Four Senior Bowl standouts for KC Chiefs to consider
By Matt Conner
The 2023 Senior Bowl provided an opportunity for some key NFL draft prospects to catch the eye of Brett Veach and the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Saturday, the 2023 Senior Bowl provided an incredible opportunity for this year’s experienced NFL Draft prospects to showcase what they can do with a special exhibition that pulled them from familiar schemes and confines to allow NFL personnel to see how they take to coaching.
The Chiefs have shown an affinity for Senior Bowl prospects over the years and this season’s group of prospects should draw more interest from Brett Veach and the team’s front office. We have a few players that we like ourselves, ones we believe would provide a good fit and value in K.C.
Here’s a look at five Senior Bowl standouts worth a closer look.
Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
We’re pretty sure the Chiefs would have to use their first-round selection on McDonald when all is said and done because the draft stock of the Iowa State pass rusher is only going to get better the more that scouts get a good read on his pro potential. That’s okay because the Chiefs need another high-level investment on the edges, which means McDonald could be a good fit, value, and need for Brett Veach.
The Chiefs made a first-round pick at the position a year ago and have to be pleased with the early results from George Karlaftis on the outside. As Karlaftis came on strong at year’s end, the Chiefs could use another young presence on the other side to maintain cost-controlled talent along the defensive front, and coordinating this selection with Karlaftis would be wise to help them grow together as Chris Jones gets older in the interior.
As for McDonald himself, he’s a fifth-year senior with 34 career sacks for the Cyclones who was a hit at this year’s Senior Bowl. The first round might have seemed a stretch to start the season, especially given his age as a 24-year-old rookie, and maybe he’ll still be available on Day 2, but the Chiefs will likely pick too late to get him. However a match might be made, McDonald would be a great addition to the team’s pass-rushing corps.