The Kansas City Chiefs went with a “best player available” strategy in making a number of selections at the annual NFL draft, held the final weekend of April at Kansas City’s iconic Union Station. The first night of the selection process saw the Chiefs, as the reigning Super Bowl champions, select 31st (or last) in the opening round. With the selection, the franchise stayed local, selecting Kansas State junior pass rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Rounds 2 and 3 were held on Friday, April 28th, with Kansas City making two more selections. The Chiefs found another playmaker for Patrick Mahomes in the second round, selecting SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice, before adding to the line in front of Mahomes in the third round, going with Oklahoma tackle Wanya Morris.
With four selections, made on Saturday, April 29th, Kansas City concentrated on increasing depth on the roster while finding players capable of helping with special teams in their rookie seasons. In the fourth round, KC selected Virginia Tech safety Chamarri Conner, before leaning towards Stephen F. Austin linebacker B.J. Thompson in the fifth round, Texas defensive tackle Keondre Coburn in the sixth, and Ball State cornerback Nic Jones in the seventh.The final four selections Sunday provided some much needed depth: Virginia Tech safety Chamarri Conner in the fourth round, Stephen F. Austin linebacker BJ Thompson in the fifth, Texas defensive tackle Keondre Coburn in the sixth and Ball State cornerback Nic Jones in the seventh.
The Chiefs traded up in the second round to select Rice, who is aggressive after the catch in the same mold as JuJu Smith-Schuster, who left in free agency. The Chiefs also lost Mecole Hardman, making it a priority to add another pass catcher to a group headlined by Kadarius Toney and second-year pro Skyy Moore.
