Chiefs' expert reveals why one rookie will have a huge impact in 2023
The Kansas City Chiefs came out of the 2023 NFL Draft with a great rookie class, so much so that one Chiefs' expert thinks they will receive an immediate boost from a rookie. The Chiefs had 10 draft picks before the draft and turned those into some really good players. As they always do, they […]
The Kansas City Chiefs came out of the 2023 NFL Draft with a great rookie class, so much so that one Chiefs' expert thinks they will receive an immediate boost from a rookie.
The Chiefs had 10 draft picks before the draft and turned those into some really good players. As they always do, they found talent in the early rounds and the later rounds. But now, it's just about developing that talent into impactful players, just like they did last year.
In 2022, they drafted two cornerbacks and a running back on day three that turned out to be starters and make huge plays en route to a Super Bowl win. Now, of course, they drafted two other players on day three that haven't quite panned out yet. That doesn't mean they won't, they just haven't yet.
The Chiefs do this it seems every year, and they do it with the early guys too. Last year it was George Karlaftis, who in a minimal role somehow walked out of 2022 with six sacks. Trent McDuffie was another guy that once he got healthy, was impacting the game on defense. This year, it will likely be Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the edge rusher from Kansas State the Chiefs took at pick 31. One Chiefs expert thinks he will be an immediate impact.
Based on his talent and draft position (first round), defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah has the easiest path in the Chiefs’ draft class to get on the field and contribute early on. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves adding pass rushers in the draft to develop, and Anudike-Uzomah will grow alongside fellow defensive end George Karlaftis, who was selected in the first round of last year’s draft. Anudike-Uzomah could be most effective on third downs when the Chiefs could move to pass rusher Charles Omenihu inside next to superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones. — Nate Taylor, The Athletic
The Chiefs are wanting to build a dynamic dup with Karlaftis and Anudike-Uzomah on the edge. With the combination of strength, bend, and speed the two have, it is more than doable. Now it's just about development.
that elite duo won't happen in year one for FAU either, but that doesn't mean he won't impact the game. The way I see it, he will be in that "EDGE 3" position, or basically what Karlaftis was last year behind Frank Clark and Mike Danna. With Clark gone, Karlaftis will go full-time, or start at least, where Clark was at. FAU will likely come in for Danna at times.
He will come in for obvious passing downs, and he will even play some runs too. But, he will be the guy who makes an impact because of the skillset he is coming into the league with. He has bend, and a lot of it, whereas Karlaftis has strength. That's not to say FAU isn't strong, but his game is more finesse than just pure strength.
With Charles Omenihu adding to the inside game, FAU will be able to take that pressure off of Chris Jones, Omenihu, and Karlaftis. He will get some sacks in 2023. He may not be as productive as Karlaftis was last year, but I don't see a reason why he can't be close in his rookie year.
