Before the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs campaign kicks off with training camp next week, I want to make sure Chiefs fans are also prepared for the college football season.
Last season, I previewed the 2023 NFL Draft by doing a full first-round mock draft. In that, I expected the Chiefs to pick defensive end from Felix Anodic-Ozuma Kansas State Because I admired the possibility, and it was clearly appropriate. By April of this year, general manager Brett Fitch had apparently come to a similar conclusion.
This year, I wanted to dive deeper into what bosses can be looking for and savor some of the possibilities. Before we get into the names, let’s define which positions bosses should prioritize.
Needed positions for the 2024 off-season
When you look at the contractual situation of the positions most critical to the team’s success, chiefs have a good basis for security.
- A deal for quarterback Patrick Mahomes through 2031, of course.
- All of the team’s top four receivers are under contract through at least this season and next; Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice until 2025 and 2026, respectively. Additionally, Travis Kelsey’s tight end deal expires in 2026.
- The team signed offensive tackle Joanne Taylor to a contract through 2026 this offseason.
- The Chiefs used consecutive first-round picks on defensive end, then added freight forwarder Charles Omeniho this spring on a three-year deal.
- Although L’Jarius Sneed is an unrestricted free agent in 2024, Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, and Jaylen Watson are signed through 2025.
The glaring omission from this list is left tackle. Taylor projects to play properly this season and should stay there if that comes to fruition. Veteran Donovan Smith is here on a one-year deal, and will make room for 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris as an option. Either way, the team should look seriously at that spot.
Bosses also need to think defensive tackle, Whether or not they agree to an extension for Chris Jones before next season remains to be seen. Rookie Keondre Coburn is the only one under a long-term contract, and he’ll have a very specific role. In today’s NFL, the team needs more passing juice than just Jones on the inside.
At the end of the day, bosses should always look seriously at skill positions when attacking: Wide receiver, running back and tight end. It is important to renew the play-makers around Mahomes, and there is no guarantee of the expected progression of the young pass-makers in the squad.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the interesting names that are expected to be at the top of next year’s category:
BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia
If you want a strong recommendation for BYU Offensive tackle Kinsley Samataya in next year’s draft, just ask his cousin: Detroit LionsRight tackle Penny Sewell.
The two grew up together in Utah, so when Sewell became a star at the University of Oregon, Samataya followed him there. However, he returned home to play at BYU after one year and promptly excelled at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2022. At 6’6″ and 315 lbs., he hasn’t allowed a sack in excess of 337 passes–snaps a block.
He will face a new challenge at tackle left in 2023, but he didn’t seem phased out by the challenge when interviewed exclusively by pff.
“It doesn’t make much difference for me to be a left tackle because I was a left tackle growing up,” he said. “Right tackle was different for me. I can play anywhere, honestly. Throw me at guard. Throw me up the middle.”
Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy
Among the guaranteed receivers the Chiefs have on the roster, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is one that could reasonably be released in the upcoming off-season. On paper, his role in the unit could be fulfilled by Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
ESPN Project Analyst Jordan Reed He has already mocked the deserving of the superiors for this reason. Worthy is listed at an almost alarming 164 pounds, but is 6’1″ and can fly the field. He led all FBS players in goals on passes traveling 20 yards or more downfield in 2022, but he converted just the 44 goals to nine passes and four touchdowns.
If he becomes a more efficient playmaker this season, he’ll have uncanny game speed to make him a priority target for the Chiefs.
Miami (FL) Defensive Tackle Leonard Taylor
At this time, the Chiefs did not have an extension with Chris Jones. Whether this prospect pairs him up or replaces him, Miami defensive tackle Leonard Taylor is intriguing.
At a listed 6’3″ and 305 pounds, Taylor suddenly explodes, terrorizing guards, and focusing on passes. he He only caught three sacks in 2022 But he was second only to defensive tackle Pittsburgh’s Caliga Kansi last year in the pressure rate among the inside linemen.
Taylor would be Jones’ predecessor in his role as hacker from Gap B.
The very early road 2024 NFL Mock Draft
All three possibilities I just described project towards the latter part of the first round. We know that could change, but I think the team would be happy if one of those particular players was available with the 32nd pick in next year’s draft.
Kingsley Suamataia has all the benefits of a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Large (6-6, 315)
He did not allow a sack on 337 pass-blocking shots in 2022
It means as a blockerWatch RT (#78) here kick the defender out of the club.pic.twitter.com/3yyO11mVGo
– Max Chadwick (@MaxChadwickCFB) July 7, 2023
With my very early prediction, I believe the Chiefs would like to complete their long-running offensive position with a prospect of like Kingsley Samatya. His size, height, and mobility skills make him a good fit for the bosses offense.
He’ll only be a redshirt sophomore in the fall, which could give way to some growing pains keeping him from shooting off the board. Either way, if he enters the draft, he appears to have the attributes and tools the Chiefs would like for future tackle lefties.