Which prospects are linked to KC Chiefs in 2023 mock drafts?

While the NFL season is still young, teams already preparing for the 2023 Draft. What are analysts across the web projecting in mock drafts for KC Chiefs?

While the season is still young, teams are already busy preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft. Many teams send college scouts across the country to attend college football games, even early in the season, in order to get a better understanding of young prospects they may select in the following draft.

Kansas City and the Chiefs are the hosts of the 2023 NFL Draft but what kind of players are they potentially interested in? Which positions will they target? It’s too early to know for sure but there are countless NFL mock drafts across the internet so let’s take a quick look at what a few draft analysts are projecting for Kansas City.

The Draft Network (Damian Parson)- September 25, 2022

Here is what Damian Parson said about the Chiefs selecting Gonzalez in his mock draft:

"I love what the Chiefs’ offense has shown early this season and the defensive additions have paid off also. Why stop that trend now? I wanted to add more coverage and speed in the secondary and Christian Gonzalez could be the best coverage corner in this class. His sticky play style keeps him in phase versus vertical threats. Patrick Mahomes with a competent defense is the last thing NFL teams want to see."

I’m not a huge fan of this pick as the Chiefs invested heavily in the cornerback position in last year’s draft. They brought in Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, and Jaylen Watson and also have L’Jarius Sneed signed through 2023. They could invest in another cornerback, but not in the first round, in my opinion.

CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)- September 22, 2022

Here is Josh Edwards’ analysis:

"Orlando Brown Jr. is playing out the franchise tag in Kansas City, and it did not sound as though the two parties were close to an agreement on a contract extension. If the lineman is similarly stingy in contract negotiations next season, then I could see the franchise going in another direction."

I really like this mock for the Chiefs. After the first three weeks of the season, Kansas City should not even consider extending Orlando Brown Jr. as he’s been the worst starting offensive lineman on the team. I’m not sure if Fashanu is a first-round player come April but he is a good player for the Nittany Lions and could eventually develop into a starting left tackle in the NFL.

Pro Football Network (James Fragoza) - September 24, 2022

Here is James Fragoza’s analysis of the Rashee Rice selection:

"Yet another big WR with big-time ability, Rashee Rice has been on a tear for SMU. Just look at what he did in the first three games:Week 1 at North Texas: 8-166-1Week 2 vs. Lamar: 9-132-2Week 3 at Maryland: 11-193-0Rice doesn’t move like your archetypal 6’2″, 200-pound WR. He is an energetic weapon after the catch that can freeze defenders in the open field. But before they try to Ctrl + Alt + Del, Rice wins with high-level ball tracking, body control, and strength at the catch point."

Here is what Fragoza had to say about Stevenson:

"Tyrique Stevenson is a versatile CB and is physically imposing with his rocked-up 6’0″ and 214-pound frame. Stevenson could cement his Round 2 draft capital by midseason with smothering length and frustrating patience."

This is an interesting mock draft for the Kansas City Chiefs. After the first three games of the season, it’s abundantly clear that the current Chiefs wide receivers have trouble separating. Although they used a second-round selection on Skyy Moore in last April’s draft, roster-building-wise, it would still be wise to use an early selection on a wide receiver. In 2023, the only receivers currently under contract are Moore, Justyn Ross, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and the latter has a contract that structures 2023 more like a team option year, so his status is up in the air. Mecole Hardman is also possibly in his last season in Kansas City. Even if Kansas City extends JuJu Smith-Schuster, they should still draft another wide receiver, even in the first round.

Relating to the Stevenson selection, he does have the ability to play safety, so I can see Steve Spagnuolo liking his skillset for the defense. But similar to one of the previous mock drafts, I’m not sure the Chiefs will use another premium pick on a cornerback but I’m not counting anything out.