2023 NFL Draft: KC Natives Make So Much Sense As Chiefs Fits

We are just over two weeks away from the 2023 NFL Draft. As we get closer and closer, certain prospects are starting to stand out more than others as natural fits for certain teams. And for the Kansas City Chiefs, there are some names that are starting to become more fascinating as possible fits. These potential player-team fits just seem so natural for the Chiefs.

Why is that the case for Kansas City entering the 2023 NFL Draft? Plus, which names make so much sense for the Chiefs? Let’s kick it off.

Hometown Kids Would Get Immediate Playing Time

The fact that both Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore and Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah are Kansas City natives are just fun, buzzy headlines. But honestly, these two present natural fits to the Chiefs defense. When it comes to a versatile defensive lineman (Adebawore) or an EDGE defender (Anudike-Uzomah) that makes sense late in round one, no names stand out more for KC. You would have to imagine that the Chiefs have a fair amount of interest in each player as a possibility at the end of round one, assuming they sit at 31 overall.

Quite frankly, each of Adebawore and Anudike-Uzomah seem like fits, just on the fact that they should get immediate playing time if drafted by Kansas City. In the case of the Northwestern product, the Chiefs have been adding more versatility to the defensive line. Charles Omenihu, Mike Danna and occasionally George Karlaftis can move around the defensive line to present different defensive looks and attacks. Adebawore would fall under that same category of being able to align from different techniques. And for the Kansas State product, Anudike-Uzomah likely becomes a top three option, at worst, at defensive end. That is due to the current construction of the Chiefs at that position.

Best Football Lies Ahead Of Them

For some casual fans, they may not like the idea of drafting a player early that is likely to still have his best football left ahead of him. But obviously, not every prospect is completely polished and refined entering the league. Production and consistency at the college level is also much more different than it is at the professional level. Overall, it is clear that Adebawore and Anudike-Uzomah are just scratching the surface of what they may become. Each of their respective ceilings also appear to be fairly high.

As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to reshape a defense that is much younger, this is incredible news. Any team would want to add someone with instant production. But with Adebawore and Anudike-Uzomah likely reaching their performance ceiling down the line, the Chiefs could be seeing these two as names that help redefine the pass rush around Chris Jones.

Mini Scouting Reports

For Felix Anudike-Uzomah, finding more consistency will be important as his professional career grows. But that is okay, given the tools he displays in his toolbox, hence his best football laying ahead of him. The mix of length and power at the point of attack are two traits that make Anudike-Uzomah a natural fit with the Chiefs defense. Meanwhile, his pass rush repertoire is fairly diverse. Most of all, Anudike-Uzomah can surprise and flash with his ability to bend and rely on a relentless motor at his size.

As for Adetomiwa Adebawore, he can also overwhelm opposing blockers with his length. That is due to the multitude of ways in which he can use that trait to his advantage. For starters, Adebawore works quickly to reduce rush angles and get skinny at the point of attack. He can also win leverage initially with his length to displace blockers. On the other hand, Adebawore presents a unique sense of first-step quickness, athleticism and lateral agility. When you add in the versatility of this defender, Kansas City could utilize him from any angle against both the run and the pass.