Former Chiefs first-round draft pick played up to his potential during the Week 3 win vs. Falcons
Kansas City Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah had high expectations that he didn't exactly meet coming into the NFL in 2023. In his second season in the league, the 22-year-old is already proving he can play up to his potential as a former first-round draft pick. As Steve Spagnuolo said over the summer, things were new for Anudike-Uzomah […]
Kansas City Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah had high expectations that he didn't exactly meet coming into the NFL in 2023.
In his second season in the league, the 22-year-old is already proving he can play up to his potential as a former first-round draft pick. As Steve Spagnuolo said over the summer, things were new for Anudike-Uzomah last year. He was thinking too much on the field, which impacted his ability to react and play quickly.
With each passing game in 2024, Anudike-Uzomah is seemingly getting comfortable with his role and responsibilities on defense. Something finally seemed to click for him in Week 3 against the Falcons because, with just 14 total defensive snaps, he impacted the game in ways he hadn't before.
He first began to flash in the second quarter, making some plays that might have gone unnoticed. Anudike-Uzomah recorded a pressure with about nine minutes to go until halftime while working against LT Jake Matthews. It was a first-down throw, and Anudike-Uzomah hurried Cousins after beating Matthews with a move that Tamba Hali would be proud of.
Just a few plays later on the same drive, Anudike-Uzomah set a hard edge on a first-down running play. It forced Falcons RB Bijan Robinson back inside to a waiting duo of Tershawn Wharton and Chris Jones who combined for no-gain tackle. The play won't show up in the stat sheet, but that's exactly how they want to play the outside run game.
Anudike-Uzomah only had five pass-rushing snaps on Sunday, but he certainly made them count. His next play accounted for the first full sack of his NFL career. Steve Spagnuolo sent LB Drue Tranquill as an extra blitzer on the play, which left Anudike-Uzomah completely unblocked en route to the quarterback.
Anudike-Uzomah got to the QB in 2.46s according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Only Bills DE Von Miller has a quicker sack this season (2.43s). It's probably a little easier to do when you're left completely unblocked, but it's a positive sign that he was able to capitalize on this moment. It's just too bad that his teammates couldn't recover the forced fumble on the play. The sack ultimately led to a punt for the Falcons, so even without the turnover, the ball ended up back with his teammates on offense.
They say patience is a virtue. The Chiefs had their patience rewarded by the play of this former first-round draft pick in Week 3. There is still plenty of room for improvement, which will be shown as he carves out more opportunities throughout the upcoming season.
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