While it feels like most of the action happened at the 2023 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs draft class may not even be half done. To complement their existing three picks — defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, wide receiver Rashee Rice, and offensive tackle Wanya Morris — the Chiefs have five picks available on Day 3.
In terms of needs, the team should really look at the inside of their line of defense—but beyond that, there are some freedoms. There are several scenarios in which the Chiefs could attempt to take the “best player available.”
Here are five prospects Kansas City might intrigue.
Keondre Coburn, defensive tackle, Texas
If it’s true that the Chiefs tried to trade in the first round to secure Michigan nose tackle Mazi Smith, then the team probably still wants to address the inside of the defensive line.
Colburn is a pure nose tackle. At 6ft 2 and 332 pounds, he is one of the heaviest in his position in this class. He’s got a wide frame that allows him to eat up space – but he also has a punch to shake up offensive linemen. His powerful build allows him to gobble up double teams, but he also has short arms that can make it harder to drop blocks.
He’s actually a pretty similar player to Kansas City’s Derrick Nnadi, who he would be fighting for the nose tackle starting spot.
Andrei Iosivas, wide receiver, Princeton
On Day 2, the Chiefs secured a wide receiver who can win against press coverage, play through physical coverage, and make hard catches from midfield or in traffic.
If they want to double down on position, it would make sense to track a speed threat with impressive vertical ability. Iosivas fits this bill. He has a tall frame – 6ft 3 and 205 pounds – and good athletic test results: a 4.43 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-8 long jump.
If you watch him, it’s clear that his calling card poses a major threat: pushing the top of defensive covers and winning at the catch point. During the 2022 season, four of his seven touchdowns came from throws of 20 or more yards down.
He could be the team’s future big threat – and in the meantime, he could be a contributor on special teams.
Sean Tucker running back, Syracuse
If the Chiefs want their annual swipe at a player far more talented than his draft stock suggests, this Syracuse running back might be the guy.
Heading into 2022, Tucker was considered one of the best running backs in the 2023 class. Over three seasons, Tucker had cumulatively rushed for 3,804 yards and 31 touchdowns. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry but also caught 64 passes.
He’s an efficient runner who reads the flow of a box well. He can cut back effectively in zoning schemes – and when he’s there, he has the explosive power to smash through a vertical seam. He also looks like a confident, soft-handed recipient.
But at the NFL Combine, Tucker was flagged with a medical issue that prevented him from training in Indianapolis or on his Pro Day. It could bring him down – but if the Chiefs are happy with his physical condition, they could get a really exciting addition in Isiah Pacheco.
Jay Ward, Defense Attorney, LSU
While the Chiefs’ defensive backfield isn’t desperate for bodies, it’s still important to continue adding players to secondary; you can never have enough cornerbacks or safeties.
In Ward they could have a bit of both. He’s considered safety by most analysts — but he’s had 408 college snaps as an outside cornerback. He doesn’t have an ideal physique for an NFL safety — he weighs just 188 pounds — but he does have a solid arm length (32 1⁄2 inches) that allows him to be physical at the start of a route in press coverage.
He has the profile of a cornerback – sometimes showing good things in all-man marking – but also has the competitiveness of a safety man and a willingness to attack down the hill. Either way, he fits into Kansas City’s defensive backfield.
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