The clock continues to countdown to the 2023 NFL draft and we’re seeing plenty of intriguing mock draft scenarios for the Kansas City Chiefs as a result.
Our friend Doug Farrar at Touchdown Wire released an updated mock draft through the first three rounds. He hits some big needs in the trenches for Kansas City early before sending them an intriguing pass catcher in the third round. Could the Chiefs go this route in the draft?
Here’s a quick reaction to the players sent to K.C. in this mock draft:
Round 1, Pick 31: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
Once again, the Chiefs are in transition with their offensive line. Two years after flipping all five of their starters (not a common construct), they lost left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and right tackle Andrew Wylie in free agency. The left tackle problem was estimably solved by giving former Jaguars blocker Jawaan Taylor a four-year, $80 million contract. Right tackle could be similarly sewn up with this Dawand Jones selection. Jones played mostly right tackle for the Buckeyes, he did so very well, and he did so with remarkable movement skills for a guy standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 374 pounds.
No disagreements with Doug’s assessment here. Shoring up the offensive tackle position might be the smartest thing that Kansas City could do in the first round. It’s hard not to fall in love with the measurables of this monster of a man, especially with a wingspan of 89.5 inches. I think the biggest worry about a player like Jones is his ability to adjust on the fly against games and stunts. He uses his length well, but he’s not the most fleet-footed tackle prospect.
Round 2, Pick 63: Baylor DT Siaki Ika
I took Ika at this exact same pick in my mock draft 1.0. Here’s what I had to say about the selection:
I was a big fan of Vita Vea when he was coming out for the NFL draft. Watching Siaki Ika do his thing at Baylor reminds me a lot of Vea when he was at Washington. The Chiefs need a true nose tackle in the rotation to pair with Chris Jones and the legion of players the team has that can play 3-technique. At 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds, Ika can be just that for Kansas City.
He’s stout in the running game, capable of commanding multiple gaps and taking on double teams. He’s also a handful in the passing game, often walking his man back into the lap of the quarterback, but he managed to go without a sack in 2022. The athleticism flashes early and often, but consistency has been lacking in a few areas. I expect that lack of consistency will likely keep him in striking distance for the Chiefs in Round 2 as it did in our simulations.
Round 3, Pick 95: Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims
I’d be thrilled if the Chiefs could get Mims in this spot. This speedy, field-stretching receiver has averaged over 20 yards per reception in each of his past two years at Oklahoma. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, Mims posted 123 receptions, 2,398 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns in three seasons with the Sooners. He’s also a punt returner, with 33 returns for 391 yards during his time in Norman.
