NFL Draft Grades - Kansas City Chiefs
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Kansas City Chiefs Upcoming 2023 Draft Picks (10)
Grade: B-
No one should be shocked that the Chiefs selected a pass rusher in the first round. With Joe Burrow and Josh Allen present in the AFC, the Chiefs need to make sure they get as much pressure on the quarterback as possible, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a talented player. I had him in the second frame, but I don't think this is too much of a reach. That said, re-signing him and Geroge Karlaftis is going to be a headache in the future.
Grade: C
I don't understand why these teams are trading up for receivers right now when there are so many talented players at the position still available. Marvin Mims isn't Jalin Hyatt, but he's super fast. This could mean that one of Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy will be traded.
Grade: C+
Jordan Battle is an average prospect who didn't make too many splash plays at Alabama. However, he's a smart safety who could fight for a starting job in the near future. I would have taken him a bit later.
Grade: B
The Cardinals are getting an athletic offensive lineman to help Kyler Murray. The injured quarterback has to be happy about this pick. Jon Gaines has high upside, so this is a good pick in the middle of the fourth frame.
Grade: B
The Vikings have a poor secondary, so they needed to add numerous defensive backs to help their woeful pass defense. Jay Ward moved from cornerback to safety at LSU, which proved to be a smooth transition. He's a sound tackler, and I think he should have gone in this range.
Grade: B-
Adding to the pass rush makes sense, given the high-octane passing attacks in the AFC. B.J. Thompson was a highly productive pass rusher at Stephen F. Austin, but we'll have to see if he can perform better against far superior competition.
Grade: B
Grade: B
The Bengals needed a punter, so they got one in the sixth round, which is fine. It was nice that they waited this long.
Grade: A-
Moro Ojomo is a good prospect, but happens to be a tweener. I thought he would go earlier than this, as I had him in the fifth round, so this is solid value in the seventh round.
Grade: B-
Nic Jones is a high-effort player with very limited upside. I'd rather have someone with more potential here, but Jones can be a very good special teams player.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 6/6/2023 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1
Kansas City Chiefs: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
Andy Reid loves bolstering the trenches. It should surprise no one if he drafts a mauler guard to help improve the blocking.
O'Cyrus Torrence is a huge interior blocker with surprising atleticism.
*** OTHER 2023 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Anton Harrison/Jaelyn Duncan, OTs - Two tackle options, as the Chiefs need to replace a starter.
2. Trade Up - Like the Bills, the Chiefs have a wide-open Super Bowl window, so they could pull the trigger on a trade for a top-four receiver.
Round: 2
Kansas City Chiefs: B.J. Ojulari, DE, LSU
The Chiefs want another edge rusher to pair with George Karlaftis for the long haul.
B.J. Ojulari did a great job of taking over for the injured Ali Gaye in 2021.
Round: 3
Kansas City Chiefs: Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Receiver is a big need for the Chiefs, who lost JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason.
Round: 4
Kansas City Chiefs: Amari Burney, ILB, Florida
It seems as though the Chiefs are always searching for linebacker help, and this offseason is no exception.
Amari Burney has excellent coverage skills.
Round: 4
Kansas City Chiefs: Jaren Hall, QB, BYU
Chad Henne is gone, so the Chiefs may feel the need to find a new developmental quarterback.
Jaren Hall is a rushing threat who has a quality arm.
Round: 5
Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Proctor, S, Ohio State
The Chiefs lost Juan Thornhill this offseason, so they'll need a new safety.
Josh Proctor missed most of the '21 season with a fractured leg, but has great ability.
Round: 6
Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Kentucky
The Chiefs could draft a running back to pair with Isiah Pacheco.
Chris Rodriguez is a power back who gets nice yards after contact.
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Round: 6
Kansas City Chiefs: Jadon Haselwood, WR, Arkansas
The Chiefs need to add a couple of receivers, given the lack of star talent they have at the position.
Jadon Haselwood has flashed at times in college, but hasn't been consistent.
Round: 7
Kansas City Chiefs: Desjuan Johnson, DE, Toledo
Andy Reid loves bolstering the trenches, so I don't see why he would devitate from that strategy.
Round: 7
Kansas City Chiefs: Truman Jones, DE, Harvard
Again, the pass rush is a huge deal for the Chiefs, so they need to add as much help as possible.
Past Grades and Selections
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B- No one should be shocked that the Chiefs selected a pass rusher in the first round. With Joe Burrow and Josh Allen present in the AFC, the Chiefs need to make sure they get as much pressure on the quarterback as possible, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a talented player. I had him in the second frame, but I don't think this is too much of a reach. That said, re-signing him and Geroge Karlaftis is going to be a headache in the future.
