The 2023 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and as the football-watching world prepares to descend on Kansas City, there seem to be more and more mock drafts populating the internet by the day.
Here's a look at who some of the latest mock drafts from around the web have the Chiefs selecting with the No. 31 overall pick on April 27:
ESPN.com (Mel Kiper Jr.) (April 11): Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV
The original mock draft guru himself, Mel Kiper Jr. from ESPN, has the Chiefs selecting Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald IV in his latest projection. Here's more from Kiper:
"The McDonald stat I love most? He had 10 career forced fumbles. He gets to quarterbacks but also understands how to create turnovers. (Will Anderson Jr. had just one forced fumble in his career at Alabama.) McDonald is an explosive player with a high ceiling. The Super Bowl champs could add him to the edge rotation with George Karlaftis and free agent addition Charles Omenihu. As I've mentioned before, keep Kansas City in mind for the wideouts in this class."
NFL.com (Rhett Lewis) (April 11): Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
NFL Network Host Rhett Lewis sent Kansas City native and K-State alum Felix Anudike-Uzomah to the Chiefs in his first mock of the offseason. Here's what Lewis wrote about the selection:
"Looking to build one of the better defenses in football with young talent on reasonable contracts continues to be the trend for the defending Super Bowl champions. FAU gives the Chiefs a pass rusher to help fill the void left by the release of Frank Clark."
Pro Football Network (Kyle Yates) (April 13): South Carolina CB Cam Smith
Pro Football Network's Kyle Yates went in a different direction with his latest mock, as he chose to send a defensive back to Kansas City to close out the first round. Here's more from Yates:
"As Kansas City consistently vies for the Super Bowl every single year, they need good secondary play as they come up against many prolific passing attacks. Cam Smith has great instincts and length and would provide the Chiefs with valuable depth at a key position of need."
CBS Sports (Jordan Dajani) (April 14): Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV
CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani went with a popular selection in his latest mock draft, sending Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald IV to Kansas City. Here's what Dajani had to say about the pick:
"I think the Chiefs could add another pass rusher, even with the addition of Charles Omenihu. McDonald looks like he could be an explosive force off the edge, which would definitely help Kansas City."
Bleacher Report (April 13): Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
The folks at Bleacher Report believe that Kansas City will add to its offensive line in their latest mock, sending Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones to Kansas City. Here's what they wrote about the pick:
"With Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie both gone in free agency and only Jawaan Taylor signed to offset those losses, right tackle is now a concern. The 6'8", 374-pound Dawand Jones amply fills the void…Jones is still very young and relatively inexperienced but adds a towering figure to right tackle, with enough quickness to develop into a wall in pass protection if exposed to the right coaching and technique cues."
NFL.com (Charles Davis) (April 13): Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Like many others, NFL Media Analyst Charles Davis also sent Lee's Summit High School alum and former K-State star Felix Anudike-Uzomah to Kansas City at pick No. 31. Here's more from Davis:
"Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could use a pass-rushing complement to 2022 first-rounder George Karlaftis. Anudike-Uzomah helps replace Frank Clark."
