Chiefs NFL Draft big board 3.0: Pass rushers, WRs and OTs fill early targets list

Chiefs NFL Draft big board 3.0: Pass rushers, WRs and OTs fill early targets list
By Nate Taylor
Apr 20, 2023

A week before this year’s NFL Draft, a portion of downtown Kansas City is going through a transformation. A mini-renovation of Union Station, which will serve as the stage for the draft, will welcome thousands of fans eager to see where prospects will start their professional football careers. Just about every block in the city will host a party in honor of the draft, and many of the fans who travel to the event will see the city’s new airport.

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However, every key non-player member of the Chiefs — including club owner Clark Hunt, general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid — will be away from the buzz, the hoopla, the energetic bustle. Instead, that trio of men will be at the team’s training facility during the draft, hoping to recreate the success they had last year, when a majority of the 10 players they selected in the event helped the Chiefs become Super Bowl LVII champions.

The Chiefs have 10 selections in the seven-round draft. With 65 players on their roster, the Chiefs, similar to last year, are entering the draft with three major positional needs they likely will look to address: defensive end, right tackle and wide receiver.

Earlier this week, Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, released his seven-round mock draft, a comprehensive induction of how this year’s prospects are evaluated based on their grades from his annual draft guide, known as “The Beast,” and how the league’s 32 teams may prioritize certain prospects based on their roster needs.

Once again, using Brugler’s rankings, we present a few prospects who could be available at each of the Chiefs’ picks. Our exercise last year included two prospects who were eventually selected by the Chiefs: defensive George Karlaftis and cornerback Joshua Williams. Many of the prospects below fit one of the Chiefs’ positional needs and would have a specific role within the team’s scheme during their upcoming rookie season. Here’s our projection at what the Chiefs’ wish list could look like:

Trade-up targets in first round

A year ago, the Chiefs were a logical candidate to execute a trade to move up in the first round. The main reason was because the Chiefs possessed two first-round selections, the 29th and 30th picks. The Chiefs have just the 31st pick in this year’s draft and the possibility of Veach, who is known for his aggressiveness, executing a trade appears low.

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But each year’s draft tends to include a surprising twist or two in the first round. If the Chiefs do move up a few spots, perhaps one way they could do it is by sending a future 2024 pick to the team agreeing to a trade. Two potential teams who could be interested in trading with the Chiefs are the Baltimore Ravens (at pick No. 22) and the Minnesota Vikings (No. 23) because both teams are entering the draft with just five picks.

Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee (6-foot-5, 333 pounds)

The lone starting job not solidified on the offensive line is at right tackle. The projected starter at the moment is Lucas Niang, the third-round pick in 2020 who lost his starting role in January 2022 after suffering a torn left patellar tendon. The Chiefs want to have competition at the spot during training camp, and protecting superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is Veach’s and Reid’s top priority. Wright could slide a bit and still be available late in the first round.

As a senior, Wright moved to right tackle and was impressive, including a stellar performance against Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., a projected top-five pick. Wright sometimes sacrifices his technique for his nasty play style, but Chiefs starting right guard Trey Smith had a similar scouting report and has corrected that. Wright could follow Smith by developing in a similar manner under offensive line coach Andy Heck.

Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College (5-9, 182)

The Chiefs have made it clear that they value Flowers as one of the best options at receiver. On Wednesday, Flowers spent time in Fort Worth, Texas, to go through a passing session with Mahomes and many of the Chiefs’ skill-position players, a request the team made Tuesday to finish their final pre-draft preparations. A smooth route runner, Flowers could be a starter in his second season. He has the ability to win one-on-one matchups both from the perimeter and in the slot, and last season he tied for fifth in the FBS with 12 receiving touchdowns.

Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan (6-3, 323)

Among the defensive prospects in this class, Smith has risen the most in my pre-draft evaluations. That’s because many NFL teams value his talent. As the No. 1 player on Bruce Feldman’s 2022 Freaks List, Smith has a rare combination of power and athleticism. Brugler has described Smith as an immovable object in the run game, a defender with heavy hands and enough upper-body strength to toss massive guards. An “immovable” defensive tackle would be a great fit next to superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones, the league’s best interior pass rusher.

Round 1, pick 31

Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech (6-5, 285)

In his latest mock draft, Brugler had the Chiefs selecting White. An argument can be made that White could be the best pure athlete available if the Chiefs don’t trade up in the first round. He is likely a two-year project since he is still new to the position. As Brugler points out in his mock, White will be one of 17 prospects who will be attending the draft, so Chiefs fans could meet their newest pass rusher in person next Thursday night. White was a tight end at Old Dominion before switching positions and leading the Yellow Jackets with 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season.

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Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU (6-3, 208)

Similar to Flowers, Johnston worked out with Mahomes and the Chiefs receivers earlier this month inside TCU’s indoor facility. The Chiefs already have two young skill-position players who are known for breaking tackles, receiver Kadarius Toney and running back Isiah Pacheco, and Johnston could give their offense another player who can create yards in the middle of the field. With his impressive combination of size and speed, Johnston has the potential to be an excellent all-around receiver.

BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU (6-2, 248)

Selecting Ojulari could benefit the Chiefs in the second half of the 2023 season if 14-year veteran Carlos Dunlap, a free agent, doesn’t return. The most interesting trait from Ojulari is how bendy he is when rushing opposing quarterbacks. He is quick at the snap and known for his “ghost” move to overwhelm opposing tackles. Ojulari would be a nice player to develop alongside Karlaftis, too.

