Steve Spagnuolo delivers the perfect update on the growth of Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah in Year 2
After what amounted to a disappointing rookie campaign, Kansas City Chiefs fans are eager to see what their 2023 first-round draft pick brings to the table. Felix Anudike-Uzomah came in as a 21-year-old rookie and appeared in 18 combined regular-season and postseason games for Kansas City. In that span, he played 225 snaps and recorded 15 […]
After what amounted to a disappointing rookie campaign, Kansas City Chiefs fans are eager to see what their 2023 first-round draft pick brings to the table.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah came in as a 21-year-old rookie and appeared in 18 combined regular-season and postseason games for Kansas City. In that span, he played 225 snaps and recorded 15 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 11 total pressures. At times, he struggled with the snap count and timing the snap. It just generally wasn't the type of performance you come to expect from a first-round draft pick, even one selected at the end of the first round.
With two weeks of OTAs in the books, Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo gave fans a little update on what he's seen from the second-year defensive end so far.
"Felix (Anudike-Uzomah) has done a really nice job," Spagnuolo said. "I mean, I'd say the same. We're just talking about Chamarri (Conner). They're in the same year, right? Second year. I think Felix is on the same trajectory."
Comparing Anudike-Uzomah to Conner is saying something, considering that Conner has been starting nickel for the team so far this offseason, in addition to wearing other hats. Anudike-Uzomah might not wind up as a starter, but contributing to an edge rusher rotation that will feature George Karlaftis and Mike Danna would be a huge development.
"It was all new last year," Spagnuolo explained. "Everything, right? Playing in your hometown, that we talked about a lot. And so I think he's kind of figured a lot of those things out and I think on the field, it shows up. He's more comfortable with the guys the guys more comfortable with him."
Anudike-Uzomah has also taken it upon himself to join Karlaftis in training with former Chiefs DE Tamba Hali this offseason. He's eager to learn and become the best possible player that he can be. To hear that he looks more comfortable, even in the earliest juncture of the offseason, is a positive sign. That's especially the case when you consider that he didn't participate in over two weeks of OTA practices in 2023 due to injury.
"He battled nonetheless," Spagnuolo said. "He had some nicks and he had a groin or something (wrist injury). But for a long time there, I think even during this time (OTAs), I'm not sure we had him until training camp, right? So, he didn't even have the benefit of these OTAs."
You might be saying, "Well, what do padless OTA practices matter for a defensive lineman?" In Steve Spagnuolo's defense, they're very important for a rookie and their ability to pick up the defense and play with the requisite level of football intelligence. Anudike-Uzomah's injury prevented him from getting that full education, and it put him behind the curve. After a full year under his belt, that shouldn't be a problem for the former K-State Wildcat.
Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo receives the 2024 Dr. Z award for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach
One member of the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff has been recognized for his lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL.
