KC Chiefs linked with offensive help in latest 2023 NFL mock drafts

With the NFL regular season in full force, what have NFL draft experts from across the web projected for the KC Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft?

While we are still in the middle of the season, teams are already busy preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft. Many teams send college scouts across the country to attend college football games every week 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.

CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson)- November 20, 2022

Here was Ryan Wilson’s analysis:

"He’s listed at 6-7, 265 pounds (he actually plays bigger than that), and while he’s growing into his role as a receiver, he’s essentially another offensive tackle when he’s inline. Basically, he’d serve two roles in Kansas City: receiver in a high-powered offense and an extra blocker."

I’m torn on this pick for the Chiefs. On one hand, if developed correctly, Darnell Washington is a high-ceiling player who could be a problem in Kansas City’s offense. On the other hand, even with Travis Kelce getting long in the tooth, I’m not sure a tight end is the way to go in the first round of the draft. A

Washington is the 81st-ranked player on CBS’ current big board, so I’m not sure the value is there. Washington does intrigue me as a prospect as he’s a great blocker but is relatively unproven as a receiver. Granted, he is stuck behind potential 2024 Top 15 pick Brock Bowers.

In the short term, Washington could serve primarily as a blocking tight end, with more upside in the receiving game, so an upgraded version of what Blake Bell is today. In the long term, he could be the successor to Kelce. I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on Washington in the 2nd round, but 30th overall is a little too rich for my taste.

The Draft Network (Kyle Crabbs)- November 23, 2022

Here is what Crabbs said about the Gibbs selection:

"The Chiefs and Jahmyr Gibbs deserve one another. Let Isiah Pacheco be the early-down ball carrier and let Gibbs roam on third downs and in the slot. Please. I need it like I need air."

Here is what he had to say about the Anudike-Uzomah pick:

"Quick, who is No. 2 on the Chiefs in sacks after Chris Jones’ 9.0? Did you guess veteran pass rusher Carlos Dunlap? Good for you…but cornerback L’Jarius Sneed wasn’t a bad guess either—he’s third and 0.5 sacks behind Dunlap."

I love one of these picks and I strongly dislike the other. Relating to the first selection, the Chiefs should have learned their lesson about taking running backs in the first round after Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020.

Jahmyr Gibbs is a fine player, but not yet convinced he’s a first-rounder, though his versatility is an asset. Running back is the one position, outside of special teamers, where it is best to play money ball and go with the most cost-effective solutions. I’m not a believer in selecting running backs super early in the draft, so I would not support this pick if it happened in real life, although the Chiefs may feel different.

On the other hand, if the Chiefs can somehow land Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the second round, I will be doing backflips. I view FAU as a first-round pass-rusher all the way, and I would love it if Kansas City took him at 30, let alone at 62. I anticipate that Chris Jones will be extended this offseason and George Karlaftis should take the next step, so FAU would be a fantastic addition to the defensive line and would form a sneaky good pass rush starting next season.

Yahoo Sports (Doug Farrar)- November 23, 2022

Here is how Doug Farrar explained the Anton Harrison selection:

"Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison looks like the very model of a modern pass-blocking tackle. He’s allowed just one sack and seven total pressures this season, and his combination of strength, quickness, and agility would seem to make him a perfect match for this offense."

I would really like this pick for the Chiefs. Anton Harrison has played very well for the Sooners at left tackle this season, allowing only 8 pressures (1 sack) in 369 pass-blocking snaps, but has allowed 5 pressures in 81 true pass sets (“True Pass Set” excludes plays with less than 4 rushers, play action, screens, short dropbacks, and time-to-throws under 2 seconds).

I think Harrison could be a solid day-one option at right tackle or serve as a swing tackle in 2023, then replace Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle in 2024. He’s not a fantastic run blocker, but his pass protection is more important.