Round 2, pick 63

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State (6-3, 255)

With his hometown being Kansas City, many fans will be excited if Anudike-Uzomah joins the Chiefs. Anudike-Uzomah’s quickness is noticeable, and the local product’s pass-rushing skills would make him a capable defender for the Chiefs in a rotational role.

Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma (6-4, 315)

Harrison has the talent and history of durability to be one of the best tackles in this year’s class. He started all 12 regular-season games at Oklahoma and played the final 11 at left tackle, earning All-Big 12 first-team honors. Harrison has excellent footwork, and his second effort in pass protection is also impressive. He could start his career at right tackle to fit the Chiefs’ needs.

Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati (5-10, 177)

With true speed (4.3-second 40-yard dash at his pro day), Scott is a deep threat who could be a valuable pick in the second or third round. If everything goes well for Scott, Brugler said he could be viewed as one of the steals of this class in three years.

Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State (6-8, 374)

Jones is a massive right tackle with rare length. His athleticism, though, is a bit limited. Most opposing edge rushers will have to defeat Jones with quickness and speed instead of power.

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (6-7, 264)

Considered an ascending prospect, Washington is talented enough for the Chiefs to consider even with the team already having four quality tight ends in superstar Travis Kelce, Jody Fortson, Noah Gray and Blake Bell. Washington is a capable blocker and could become an above-average pass catcher.

Round 3, pick 95

Zach Harrison, Edge, Ohio State (6-5, 274)

With plenty of speed and power, Harrison seems to have a special skill when he hits the quarterback, as he recorded two strip sacks last season that resulted in touchdowns.

Tuli Tuipulotu, DT, USC (6-3, 266)

If the Chiefs miss on acquiring Mazi Smith, the next best option for that type of player appears to be Tuipulotu. Some scouts project Tuipulotu to be a player on the edge, so his versatility should be a bonus trait for the Chiefs. In 14 games last season, Tuipulotu led the nation with 13.5 sacks while producing 22 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M (6-2, 198)

Johnson loves sprinting downhill to make a significant tackle and is an effective blitzer. The question is whether he can improve in pass coverage. With former starter Juan Thornhill signing with the Cleveland Browns in free agency, the Chiefs have a hole to fill at safety.

Rashee Rice, WR, SMU (6-1, 204)

The Chiefs brought Rice to their facility for a pre-draft visit. He has a nice blend of speed, reliable hands and quality route running. The major question is if he can become more consistent with his opportunities and targets.

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Byron Young, DT, Alabama (6-2, 250)

Young shoots through the gap really well, yet he also showed plenty of patience and intelligence when combatting run-pass option plays.

Round 4, picks 122 and 134

JL Skinner, S, Boise State (6-4, 209)

Skinner can be a thumper in the middle of the field. He needs to develop his pass coverage skills, but his playing style is tenacious, which was showcased at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t participate in the drills at the combine because of a torn pectoral muscle, which could explain why he might be available in the fourth round or later.

A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest (6-3, 198)

Based on his size, Perry projects to be a quality possession receiver who can be most effective in the red zone.

Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State (6-2, 203)

On film, the best parts of Hutchinson’s skill set are his smooth routes and ability to make contested catches in the middle of the field.

Round 5, pick 166; and Round 6, picks 178 and 217

Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse (5-9, 207)

The Chiefs have yet to re-sign veteran Jerick McKinnon, which could happen later during the summer. Along with Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the team could use another running back on the roster. Tucker, though, didn’t participate in the league’s annual scouting combine after sustaining what he described as a “medical exclusion.”

“The medical question marks might drop Tucker on draft weekend — how far is anyone’s guess,” Brugler said of Tucker in his mock draft. “But the value at this point in the draft (with the 178th pick) would make him well worth the risk for the Chiefs.”

Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame (6-0, 202)

Joseph ranks as the 93rd prospect on The Athletic’s Consensus big board. Last season, he recorded one interception, one forced fumble and 30 tackles. Another impressive trait for Joseph is that he is more than capable with the ball in his hands. He returned his interception for a touchdown and showed strong skills as a returner early in his college career at Northwestern.

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Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford (6-0, 191)

Kelly had a strong week at the Senior Bowl. The Chiefs are known for developing cornerbacks in the middle and late rounds. Kelly had six pass breakups last year and could be a contributor on special teams while developing behind cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson.

Round 7, picks 249 and 250

Blake Whiteheart, TE, Wake Forest (6-4, 247)

Whiteheart is not as athletic as Noah Gray, but his production in college is somewhat similar, so he could be a capable blocker for the Chiefs in a backup role.

Nic Jones, CB, Ball State (6-0, 189)

Jones is just the type of prototypical press-man coverage cornerback the Chiefs love to develop.

Justin Shorter, WR, Florida (6-4, 229)

Shorter is another option for a possession receiver.

​​Hunter Luepke, FB, North Dakota State (6-1, 230)

The Chiefs don’t have a fullback on their roster. The expectation for Luepke, if he performs well in training camp and the preseason, is that he might have an outside chance to earn a roster spot instead of starting his career on the practice squad, which is the usual path for players taken in the draft’s final round.

(Photo of Keion White: Robin Alam / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Nate Taylor

Nate Taylor has been a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Kansas City Chiefs since 2018. Before that, he covered the Indiana Pacers at The Indianapolis Star for two years. He has also been a sports features writer for The New York Times and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A Kansas City native, he graduated from the University of Central Missouri. Follow Nate on Twitter @ByNateTaylor