NFL draft grades: Media has split opinions on Chiefs Day 2 picks

The Kansas City Chiefs made the moves they thought were necessary, but others are not as confident in the team’s choices on Day 2.

On night two of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs came into the event with the the 63rd and 95th picks. After adding defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round, the Chiefs added two more players looking forward to making their mark on the NFL.

To add another weapon to the already high-powered arsenal of Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs made a deal with the Detroit Lions to move up to the 55th pick from the 63rd and select WR Rashee Rice out of SMU. To do so, they sent the extra picks in the fourth (No. 122) and seventh rounds (No. 249) in return for moving up eight spots and an extra sixth round choice (No. 194).

Media grades for Rashee Rice

With the 55th pick of the draft, the Chiefs chose wide receiver Rashee Rice from SMU. Wide receiver was a need for the Kansas City Chiefs in the draft after the departures of JuJu Smith-Shuster and Mecole “Jet” Hardman. The Chiefs looked to add a receiver with downfield play-making ability and impressive hands, who many believe will immediately impact the high-flying Chiefs offense.

Still, others are not as confident. Chet Gresham over at Draft Kings gave the Chiefs pick a C-.

"“The Chiefs took an athletic specimen in Rice, but one that is quite inconsistent on the field. He tries to use his size to win jump balls instead of working more on technique to get open. He’s already 23 years old and will need to develop as route runner quickly.”"

This is a harsh evaluation of the wide-receiver prospect out of SMU, but not everyone is so negative about the pick. Oliver Hodgkinson, over at Pro Football Network, gave a B+.

"“Although he was the 97th overall prospect on the PFN Big Board, this shouldn’t be seen as a reach for the Chiefs. Rice has impact maker written all over him.”"

Hodgkinson sees the versatility of Rice and shows how he can be another facet to the Kansas City Chiefs offense, which currently has speedy receivers. Rice can provide a more extensive body that will make the contested catches down the middle of the field and make the big plays in the end zone.

Media grades for Wanya Morris

With the 92nd pick of the draft, the Kansas City Chiefs added offensive tackle Wanya Morris from Oklahoma. Going into the offseason, bolstering the offensive line was a priority and the Chiefs took another step towards that goal on Friday night.

This was a need that the Chiefs needed to fill to make a run for another Lombardi Trophy after losing Andrew Wylie and Orlando Brown Jr. The Chiefs also needed and to keep the reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes standing upright.

Dane Brugler from The Athletic gave a B+ grade on the former five-star recruit.

"An above-average athlete for his size, Morris displays outstanding body control and weight distribution in his movements (both pass sets and run blocking). However, his rhythm starts to fall apart at contact because his upper and lower halves are often doing two different things at the same time, leaving him off-balance.”"

This evaluation appears to be just the pick the Chiefs need to bolster an offensive line that was one of the league’s best in 2023, highlighted by the Super Bowl victory where they gave up zero sacks to the number one defense in the NFL.

Going into day three of the draft, the Kansas City Chiefs are in an excellent position to make the moves to draft the players they have their eye on. In 2022, many key players from the remarkable playoff run came from day three players, including sensational running back Isiah Pacheco.

The first two nights of the draft saw three players join the Chiefs Kingdom, ready to prepare for the 2023 season. So what do you think of the picks? Did the Chiefs make the right decision, or should they have traded more draft capital for a higher draft pick?