Kansas City Chiefs All-Defense 2023 NFL Mock Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs will enter the 2023 NFL Draft with 10 picks, including at least one in every round, with multiple picks in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds. The draft, which is taking place April 27-29 in Kansas City, is a perfect place for general manager Brett Veach to continue retooling the team, keeping KC in championship form.
While the Chiefs still have plenty of positions left to address on offense, this mock draft won't be adding any pieces around Patrick Mahomes. Making the Chiefs' picks through the first four rounds, we'll only be selecting defensive players to see where an all-defense draft would leave the Chiefs.
Seem far-fetched? Let's revisit last year's draft: through the first four rounds, the Chiefs selected five defensive players and just one offensive player, wide receiver Skyy Moore. If KC reloads on defense again this year, this is what it could look like.
Round 1, Pick 31: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State
This 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive end fits defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s prototype. At age 21, Felix Anudike-Uzomah fits general manager Brett Veach’s age profile for a first-round selection. This would be a great match as the Chiefs continue their youth movement along the defensive line. Anudike-Uzomah would be able to be an immediate rotational player with the potential to be a starter sooner rather than later. For a team that is defending a Super Bowl championship, that’s all you can ask for when it comes to the final pick in the first round.
Round 2, Pick 63: Gervon Dexter, DL, Florida
Gervon Dexter is a big dude who has the athleticism to play at the next level but may need to be coached up to reach his full potential. Dexter would give the Chiefs some immediate depth at defensive tackle, and learning from Chris Jones, one of the best in the game, would do a lot for his growth as a player. Meanwhile, defensive line coach Joe Cullen enters his second season with the Chiefs after receiving consistent praise from Jones last season. While Dexter would be a rotational player early in his career, he has the potential to be a starter in due time.
Round 3, Pick 95: Jordan Battle, Safety, Alabama
Jordan Battle has drawn comparisons to a name that should be familiar to Chiefs fans: Justin Reid. It’s always a good idea to add athleticism to the roster and Battle could — wait for it — battle it out for a starting role in his rookie season. He made a name for himself at one of the biggest college football programs in America, playing against the toughest competition in the country week after week. More competition in a young secondary would not be a bad thing. In fact, it would only make the unit stronger.
Round 4, Pick 122: Isaiah McGuire, EDGE, Missouri
Isaiah McGuire is another edge rusher with the size (6-foot-4, 270 pounds) that Spagnuolo loves. He’s a bulldozing power rusher who looks the part of a guy who could make a decade-long career for himself in the NFL. He would be a rotational player early in his career but has the ceiling and potential of a plus-starter. McGuire, like Anudike-Uzomah, is from a local college and would have plenty of fans from day one if drafted into Chiefs Kingdom.
Round 4, Pick 134: Mekhi Garner, Cornerback, LSU
Mekhi Garner has the size (6-foot-2, 212 pounds) to be able to match up with any wide receiver in the NFL. Given his size, he also has the potential to play both cornerback and safety at the next level. Spagnuolo likes his secondary pieces to have versatility, and Garner would certainly fit that mold. Adding Garner to the Chiefs' young secondary would be a good option late in the fourth round.
Could the Chiefs go all-defense?
The Chiefs likely won’t take five consecutive defensive players to start the 2023 NFL Draft, but this is what it could look like if that’s the way Veach decides to go. The Chiefs' offense will always be seen as Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes’ well-oiled machine. The defense, while improving last season, will always be the piece of the puzzle that needs to try and keep up with the offense. Adding more defense through the draft to help retool the team and keeping them young would be a net positive.
Veach and the rest of the scouting staff will be able to go in many different directions with their selections this year. Whether it be defense or offense, hitting on the picks is what truly matters.
