3 KC Chiefs players who could be nice surprises in ’23

Joshua Kaindoh, defensive end

This feels like Joshua Kaindoh’s now-or-never moment, and if he comes through in the “now”, it will be a huge surprise to everyone on the Chiefs (and in Chiefs Kingdom as well).

The Chiefs hit a couple of early home runs (wrong sport, we know!) in the 2021 NFL Draft when they selected Creed Humphrey and Nick Bolton in the second round. However, they also took a real swing-and-miss, at least to date, when they had the chance to grab some help in the fourth round and went for Kaindoh.

Kaindoh came into the league as a player who could never put it all together at the collegiate level at Florida State, so it even sounds silly to think he would do so at yet another level above that one. However, Kaindoh’s measurables are off the charts with a natural skill set that would make any defensive coordinator salivate in response. Unfortunately, injuries kept him from being able to develop as hoped with the Seminoles.

Coming into the league, the Chiefs could definitely use another situational pass rusher, but Kaindoh has only been active for three games in his two-year career and those were both in 2021. He was nothing but a healthy scratch all season this year, which was disheartening given the need, but it also shows the Chiefs still see the potential there and didn’t want to leave him available for any franchise to poach. Will he turn it around in 2023? Can he surprise? The Chiefs can only hope.