These players are worth the steal.
The Kansas City Chiefs have their sights set on defending their Super Bowl championship during the 2023 NFL season. They’ve already made a handful of improvements this offseason and the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft live from the Kingdom in less than 10 days gives them a chance to make more additions.
The Chiefs own the 31st overall pick in the first round, however, they won’t be on the clock again until No.63 in Round 2. Fortunately, have eight other draft picks — including No. 95 — to help them move up in the second round if a player they like has fallen.
Here are three players that the Chiefs should trade up for and steal in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama:
As a general rule of thumb, people are against spending premium picks on running backs. It’s a luxury pick, but it’s one a team with an embarrassment of riches like the Chiefs can take the gamble on. And it’s hard not to picture what a talent like Jahmyr Gibbs could do in this offense. Gibbs is coming off of three very productive seasons both at Georgia Tech and recently at Alabama, tallying 3,344 yards and 23 total touchdowns in that time. He more than backed those numbers up at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds and putting up a 33.5-inch vertical leap. Jamaal Charles ran the 40 in 4.38 seconds and put a 30.5-inch vertical leap. Adding a special athlete like Gibbs in the backfield would completely transform this run game and another weapon for Patrick Mahomes in the pass game. As long as the Chiefs doesn’t have to surrender too much to move up for a RB, Isiah Pacheco and Gibbs could form the most overpowering RB duo in the league.
Breaking down the film on Jahmyr Gibbs 🎥@AlabamaFTBL | @Jahmyr_Gibbs1
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/nFBycz7Dkm— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2023
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, K-State:
The release of Frank Clark to begin the off-season has left the Chiefs’ edge depth looking somewhat slim. If K-State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah manages to fall from the first to the second round, the Chiefs must make a deal to steal him. Anudike-Uzomah possesses a great mixture of speed and explosiveness that’ll keep the opposition guessing on every down. He’s the definition of a defensive playmaker, having racked up career-totals in tackles for a loss (26.5), sacks (20.5) and forced fumbles (8.0) en route to being named First team All-American last season. The Kansas City, MO native who attended Lee’s Summit High School could easily make an impact in the red and gold if Veach believes in his talents. The Chiefs have already met with Anudike-Uzomah at the 2023 NFL Combine in an informal setting. If the K-State legend is still on the board in the late 40s, don’t be surprised to see the Chiefs move mountains to go get the 21-year-old.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah ranks 2nd in all of FBS football with 7.5 sacks on the year pic.twitter.com/xph9IVnpNH
— Clint The K-State Fan (@Thekstatefan2) October 31, 2022
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee:
The Chiefs could simply stay put at No. 63 and maybe select SMU’s Rashee Rice or Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman, but we can be swinging for the fences here. Especially if one of the top receivers in TCU’s Quentin Johnston falls, I want to see the Chiefs do that with a freak athlete like Tillman’s teammate, Jalin Hyatt aka DeSean Jackson 2.0. A 6-foot wideout, Hyatt’s draft stock skyrocketed after he lit up the NFL Combine. At the conclusion of the 2022 season, Hyatt was named the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner for the nations’ best receiver, making him the first Tennessee player to win the award. He was also named an unanimous All-American, the Volunteers first since Chiefs legend Eric Berry in 2009. He ran a 4.4 40-yard dash and showcased a 40-inch vertical leap. That’s special stuff. He has a ways to go with the more technical aspects of his game, but the upside is hard to ignore. If he pans out, the downfield burner could take Chiefs’ passing game to the next level.
"Nobody knew my name."@jalinhyatt made sure his last year at @Vol_Football was unforgettable 💪
📺: Hey Rookie premieres tonight 7:30pm ET on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Yw3qFhxFXM
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) April 10, 2023
Follow Chiefs Fan 4 Life on Twitter @ChiefsFan4Lyfe. Check out my articles, including the 3 players the Chiefs should consider moving up for if it’s not Anton Harrison or Dawand Jones, why I think Justyn Ross will have a breakout season in 2023 and how the Chiefs will have an underrated safety trio in 2023.
Want more Chiefs Focus? Subscribe to our podcasts, follow us on Twitter, follow us on Instagram, like us on Facebook or catch us at our YouTube channel.
