NFL Draft: Winners and losers from Kansas City Chiefs

The NFL draft week has just passed, and the Kansas City Chiefs have added seven draft picks and over a dozen undrafted free agents to their franchise.

Several Chiefs players are likely to be impacted by these moves. While the full implications of the Draft picks are unclear, some players are likely to benefit, while others may lose.

Let’s discuss the Chief’s winners and losers one by one:

Winners

Rashee Rice: Wide receiver Rashee Rice has the chance to make an immediate impact after the Chiefs traded up to secure his rights.

Rice is expected to add depth to the receiving room and has unique abilities that should be a welcome addition to the team.

With no clear-cut No.1 receiver on the roster, Rice has a real chance of playing time. Playing with the best quarterback in the football world can only enhance his chances.

Patrick Mahomes: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is also a winner from the Draft. The Chiefs have added Wayna Morris, a talented offensive tackle, and Rashee Rice, a receiver with unique abilities.

Both are key additions that will keep Mahomes productive and upright.

Morris, who has a real chance of winning the starting correct tackle job, will also benefit from playing next to his old friend Trey Smith from Tennessee.

Wayna Morris: Offensive tackle Wayna Morris is another winner from the Draft. Morris has a unique opportunity to win a starting job while playing next to his old friend Trey Smith.

Morris has the chance to play for one of the best offensive line coaches in the league and work with a team with a proven track record for drafting high-end starters on the offensive line.

Brett Veach: General Manager Brett Veach’s draft plan is also a winner. The Chiefs were targeting an EDGE rusher, wide receiver, and offensive tackle early, and they stuck to their plan with conviction.

They drafted their picks in each round and traded twice on Day 2 to ensure they got their targets.

Veach’s track record speaks for itself, and his unwavering adherence to his draft plan will indeed have positive ripple effects for the Chiefs.

Joe Cullen: Defensive line coach Joe Cullen is another winner from the Draft. After leading several Chiefs defenders to career years in 2022, Cullen is gaining influence.

The team drafted three defensive linemen for him to work with, and one of those (BJ Thompson) has an athletic profile that wouldn’t typically be an option for Steve Spagnuolo.

Cullen’s ability to mold players into NFL pass rushers will be on full display as he works with Anudike-Uzomah, Thompson, and Keondre Coburn.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also a winner.

Given his contract status, Edwards-Helaire has a decent chance of making the team’s roster despite missing time during the playoffs last season.

His stats, including 16 career touchdowns on 4.4 yards per rush and 8.0 yards per reception, are impressive and suggest he could be a key player for the Chiefs.

Losers

As the Kansas City Chiefs head into the upcoming season, some players face an uphill battle for significant playing time.

Prince Tega Wanogho: Offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho is likely to be relegated to the fourth spot again this season, limiting his chances to develop further.

Despite the Chiefs keeping him around for a reason, it is hard to see how he can win a more important job this year, with Wanya Morris and Lucas Niang in contention for the proper tackle position.

DeAndre Hopkins: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been the subject of much speculation amongst Chiefs fans, with rumours of a potential trade from the Arizona Cardinals.

However, with the addition of a rookie receiver with a similar style of play, Hopkins’ chances of joining the Super Bowl champions or another top team look slim.

He may be stuck on a struggling Cardinals team for another season.

Malik Herring: Defensive ends Malik Herring and Joshua Kaindoh have been invested in over the past few seasons. With only ten combined appearances over the last two seasons and no real tangible impact, they face stiff competition from BJ Thompson.

Thompson’s elite burst and bend off the edge give him an edge over Herring and Kaindoh, and he may earn the final 53-man spot at their expense.

Justyn Ross: Wide receiver Justyn Ross hopes to make an impact this season, but his path needs to be clarified with the Chiefs drafting Rashee Rice and bringing back Richie James and Justin Watson.

Ross is not a core special teams contributor or returner, and with Rice in contention for a job, he will have to hope that the Chiefs keep seven wide receivers this year or look for a spot on the practice squad.