Keeping track of the KC Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft visits
By Matt Conner
Come here for a full rundown of the college prospects who have visited the Kansas City Chiefs before the 2023 NFL Draft.
Each NFL franchise is allotted 30 visits with college prospects before the 2023 NFL Draft, and the Kansas City Chiefs have already used many of them. While there’s no official list out there, leaks from various reporters or players about their time at Arrowhead give us a good idea of who the Chiefs are showing interest in and/or what positions might be emphasized.
With a few weeks to go until the draft, let’s take a look at the players who have already visited with the Chiefs. And keep coming back as we’ll update our visit tracker as we go.
Here’s a look at all of the players who have been checked out by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Deslin Alexandre, DE, Pitt
A leader up front for Pitt, Alexandre doesn’t have an off button and the potential is intriguing there with better coaching and more experience for some impact at defensive end.
Jeremy Banks, LB, Tennessee
Banks comes with a troubling legal history that, at one point, had him out of the Vols program entirely. The Chiefs likely wanted to hear some stories firsthand, but they might like what he offers on special teams.
Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
A quick volume target for the Wolverines last year, Bell is a K.C. native and would love nothing more than to come home and play for Andy Reid.
Bradford profiles as a mid-round guard with solid pro potential who just needs a greater body of work to evaluate given that he only started a single season for LSU.
Jaelyn Duncan, OL, Maryland
A big and quick four-year starter in the Big Ten who could be an adequate player at the next level, but struggles with penalties, and better opponents will limit projection.
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
The Chiefs asked Flowers to work out with Patrick Mahomes in Texas on the last day of scheduled visits.
One of the draft’s top tackles. Harrison comes with three years of starting experience on the left side at one of college football’s best programs at getting guys to be pro-ready. A real possibility with the team’s first-round pick.
Khalef Hailassie, CB, Western Kentucky
WKU defensive backs are tough as hell and Hailassie profiles the same way. He transferred in from Oregon and had quick success in his shift to Conference USA. Could be a nice day-three grab.
The former top WR recruit in the nation (just ahead of Garrett Wilson) has never lived up to his potential, but he’s got the attention of several teams as a flyer in this year’s class.
Cooper Hodges, OL, Appalachian State
With over 50 starts at right tackle, there’s a lot of tape for the Chiefs and other teams to watch from Hodges here. Could slide inside at the next level.
D.J. Johnson, DE, Oregon
An impressive pass-rushing specimen who needs to be coached up with his technique yet is an older prospect who will be 25 years old this fall.
Johnson played inside at Toledo but he’s a bit slight to play inside early in the pros. He showed enough disruption that he could be intriguing as a versatile inside-out prospect who finds a home in the right system.
One of the draft’s top wide receivers, Johnston put in a visit to Arrowhead, giving other teams a smokescreen or a sign the Chiefs could be considering WR in the first round.
One of the top 2-3 offensive tackles in the draft class, it was a surprise to see the Chiefs bring in a player expected to be long gone by the time they pick.
Truman Jones, DE, Harvard
Truman Jones is hoping to be the first Harvard product to be drafted in seven years but it’s likelier that he’ll be a priority free agent as an Ivy League captain who had 13 tackles for loss and 6 sacks last season.
Brodric Martin, DL, Western Kentucky
The second Western Kentucky player on the roster is a mammoth interior defensive lineman who would be viewed as a two-down run stuffer and little else.
Will McDonald, DE, Iowa State
Will McDonald is slighter than what the Chiefs typically pursue on the edge, but he might have the sort of speed and production that are impossible to ignore.
Jerrick Reed II, DB, New Mexico
Jerrick Reed is a likely late-round flyer who showed off a versatile skill set at the University of New Mexico. The Chiefs’ decision to bring him in was likely to allow coaches and scouts to size him up as a smaller safety and to see how he might have the edge over other special teams prospects.
Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
There’s a lot to like from the Chiefs’ perspective about a playmaker like Rashee Rice who found himself utilized in several ways for SMU’s offense (including some of Shane Buechele’s tenure). Can he create as many yards after the catch at the pro level is another question, but if the Chiefs chase a day two receiver…
If the Chiefs wanted to find a long-term running mate with Trent McDuffie, they’d grab Cam Smith who is a taller version of McDuffie with similar instincts (not quite as sharp) but a much better track record of getting his hands on the ball.
Mazi Smith, DL, Michigan
One of the top interior linemen in the entire draft class, Smith is a potential first-round choice who could do some damage next to Chris Jones.
Jason Taylor II, DB, Oklahoma State
The Big-12 leader in interceptions a year ago, Jason Taylor profiles as a backup safety and core special teams player at the next level.
B.J. Thompson, Edge, Stephen F. Austin
A small-school pass rusher has earned interest from several teams, and it will be important to get a closer look for as much insight as a team like the Chiefs can before the draft.
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
If the Chiefs are serious about a player like Wright or Harrison, they would have an instant starter at right tackle. Wright, who is more of a mauler, comes with years of experience in the SEC.
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