafts and will look to continue building momentum again this year.
Taking a look at the first four rounds, using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator, we wanted to see how things might shake out if the Chiefs only took offensive players in the first half of the draft. Here’s how things could shake out.
Round 1, Pick 31: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma
Anton Harrison was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Sooners and is a former teammate of current Kansas City Chief offensive lineman Creed Humphrey. The Chiefs seem to have interest in Harrison, who was in town for a top-30 visit this past week and he fits Veach’s first-round prototype at age 21. The team decided not to extend Orlando Brown Jr. and has since added Jaguars tackle Jawaan Taylor, who has played right tackle his whole NFL career.
The Chiefs have said they want Taylor to play left tackle and paid him handsomely to do so, but Harrison could give the Chiefs multiple options to protect their franchise quarterback. They could also start him at right tackle if they feel Taylor is worthy of the left tackle job. It would certainly make fans feel more comfortable going into next season knowing there is more depth to protect Patrick Mahomes.
Round 2, Pick 63: Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
This 6’3”, 215-pound wide receiver would make an immediate impact in a Chiefs uniform. Cedric Tillman was a very productive receiver at Tennessee and had played his best games in the biggest moments against the highest-quality opponents. In 2021, he had 17 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns when playing against Alabama and Georgia. Tillman is a physical receiver who isn’t afraid to make the contested catch over the middle or make big blocks on the outside. He tracks deep passes well, possesses great body control, and has top-tier ball skills.
Tillman suffered a high-ankle sprain during the third game of the 2022 season and never quite made it back to 100% health but showed toughness by playing through it late in the season. If not for the injury, and if he’d duplicated his 2021 success (1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns) then he’d be viewed more as a first-round talent. Tillman could be a steal at the end of the second round.
Round 3, Pick 95: Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Kayshon Boutte showed flashes of brilliance during his first two seasons at LSU before having a very inconsistent junior season in 2022. He set an SEC record with 308 receiving yards against Ole Miss during his freshman season, scoring five touchdowns in five starts as well. He has good size and while he didn’t run the fastest 40-yard dash, he does have a decent second gear and is a playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Boutte would most definitely be utilized to his fullest potential under the direction Andy Reid. Taking wide receivers with back-to-back picks would be an aggressive move for Veach, but would set the Chiefs up for long-term success with more playmakers in the mix.
Round 4, Pick 122: Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
Yes, we are taking another tackle from Oklahoma with this fourth-round selection. Wanya Morris is a big man (6’5”, 318 pounds) with 35 ¼ inch arms. He was the starting right tackle for the Sooners but has experience playing at both tackle positions, which is always a bonus at the next level. He’s a better pass blocker than run blocker but will have time to work through things as he likely won’t be expected to be a starter in year one. Morris would be a nice piece to give the Chiefs even more depth along the offensive line.
Round 4, Pick 134: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
I went back and forth between taking a tight end or running back with this pick, and Deuce Vaughn ended up being the highest-rated player on the board left between those two. His size (5’5”, 176 pounds) and playmaking ability remind a lot of people of another former Kansas State Wildcat: Darren Sproles. He isn’t as fast as Sproles but has the vision and hands to be able to make plays as both a running back and receiver out of the backfield. Vaughn could be a problem for defenders in space.
With the writing on the wall for former first-round running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Vaughn could be the type of running back the Chiefs had envisioned Edwards-Helaire would be when they made that selection. At this point, Isiah Pacheco is the starter going forward and other running backs will mix in when called upon. Vaughn was a workhorse in college, but wouldn’t need to do nearly as much at the next level. He also has experience on special teams and could return kicks if necessary.
The Chiefs already had the best offense in the NFL last season, but adding more protection for Mahomes and playmakers at skill positions would make this team even more dangerous. Can you imagine the best offense, on the best team, getting even better heading into a 2023 championship-defending season? Maybe Veach and company can make that come true.
