The 2023 NFL Draft is less than one week away, and as the marquee event of the offseason prepares to kick off in Kansas City this upcoming Thursday night, the various experts from around the web are putting together their final projections on how Round 1 may play out.
Here's a look at who some of the latest mock drafts have the Chiefs selecting with the No. 31 overall pick on April 27:
NFL.com (Peter Schrager) (April 18): TCU WR Quentin Johnston
Peter Schrager from NFL Network has the Chiefs bolstering their offensive arsenal in Round 1 with the selection of TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Here's more from Schrager:
"The Chiefs made it work with what they had at wideout last year and envision big production from some young pass catchers going forward. But if Johnston's still available at No. 31, I could see Brett Veach pouncing on a big, physical wideout with moves."
CBS Sports (Josh Edwards) (April 20): Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
CBS Sports analyst Josh Edwards believes that Kansas City will add to its offensive line with the No. 31 overall pick, as he penciled Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones to the Chiefs to close out the first round. Here's what Edwards wrote about the selection:
"If Kansas City is not aggressive in adding some help to the offensive line, teams between now and their next selection are going to pounce on the opportunity and take all of the best talent off the board. The Chiefs take matters into their own hands by adding Dawand Jones."
The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer) (April 21): Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
Vinnie Iyer from The Sporting News also sent an offensive tackle to Kansas City in his latest mock, but he instead went with Oklahoma left tackle Anton Harrison. Here's what Iyer had to say about the pick:
"The Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor to replace Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle but need to address the right side after also losing Andrew Wylie in free agency. Harrison is a sound run blocker with plus athleticism to get better in pass protection."
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew) (April 20): Georgia Tech EDGE Keion White
Former All-Pro tailback and current NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew has the Chiefs adding to their defense in Round 1, sending Georgia Tech edge rusher Keion White to Kansas City. Here's more from Jones-Drew:
"The Chiefs find Frank Clark's replacement, nabbing a big, athletic edge rusher who is still raw but has all the tools to learn under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo."
Pro Football Focus (Mike Renner) (April 19): Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Draft Analyst Mike Renner from Pro Football Focus also has the Chiefs taking an edge rusher in the first round, but he slotted Kansas City native and former K-State star Felix Anudike-Uzomah to the defending Super Bowl champions. Here's Renner's analysis:
"The tackle class is likely too depleted at this point to look there so the Chiefs continue to try to bolster their pass-rush long term. Steve Spagnuolo's "type" for defensive ends looks a lot like Anudike-Uzomah's physical profile."
ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr. & Todd McShay) (April 18): Iowa State EDGE Will McDonald IV
The duo of Kiper and McShay alternated making selections in their latest mock draft, with Kiper making the Chiefs' selection at No. 31. Here's more on his pick, which ended up being Iowa State pass-rusher Will McDonald IV:
"Here's another team that can afford to take the best prospect available. The Chiefs selected defensive end George Karlaftis in Round 1 last year, and you can think of McDonald as a complement to Karlaftis' skill set. McDonald is a speed rusher who will wreck offensive tackles in pass situations."
