(610 Sports) – Be sure to check out the Character Concerns Podcast on 610 Sports.com or wherever you get your podcast each and every Tuesday morning. All draft all the time with a KC spin on the events in Kansas City. The mocks will be a team effort from the Character Concerns Podcast–myself (Jay Binkley) Nick Schwerdt and Chris Uno Cero. Kansas City Sports Commission President and CEO Kathy Nelson joined us for last week's episode on what fans can expect at the draft!
The Chiefs have 10 picks this year. Brett Veach has drafted extremely well. 21/22 players drafted are on the roster or practice squad.
NFL DRAFT 2023
Rd. 1 pick 31 -WR JALIN HYATT 6’0” 176” TENNESSEE
I debated between going with offensive tackle or edge rusher here, but ultimately I decided to go with my gut with a wide receiver. I don’t think this receiver class is as strong as in recent years, but Hyatt is a risk worth taking at the end of the first. He possesses game-breaking speed that will put even the fastest DBs on their heels.
At 6-0 and just 176 pounds, his lack of size is going to scare teams off of him in the first round. He’s a work in project, but the Chiefs simply can’t ignore the massive upside at a position of need.
- Nick Schwerdt
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Top-end speed creates tension for defensive coordinators.
• Run game will see lighter boxes out of defense’s respect for his explosiveness.
• Tears into cushions and rockets past off-man coverage.
• Maintains spacing from physical coverage getting into the route.
• Runs focused vertical routes at crisp angles.
• Glides into acceleration mode at route stems to separate.
• Gets pitch-and-catch opportunities underneath against off-man.
• Finished second in FBS with 15 receiving touchdowns.
• Willing and effective as a perimeter blocker.
Rd. 2 pick 63 -TE TUCKER KRAFT 6’5” 254 LBS SOUTH DAKOTA STATE.
SAME SCHOOL AND SAME ROUND THAT DALLAS GOEDERT WENT. NOAH GRAY HAS REALLY DEVELOPED FOR THE CHIEFS BUT THEY ARE SO TIGHT END HEAVY WITH 2 OR 3 TE’S. OUTSIDE THE QB THE TE HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION FOR THE CHIEFS. HAVE TO EVENTUALLY GROOM THE GUY TO TAKE OVER TO KELCE AND THIS DRAFT IS A BIG TIGHT END DRAFT/ TUCKER CAN REALLY GET THE YARDS AFTER THE CATCH AND A GOOD BLOCKER. HE CAN LINE UP ANYWHERE BUT HIS ATHLETICISM IN THE RUN GAME AND EXCELLENT AFTER THE CATCH HAS SOLD ME. THIS IS THE LAST PICK IN THE 2ND ROUND AND WORTH THE GRAB IF STILL THERE.
– JAY BINKLEY
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Thick frame with plus athleticism.
• Faster than he looks when opening his stride.
• Dexterity to rescue throws behind him.
• Absorbs contact and maintains focus through the catch.
• Transitions quickly from catch to run on short stop routes.
• Puts in the effort to sustain and drive the block.
• Easy adjustments in space to collect move blocks.
• Expects to put extra yardage in the books after the catch.
Rd. 3 pick 95 -CB TREVIUS HODGES-TOMLINSON 5’8” 178 LBS. TCU
The Chiefs are at risk of losing L’Jarius Sneed next offseason. Unless they sign him to an extension soon, I think we know what the outcome is there. So it’s smart for the Chiefs to get a year ahead of the problem by taking one of the best athletes at his position in this draft class.
Hodges-Tomlinson is the kind of player Spags dreams about in his secondary. The nephew of HOF RB LaDainian Tomlinson has 4.41 speed, a 39” vertical, and an 11’ broad jump, which all rank top 10 in the CB class. He projects more as a slot corner because of his size (5’8 178), but could also play the coveted “3rd S” role that Spags loves to run. Originally projected as a 1st round talent before the season, he fell due to concerns with size and discipline. Could be a steal in the 3rd round
- Chris Uno Cero
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• One of the more explosive athletes in the draft.
• Twitchy, agile and a voracious competitor in coverage.
• Allowed 34.6 percent completion rate when targeted in 2022, per PFF.
• Sudden feet allow him to slide and shade the release.
• Can smother short and intermediate stop routes.
• Rockets forward to attack catch point with closing burst.
• Posted 41 passes defensed in four seasons with TCU, including 18 in 2022.
• Scrappy tackler stepping downhill in run support.
Rd. 4 pick 122 -DE YAYA DIABY 6’3” 263 LBS. LOUISVILLE
At this point in the draft I’ve got to grab someone to bolster the defensive front, and Diaby is the perfect fit for Steve Spanguolo’s defense. He profiles as a 4-3 end but at 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds he’s undersized by NFL standards. However, Diaby makes up for it with head-turning athleticism.
