Top 2023 NFL Draft Prospects for Kansas City Chiefs

Draft season is picking up so much speed that the nonstop hype train just might run off the rails by the time Thursday night rolls around. The 2023 NFL Draft is almost here, and the Kansas City Chiefs project to be one of the league's more active teams over the course of the weekend.

Armed with double-digit 2023 draft picks, Kansas City will be able to add to a roster that recently got tremendous contributions from its 2022 rookie class. The Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII win saw several key rookies log important snaps, and there's ample reason to believe that a similar trend could come into play this coming season if general manager Brett Veach succeeds in the draft. This year's crop of high-end talent is interesting, and its depth is a strong point.

In "Foote's Favorites," I will be breaking down some of my most-liked players in this year's draft class at every non-specialist position group. Projected top-of-the-order prospects aren't eligible for the list (for example, Anthony Richardson at quarterback), and team fit is factored into the decision-making process. Let's take a look at a handful of players Kansas City might benefit from adding into the fold in this year's draft.

Offense

Quarterback: Aidan O'Connell (Purdue)

The Chiefs already have Shane Buechele in the fold and recently signed Blaine Gabbert to serve as Patrick Mahomes's backup, so addressing this position is no longer even a tier-three need in this year's draft. With that said, investing in 2024 and beyond with O'Connell might be an interesting play. The 6-foot-3 former Boilermakers standout is an accurate passer with good timing and the ability to layer throws when standing on a firm base. O'Connell's limited high-end arm talent and merely decent mobility might make him a Day 3 pick, which is the only scenario in which Kansas City should consider a quarterback.

Just missed the cut: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA), Clayton Tune (Houston)

Running Back: Chase Brown (Illinois)

One quick look at Brown's Relative Athletic Score (RAS) sheet will make just about anyone's eyes light up. The former all-Big Ten running back has some mileage on him (around 350 total touches last season, is an older prospect) but also possesses a blend of speed, agility and potential that make him a very fun prospect. Brown should be able to contribute in the running game immediately and shows enough promise in both aspects of the passing attack (receiving and blocking) that could endear him to the Chiefs. He projects as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.

Just missed the cut: Tank Bigsby (Auburn), Israel Abanikanda (Pittsburgh)

Wide Receiver: Jonathan Mingo (Mississippi)

In a class of smaller receivers, Mingo stands out for all the right reasons. The nearly 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout is one of the more physically imposing pass-catchers in this draft class and has the ceiling of a true top option for an offense. Mingo's early-career positive traits will be his athleticism, size and ability to win vertically or over the middle of the field. He needs work as a consistent separator and efficient route-runner, but the upside is there. He was one of my favorite prospects early in the draft cycle, and NFL teams have done nothing but catch on over time in a major way. He might be off the board by the Chiefs' second-round pick.

Just missed the cut: Jordan Addison (USC), Marvin Mims (Oklahoma), Parker Washington (Penn State)

Tight End: Tucker Kraft (South Dakota State)

Another fluid athlete with impressive scores from the pre-draft process, Kraft has respectable size and offers unique upside as someone who flat-out attacks when going up for the football. Kraft is a well-rounded tight end who is a quality run blocker and a budding threat in the passing game. Working under future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce will help bring out the best of his route-running arsenal and potentially help him develop over time. Kraft needs refinement before turning into anything more than a tight end No. 2 but on Day 2 of the draft, he'd be an interesting flier with immediate impact pluses.

Just missed the cut: Zack Kuntz (Old Dominion)

Offensive Tackle: Jaelyn Duncan (Maryland)

Someone who has already conducted a top-30 visit with Kansas City, Duncan boasts tremendous upside as a player that could go anywhere on Day 2. A plus athlete who is quick on his feet and doesn't struggle against speed rushers, the downside with Duncan is that he's still light for the position and needs to sit for a bit before potentially blossoming into what he can become. Working with Andy Heck in Kansas City would do wonders for his profile as a starting tackle of the future, and it wouldn't cost the team a first-round offering.

