KC Chiefs 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

A fresh look at who analysts are projecting will become a Kansas City Chief at pick No. 31.

With the 2023 NFL Draft being just over a week away as of the publishing of this article, the Kansas City Chiefs will soon be tasked with putting their 10 available selections to good use.

An offseason ago, general manager Brett Veach invested in a rookie class that ended up playing a major role in the team's Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. With a good balance of offensive and defensive talent in the fold but more work still left to do, Kansas City must continue to add high-floor and high-upside youth to the roster in order to keep playing championship-level football. The 2023 draft class presents an opportunity for that to take place. 

Who are mock draft analysts from around the country projecting will become Chiefs at the end of the first round? Let's find out in Mock Draft Roundup 5.0.

All mocks are updated as of April 18.

Pro Football Network: Dawand Jones (OT, Ohio State)

In Cam Mellor's seven-round mock for Pro Football Network, he sends Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones to Kansas City. Jones has appeared in the Arrowhead Report Chiefs Mock Draft Roundup series more than just about any other player, as the gigantic offensive tackle is a solid fit on the right side of Andy Reid's offensive line despite some concerns about his range and aggressiveness. With this selection, the Chiefs would almost surely be opening the door for Jones to compete with the likes of Lucas Niang for a starting spot immediately. Here's more from Mellor on the pick: 

The choice of Dawand Jones was made for the Chiefs when the 49ers traded into the first round and grabbed Darnell Wright. However, there is an argument between the two at right tackle, and Jones made great strides as a blocker in 2022, rounding out his game into being more than just a massive man on the outside.

NFL.com: Quentin Johnston (WR, TCU)

In one of the more anticipated mocks of the cycle, Peter Schrager's mock 1.0 is based on what he's hearing from sources around the league. The projection contains a handful of surprises, and one of them could be TCU wideout Quentin Johnston being available for the Chiefs at the end of the first round. Johnston is a dynamic receiver with a tremendous vertical profile and high upside as a yards-after-catch threat. He'd be a great pick, and Schrager makes that happen with his reasoning below: 

The Chiefs made it work with what they had at wideout last year and envision big production from some young pass catchers going forward. But if Johnston's still available at No. 31, I could see Brett Veach pouncing on a big, physical wideout with moves.

ESPN: Will McDonald IV (EDGE, Iowa State)

In the latest ESPN Insider mock draft, Todd McShay and Mel Kiper alternate selections playing the role of an NFL general manager in their three-round mock. Kiper, in charge of the Chiefs' pick, opts for Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald. Despite him not fitting what Steve Spagnuolo typically goes for at the defensive end position, McDonald has been a somewhat popular name in Chiefs mock drafts. Kiper throws the preferences aside and projects the selection as a "best prospect available" situation:

Here's another team that can afford to take the best prospect available. The Chiefs selected defensive end George Karlaftis in Round 1 last year, and you can think of McDonald as complement to Karlaftis' skill set. McDonald is a speed rusher who will wreck offensive tackles in pass situations.

Pro Football Focus: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE, Kansas State)

Arjun Menon and Brad Spielberger took on a PFF analytics mock draft recently, and they project the Chiefs will land a local prospect who's a popular name at pick No. 31. Felix Anudike-Uzomah offers a bit more of a speed-rusher profile than Kansas City has normally opted to deploy along the defensive front, but he also has a high motor and competence in the run game that gives him a relatively high floor. He should be able to play as both a base and late-down defensive end in due time and while his profile is more of the early Day Two variety, the talent drop-off after the top 20 prospects or so makes this a fine selection. More from PFF:

The Chiefs coming off a Super Bowl do have some holes to fill on the roster. They need to find a tackle to replace Andrew Wylie and a receiver to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman leaving in free agency. However, they could still use another edge rusher behind George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu. Given that the drop-off in finding a starting edge rusher in Round 1 versus other rounds is significant, getting one with a top-50 pick is important and would allow the Chiefs to build depth at a premium position.

CBS Sports: Anton Harrison (OT, Oklahoma)

In Ryan Wilson's seven-round NFL mock draft, he has the Chiefs selecting Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison at 31st overall. Harrison is widely regarded as one of the better tackle prospects in this year's class, having a height/weight/length combo and profile as a mover that offers a fun NFL ceiling. He's got everything Kansas City would want in a prospect at the position and could be a day-one starter if needed. Wilson explains the pick below:

There was some thought that Harrison might return to Oklahoma for an NIL deal that was too good to pass up but he's instead opted for the NFL. He's one of the top tackles in the class and now the question is whether he finds his way into Round 1 or goes early on Day 2.

Yahoo Sports: Harrison

Charles McDonald's mock 7.0 also has the Chiefs selecting Harrison, although he doesn't list a breakdown following the pick. 

The Athletic: Keion White (EDGE, Georgia Tech)

One of the most respected draft analysts out there, Dane Brugler of The Athletic published a seven-round mock draft that has the Chiefs going with Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White at 31. White's size profile fits what the Chiefs like and projects to be a good linear athlete with quality power, but his lack of fluidity, agility and bend raises serious questions about his profile on Day One. White is old for a prospect and still has a ways to go before maxing out a high-end ceiling, and it's unclear whether he has that to begin with. Nonetheless, Brugler notes that White could rank highly for the Chiefs:

The Chiefs will be examining their pass-rush options early, and White will be near the top of their list. The NFL announced that White is one of 17 prospects who will be attending this year’s draft, and he’s the last of those 17 to appear in this mock. With the draft being held in Kansas City, though, it would make for good TV to have the Chiefs’ selection already in town.