The Kansas City Chiefs added the next member of their 2023 rookie class with the selection of Chamarri Conner.
The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Virginia Tech safety Chamarri Conner in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
In order to secure the rights to Conner, the Chiefs traded a future 5th round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft along with their scheduled pick at No. 134 at the bottom of the fourth round.
The selection of Conner brings a pro-ready safety into the mix for the Chiefs secondary, an interesting development given that the core of safeties already looked strong for the season. The Chiefs had Justin Reid as the obvious starter and leader from last year and then they’d invested a second-round pick in Bryan Cook last spring who was a natural to take over for the departed Juan Thornhill in free agency.
Beyond that, the Chiefs also signed former Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards to a one-year deal in free agency after he’d enjoyed a breakout season there in ’22 after subbing for Antoine Winfield, Jr. who was out with injury. Finally the Chiefs also brought back Deon Bush on a one-year deal, a player who comes with strong special teams experience.
As for Conner, the Chiefs moved up to get him because they obviously like what he he brings as a player with four years of experience for the Hokies. He has four career INTs for Virginia Tech and 4 forced fumbles to go with 7.5 sacks and 23 pass deflections. He’s a durable, solid athlete who has experience at safety and nickel corner, so if the Chiefs somehow lose L’Jarius Sneed after the year, they have a player who can provide some of that same versatility.
Already in the draft, the Chiefs have attended to their three core needs. At defensive end, they grabbed Kansas State pass rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round. On Day Two, they addressed concerns at wide receiver with SMU wideout Rashee Rice and offensive line with Oklahoma right tackle Wanya Morris.
Kansas City Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft picks
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State
- Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
- Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma
- Chamarri Conner, S, Virginia Tech
- Round 5: No. 166
- Round 6: No. 178 (from Bears through Dolphins)
- Round 6, No. 194 (from Lions)
- Round 7: No. 250