2023 mock draft roundup: KC Chiefs linked with surprise sliding prospects
By Matt Conner
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
The last mock draft of the spring from Pete Prisco of CBS Sports stays on the offensive side for the Chiefs but he thinks the Chiefs are going to use their first-round pick on a shiny new weapon for Patrick Mahomes in Jordan Addison.
Prisco is not alone in this thought. Many fans and analysts have the same thing in mind for the first round and it’s not a good thought. After all, the Chiefs are becoming increasingly reliant on Travis Kelce even as he gets older, which is not a recipe for long-term success—or at least it shouldn’t be the plan going forward. Instead, the Chiefs need to find auxiliary playmakers who can step up as Kelce gets more rest over time.
The Chiefs do have a nice trio of young wideouts in Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Skyy Moore, but each of those players comes with questions or concerns for the 2023 season. Adding someone like Addison to the mix makes sense in both the short-term and the long-term and rounds out the Chiefs’ selection of weapons quite nicely. It also means there’s a long-term pillar to work with on the books.
As for Addison, he’s certainly not the favorite of most who would likely rather see Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Zay Flowers in this role, but the Chiefs spent a Top 30 prospect visit with Addison and there’s a lot to like about his game. He’s a pro-ready playmaker from Week 1.