2023 NFL Draft: Nic Jones added to KC Chiefs rookie class

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 03: Defensive back Nic Jones of Ball State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 03: Defensive back Nic Jones of Ball State participates in a drill during the NFL Combine during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs used their final choice to take DB Nic Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft.

With their seventh and final selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have added Nic Jones, a defensive back out of Ball State University.

The Chiefs take a step into the MAC with this last selection and end up with a cornerback who started the last two seasons for the Cardinals, both outside and in the slot. He was second-team All-MAC last season and deflected 14 passes, showing some real ball skills in the process. Even more important to his hopes to turn pro, he blocked two punts in his college career and should excel on special teams if given the chance.

As for his opportunities to make the team, the Chiefs are already looking exceptionally deep in the secondary so Jones profiles as a competitor for a spot on the practice squad at this stage unless he really surprises. He’s late to a starting role here, however, and with further muscle added, he could grow into a role for the Chiefs defense. Ultimately, this sort of pick in the seventh is an ideal stash and develop project.

It will be interesting to see how Jones looks next to guys like DiCaprio Bootle, Nazeeh Johnson, and other fringe prospects. But let’s not forget that Jaylen Watson was an early starter for the Chiefs last year as a seventh-round pick.

The Chiefs began the draft with 10 total selections, but they traded up in several rounds, including the second, to come away with seven picks to call their 2023 draft class, one anchored by hometown kid known as Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Let’s take a look at the full draft class below.

Kansas City Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft picks

  1. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State (No. 31)
  2. Rashee Rice, WR, SMU (No. 55)
  3. Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma (No. 92)
  4. Chamarri Conner, DB, Virginia Tech (No. 119)
  5. B.J. Thompson, DE, Stephen F. Austin (No. 166)
  6. Keondre Coburn, DT, Texas (No. 194)
  7. Nic Jones, CB, Ball State (No. 250)

Schedule