Chiefs instant draft grades: Felix Anudike-Uzomah earns praise for KC
Felix Anudike-Uzomah is a productive pass rusher who provides good value at a positon of need for the Kansas City Chiefs—a pick worthy of praise.
The first round of the 2023 NFL draft was an exciting night, full of draft-day trades and intriguing picks, but the hype got started when quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce got the crowd moving early.
The Kansas City Chiefs are loading up to make a run to back-to-back Super Bowl Champions, and the journey continued on Thursday night as the Chiefs chose a hometown hero in defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah from Kansas State University with the 31st pick overall.
Chiefs fans had to wait quite some time to see who would join the Super Bowl team. With a fascinating first round, the Chiefs ended up with a playmaker when the pick came in at the end of the first round. There is a good chance Anudike-Uzomah will immediately impact an already deep and high-powered roster. With the offseason release of Frank Clark, Anudike-Uzomah will be a welcomed addition to the defensive line.
With the recent signing of Charles Omenihu, and the blossoming of George Karlaftis last season, Anudike-Uzomah will be able to adjust to the next level behind a proven defensive line that could benefit significantly from their impact.
It is easy to see Anudike-Uzomah contributing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the same way George Karlaftis did last season, a player who was able to show the Chiefs what he can bring to the table early and often. Looking at the depth chart, Anudike-Uzomah will likely come in as the third defensive end behind Karlaftis and Omenihu. Similar to Karlaftis, Anudike-Uzomah will compete for more playing time, and I predict by midseason, he will be making the plays that earned him the first-round selection by the defending Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs took the player they believe will help them add another Lombardi Trophy to the case. What do you think? Did the Chiefs make the right pick, or would you have preferred they pick someone else? Let me know in the comments, and check in early and often at Arrowhead Addict for all Kansas City Chiefs draft news.