Just missed the cut: Anton Harrison (Oklahoma), Nick Saldiveri (Old Dominion)

Interior Offensive Line: Braeden Daniels (Utah)

Daniels is a dreaded "tweener" along the offensive line, as his length and weight get him crossed between being a passable tackle or an uber-athletic guard prospect. In either event, though, his versatility is a massive plus. He's also a smart player who moves with ease and would be an insanely valuable reserve as early as his rookie season. For a Chiefs team that has put shorter-armed guard-tackle hybrids on the field at times by necessity due to injury, he's a worthy early Day 3 pick as a swing tackle or a priority investment inside at guard.

Just missed the cut: McClendon Curtis (Chattanooga)

Defense

Interior Defensive Line: Zacch Pickens (South Carolina)

In a defensive tackle class that has a multitude of players that could go in rounds three or four, Pickens is one of the more intriguing ones. He tested well in the pre-draft process and flashed the athleticism that makes him a very fun option as a run-stuffing interior defensive lineman with intriguing upside as a pass-rushing threat. That upside is more projection-based than anything else right now but if he's there as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection, Kansas City would be getting a comparable player to Derrick Nnadi and someone who may not need to be taken off the field on all third downs if things break right during his development.

Just missed the cut: Gervon Dexter (Florida), Jaquelin Roy (LSU)

Defensive End: Derick Hall (Auburn)

As with any of its kind, this defensive end class isn't too impressive in terms of high-upside options that will go outside of the top 20-ish picks. With that said, Hall is a very good athlete with measurables that flirt with the low end of a Steve Spagnuolo prototype. Hall plays good run defense and would be able to remain on the field in all situations at his peak, and he also has enough as a pass-rusher right now to make him a rotational player at worst in year one. Hall has to refine his pass-rush toolbox and would benefit from getting a bit looser in his lower body but as a Day 2 prospect, he's completely fine for Kansas City.

Just missed the cut: BJ Ojulari (LSU), Dylan Horton (TCU)

Linebacker: Shaka Heyward (Duke)

The Chiefs don't have an immediate need at linebacker, although the future of that position group could require some additional depth being added to it in this year's draft. Heyward is a fast prospect with an aggressive mindset, making him a good fit in Spagnuolo's scheme. On the other hand, he is still raw from a field-reading standpoint and wouldn't be ready to step into a traditional role for at least another year. That's perfect for Kansas City, though, as he could work with the coaching staff on defense and special teams early before being thrown into the fire late. He's a Day 3 pick.

Just missed the cut: Mohamoud Diabate (Utah)

Cornerback: Kelee Ringo (Georgia)

The first thing that teams will notice about Ringo is his size. Standing at nearly 6-foot-2 and weighing 207 pounds, he'll tower over some opposing receivers and match the physical freaks he'll line up against at the next level. Ringo is a good vertical athlete who should be able to thrive in a deep zone or be asked to handle the league's premier big-bodied downfield threats. Hip stiffness is a valid concern with him, and his first NFL team will have to put him in positions that don't require a ton of shifting in and out or mirroring breaks. Spagnuolo would like Ringo's skill set, though, and he's a worthy pick at the end of Day 1 or early on Day 2.

Just missed the cut: Cam Smith (South Carolina), Clark Phillips III (Utah)

Safety: Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M)

Projected to be a Day 2 pick by many entering the draft, that range is likely too rich for the Chiefs to seriously consider selecting Johnson. To that point, however, a poor showing in the pre-draft process could cause him to slide a bit. He's a Swiss Army knife safety prospect who can function in two-high shells, single-high looks or even in the box with adequate processing and aggressiveness. Johnson's lack of elite agility will limit him moving forward, but his ability to do almost whatever is asked of him makes the Chiefs an ideal fit for his diverse skill set.

Just missed the cut: Ronnie Hickman (Ohio State), Anthony Johnson Jr. (Iowa State)