Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive lineman Keondre Coburn (DL05) participates in the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Keondre Coburn: The 2023 KC Chiefs Draft Pick No One is Talking About
Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs' draft class was an absolute home run. There were multiple Week 1 starters and many other vital pieces. This year, the story may look a little different. Not because of the class quality — we don't know that yet because rookies haven't played a game — but instead due to the stability across the roster. First-year players won't have many opportunities to start. However, there is one who could be that Week 1 starter, and he is currently getting minimal buzz.
Keondre Coburn was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Coming out of Texas, Coburn is a true nose tackle who excels at stopping the run but also has pass-rush juice in his arsenal. With Derrick Nnadi on the decline and being the only other nose tackle that has played snaps in Kansas City, the former Longhorn is in a prime position to start on the first defensive snap of the season.
Coburn is a massive human being. His frame stands out every time he touches the field, as he has the prototypical build of a space-eater. He does an excellent job using that squatty build and natural leverage to his advantage. He'll anchor his weight not to allow blockers to affect him. His balance is exceptional, keeping him upright through traffic. The new draft pick also understands how to use his weight to his advantage, leaning on opposing offensive linemen and wearing them down through games. He also possesses heavy hands that he combines with the leverage to become a pocket-crusher in the passing game.
Currently, Coburn has limited pass-rush ability which limits him to being an early-down rotational nose tackle. He'll need to use his power and leverage better when rushing the passer to maximize his role in the NFL but he has the get-off, lateral mobility and good enough general athleticism to unlock some pass-rush upside in the future. Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen must work with Coburn on using his hands more efficiently. They will sometimes get wild, causing his plan to be out of control and sometimes even overrun plays.
Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Keondre Coburn (99) reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Pairing Coburn with Chris Jones and the entire defensive line should create favorable matchups across the front, especially in the run game. The rookie rarely gets moved by a single block; it usually takes two offensive linemen to push him off his spot. That will open up one-on-one matchups for the other defensive linemen on the Chiefs' front. Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and the rest will fall in love with playing next to Coburn after seeing what he can do for them.
Not only will Coburn help the front line of the Chiefs' defense, but his presence will make the linebackers' jobs easier. Instead of having a free lineman coming to hit them, Coburn will make himself known, allowing linebackers like Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill and Willie Gay to scrape over the top and make plays on opposing ball-carriers. The run defense suffered last year because of the lack of a stout force in the middle of the defensive line. The sixth-rounder should bring that for the Chiefs' defense in his 330-plus-pound frame.
Coburn is an excellent addition to Kansas City. Steve Spagnuolo's defensive front is built on stopping the run first, and that's precisely Coburn's game. His ability to be a space-eater on first and second downs will improve the Chiefs' young defense. Teams would be forced to double him on run downs, giving other defensive linemen more favorable matchups and potentially increasing negative plays. If Coburn can learn to maximize his leverage and power in the passing game, his role will only increase and become a more pivotal piece for their defense the further he gets in his career.
