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Grading every Chiefs first-round pick during Brett Veach’s tenure

By Matt Conner

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Brett Veach celebrates with Clark Hunt after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Brett Veach celebrates with Clark Hunt after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 29: George Karlaftis #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after winning the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 29: George Karlaftis #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after winning the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

2022: George Karlaftis, DL, Purdue

As if McDuffie wasn’t enough of a win from last year’s draft class (or even the entire body of work in the secondary), the Chiefs also grabbed a nice defensive cornerstone at No. 30 overall with their selection of Purdue pass rusher George Karlaftis.

Karlaftis came into the draft as one of the most recognized players in college football from his previously dominant seasons at Purdue. However, Karlaftis also struggled later in his college career to live up to the strong production he showed during his freshman season (17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks)—partially due to injury—and it raised some concerns about how he might progress at the NFL level.

Fortunately, Karlaftis’ adaptability, teachable posture, natural talent, and non-stop motor created an ideal candidate for positional coach Joe Cullen to work with. It took several weeks for Karlaftis to look the part for four full quarters, but he really took off in the second half of his rookie campaign. Karlaftis finished the year with 6 sacks, 7 pass deflections, and a higher pressure rate than any other rookie edge rusher in 2022.

Going forward without Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap, it makes sense for Karlaftis to take a step forward as he gains experience. His ceiling is unknown but his floor is rock solid and that’s good news for Steve Spagnuolo’s unit going forward.

Grade: A-

Next. Grading the Chiefs free agent signings from '22. dark

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