Expert Analysis
4/30/23
3 min read
Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft Grades 2023: Rashee Rice Adds to Dynamic Offense
The 2023 NFL Draft is complete, and the Kansas City Chiefs made seven selections.
The Chiefs are looking to be the first team since the 2003-04 New England Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl champion. The team still has its MVP quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and its future Hall of Fame tight end, Travis Kelce, but it'll need help from these seven players to win the Super Bowl again.
Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft Grades
31. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
Felix Anudike-Uzomah brings an interesting dynamic to the Kansas City defense. He has bend and explosiveness off the ball and has a nose for the quarterback. The Chiefs' scouting department did their homework. He was hampered by injuries this year and did not show what he was capable of doing this past season. In 2021, he had much better film when totally healthy. He has tons of upside and should be a better pro player than collegiate player. He will get to the quarterback and make an impact early.
Grade: B
55. Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Rashee Rice is an outside wide receiver with good speed and big-play ability. He does a nice job of changing speeds in his routes and is good with the ball in his hands. He comes with ball security issues and will have some concentration drops.
Grade: B+
92. Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
Wanya Morris has the position flexibility to play guard or tackle. He has good overall movement skills and bend for his size. He is tough but needs to gain some added strength to control people in the run game. Pro coaching will help him clean up his technique.
Grade: B+
119. Chamarri Conner, CB, Virginia Tech
Chamarri Conner is a good-sized corner who has some explosiveness. He has played safety and in the slot with four career interceptions. He could potentially compete for a safety spot in Kansas City.
Grade: C
166. BJ Thompson, Edge, Stephen F. Austin State
BJ Thompson is a tall, long player who needs to gain strength, which he can do in an NFL building. He had five sacks and three forced fumbles last season. He does have some raw ability, and NFL coaching should help him.
Grade: B-
194. Keondre Coburn, DL, Texas
The Chiefs bolstered their run defense by drafting Keondre Coburn, who is a prototypical space eater. The Chiefs lost Khalen Saunders in free agency this offseason, Coburn could help fill Saunders' role in 2023.
Grade: C+
250. Nic Jones, CB, Ball State
Nic Jones looks like a Chiefs corner. He is feisty in press coverage. Jones is not a clean, finished product but has some unteachable tools and talent. He may take some time to develop, but the Chiefs showed what they could do with some raw rookies last season.
Grade: B+
