Chiefs select edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah with 1st-round pick

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kansas State edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 31st overall.

The reigning Super Bowl champions continued their recent trend of drafting defensive players early. Kansas City selected cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis in the first round last season.

Anudike-Uzomah is the seventh and final pass-rusher drafted in the first round of this year's NFL draft.

His production blossomed in 2021 - he piled up 14.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. The Kansas City native was then named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 after recording 46 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks.

The Chiefs add another productive defensive lineman to a group that's headlined by All-Pro Chris Jones and also features Charles Omenihu and Derrick Nnadi.

Pre-draft profile

Anudike-Uzomah produced at the collegiate level to the tune of 20.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles over three years. There's no reason he can't be that sort of player under the brightest lights in the NFL. His pass-rush tool set is full of riches, with his bend, hand usage, and power having significant juice behind them. Anudike-Uzomah also demonstrates some kind of planning as he sets up tackles with his reach before unleashing an inside move. He's occasionally vulnerable to losing balance when flattening at the apex of the bend, and his play at the point of attack needs work. However, Anudike-Uzomah is nowhere close to his ceiling, but if he gets there, he could be worth his draft slot and some more.