C I don't understand why these teams are trading up for receivers right now when there are so many talented players at the position still available. Marvin Mims isn't Jalin Hyatt, but he's super fast. This could mean that one of Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy will be traded.
C+ Jordan Battle is an average prospect who didn't make too many splash plays at Alabama. However, he's a smart safety who could fight for a starting job in the near future. I would have taken him a bit later.
B The Cardinals are getting an athletic offensive lineman to help Kyler Murray. The injured quarterback has to be happy about this pick. Jon Gaines has high upside, so this is a good pick in the middle of the fourth frame.
B The Vikings have a poor secondary, so they needed to add numerous defensive backs to help their woeful pass defense. Jay Ward moved from cornerback to safety at LSU, which proved to be a smooth transition. He's a sound tackler, and I think he should have gone in this range.
B- Adding to the pass rush makes sense, given the high-octane passing attacks in the AFC. B.J. Thompson was a highly productive pass rusher at Stephen F. Austin, but we'll have to see if he can perform better against far superior competition.
B
B The Bengals needed a punter, so they got one in the sixth round, which is fine. It was nice that they waited this long.
A- Moro Ojomo is a good prospect, but happens to be a tweener. I thought he would go earlier than this, as I had him in the fifth round, so this is solid value in the seventh round.
B- Nic Jones is a high-effort player with very limited upside. I'd rather have someone with more potential here, but Jones can be a very good special teams player.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A Grade
I imagine the Chiefs were shocked that Trent McDuffie was available. They didn't need to leap the Packers necessarily, but going ahead of Baltimore was essential. I love this pick, as Kansas City had to fill a huge hole at cornerback, and McDuffie is arguably the best player available after Jermaine Johnson. The Chiefs moved up to get McDuffie, but with 12 picks, they almost had to do so.
A Grade
I'm mad about the Bengals not getting George Karlaftis, but the Chiefs are making a great value pick. Karlaftis has the talent to be a top-15 pick. I'm not sure why he fell - the upside isn't huge, I suppose - but the Chiefs won't complain. He'll fill a huge need for Kansas City's poor edge rush.
A Grade
I saw that some had Skyy Moore in the first round. That was a bit rich to me, save for one update when I was stuck on Tennessee's pick, but Moore seemed destined to go in the top half of the second round. This is good value for him, and he obviously fills a need vacated by Tyreek Hill in the trade with Miami. I love this pick, especially because the Chiefs traded down to take Moore.
C Grade
I'm not a huge fan of this pick. Bryan Cook is an instinctive safety, so he should be able to play right away and fill in for Tyrann Mathieu, but I think this is a bit rich for him. I had him late three/early four. This isn't a huge reach, but the Chiefs could have done better.
B Grade
Leo Chenal makes sense at the end of the third round. He's a two-down run defender who will struggle in coverage, but the Chiefs won't have to put him in that situation. Kansas City's run defense should improve with Chenal No. 3 on the field.
A Grade
I'm a big fan of this pick for the Chiefs. They really needed to shore up their ailing secondary, so another defensive back pick makes sense. Joshua Williams is someone I had mocked in the third round on some occasions, so I love this value.
A+ Grade
Two A+ grades to begin Round 5! Darian Kinnard has good athleticism for a big offensive lineman, so I thought he'd go in the third round. This is great value, though it's worth noting that there are injury concerns. Still, there's barely any risk in Round 5.
B Grade
The Packers were looking for a monstrous nose tackle to help them stop the run, and Jonathan Ford will definitely help in that regard. He makes sense at this selection in the seventh frame.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B Grade
Nick Bolton is an instinctive linebacker, but has some limitations in coverage. Still, this is a fine pick, as I've had Bolton slated around this area for most of the pre-draft process. He could fill a huge need in Kansas City's poor linebacking corps.
A Grade
Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, yet he couldn't win behind his dreadful offensive line last year. The Chiefs needed to make wholesale changes up front. They added talent at tackle and guard, but center remained a weakness - until now. I had Creed Humphrey a bit earlier than this spot, so I love this pick.
B Grade
The Chiefs lost Sammy Watkins in free agency, so they'll need a receiver to compete with the disappointing Mecole Hardman. Cornell Powell is someone who bounced around Day 3 of my mock draft updates, so the value is fine.
B+ Grade
Jonathan Marshall is an explosive athlete for a player at his position. The Jets needed some defensive tackle depth, and they're getting a high-upside player in Round 6, which is par for the course of Joe Douglas' drafting.