How the Chiefs could land one of the biggest steals in the draft in the second round
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a really good place ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Kansas City, fresh off a win in the Super Bowl, doesn't have a lot of glaring holes on their roster to address. Sure, they could use some upgrades at wide receiver. And there are other areas where they need […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a really good place ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kansas City, fresh off a win in the Super Bowl, doesn't have a lot of glaring holes on their roster to address.
Sure, they could use some upgrades at wide receiver. And there are other areas where they need to add some talent, but the Chiefs' roster could compete for another Super Bowl title without making a single selection in the draft next week.
Of course, hitting on a couple of impact players in the draft will only strengthen Kansas City's roster. If the Chiefs can add an edge rusher that provides some production as a rookie, it could go a long way in giving Kansas City the pass rush they'll need to dominate the AFC again in 2023.
One player that Kansas City should target in the second round is Tennessee Vols edge rusher Byron Young. The former Vols standout has a high ceiling after landing at Tennessee via a wild journey that involved Young being out of football and working at a Dollar General at one point.
Young didn't put up insane numbers at Tennessee, but he was solid. The Georgia native totaled 12.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss during his two seasons at UT.
Young showed off his amazing athleticism at the combine earlier this offseason, running a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash (for comparison's sake, Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, a potential top five selection, ran a 4.60). The former Tennessee pass rusher also had an 11-foot broad jump (tied for longest of the day), which suggests that Young is more than explosive enough to make a big impact in the NFL.
Most mock drafts have Young slipping to the end of the second round or going in the early part of the third round. The Chiefs have the No. 63 overall selection (Round 2) in the draft. If Young is available when the No. 63 pick comes around, Kansas City absolutely has to take him.
The last time the Chiefs took a former Tennessee player that slipped in the draft (offensive lineman Trey Smith in the sixth round), it worked out pretty well. Perhaps they should follow that same formula again in 2023.