At this year’s combine, he registered a 4.51 40-yard dash (98th percentile), a 37-inch vertical (94th percentile), and a 1.56 10-yard split (96th percentile). Diaby possesses burst and agility that you simply don’t see for players at his position. He’s a bit old for his class and will have some work to do, but Diaby’s athleticism makes him an attractive prospect this late in the draft.
- Nick Schwerdt
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Gets out of stance and up the field in a hurry.
• Lateral burst works well for him in gaming rush fronts.
• Effective setting blockers into picks on twist loops.
• Uses punch-and-pull technique to yank blockers off-balance.
• Separates at point of attack with sharp punch into full extension.
• Finds the football through contact and movement.
• Short-area acceleration to chase down his targets.
Rd. 4 pick 134 -DL CAMERON YOUNG 6’3” 304 LBS. MISSISSIPPI STATE
JUST 1 PICK AWAY FROM THE FIFTH ROUND AND ANOTHER SEC DEFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE CHIEFS. THEY CAN LOOK FOR CHRIS JONES TO MENTOR THE YOUNGER MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOG. THIS WILL BE ANOTHER PIECE IN THE ROTATION ON THE DEFENSIVE LINE. THIS YEAR SAW THE CHIEFS RUN DEFENSE GO FROM 21ST TO 8TH. CAMERON YOUNG HAS VERY LONG ARMS AND WOULD BE PERFECT KNOCKING DOWN THE BALL AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE WHICH IS SOMETHING THE CHIEFS DO WELL. HE HAS 4 PASSES DEFENDED THE LAST 2 YEARS AND AN INTERCEPTION. I REALLY LIKE THE ROTATIONAL POTENTIAL.
– JAY BINKLEY
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Rare arm length for a defensive tackle.
• High win rate getting into the blocker with first hands.
• Rides zone blocks with good pacing and control to maintain his run fit.
• Unlocks hips/ankles to drop sturdy anchor against double teams.
• Does the dirty work to allow linebackers to flow freely.
• Impressive shed-to-tackle transitions.
Rd. 5 pick 166 -WR BRYCE FORD-WHEATON 6’4” 221 LBS. WEST VIRGINIA
When you get to Day 3, you gotta take some shots at great athletes with upside. Brett Veach and Andy Reid know that full well, and have been able to get some hits with guys like Tyreek Hill, Trey Smith, and Jaylen Watson. Bryce Ford-Wheaton meets that criteria.
When I was watching the Pitt-WVU game from Week 1, I was watching for Pitt EDGE Habakkuk Baldonado. But the guy that really jumped off the screen for me was Bryce Ford-Wheaton. He dominated at the Combine. Among WRs: 4th fastest 40 time (4.38), highest vertical (41”), and 3rd fastest 20-yd shuttle (4.15). He also has the size many teams covet, but it’s all about the athleticism. He has the potential to be a starter in this league, and the talent to be great if he puts in the work.
– Chris Uno Cero
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Big frame with plus wingspan.
• Good physicality at the top of the route.
• Uses frame to shield and catch through contact.
• Uses hand fighting to free himself for late separation.
• Jump-ball specialist with strong hands and focus.
• Length to reach high outside the frame and bring it in.
Rd. 6 pick 178 -OL LUKE HAGGARD 6’7” 297 LBS. INDIANA
This is about the time of the draft when the Chiefs like to take a flyer on an offensive lineman. Two years ago it was Trey Smith in Round 6. Last year it was Darian Kennard in Round 5. This time around I have them going with Luke Haggard out of Indiana. Haggard’s physical profile won’t jump off the page at you, but he has the agility and mobility to become a useful utility on the line for Kansas City. He is long and lean and explodes off the line of scrimmage. He may not have the raw power that you look for at tackle, but his ability to get to the second level with his blocks and solid all-around technique make me wonder if he could be yet another steal on the offensive line for Brett Veach.
- Nick Schwerdt
From CBSSPORTS.COM:
Strengths:
• Disciplined eyes to pick up loopers
• Long arms and good length
• Looks for work when disengaged
• Patient into his pass arc
• Hands remain high and tight
Rd. 6 pick 217 -QB STETSON BENNETT 5’11” 192 LBS. GEORGIA
SOME MIGHT CONSIDER THIS A HUGE STRETCH BUT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS THROW DARTS AT QB’S. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT BACKUP FOR MAHOMES AND IT’S A PICK THAT IS ALMOST IN THE 7TH ROUND ANYWAY. THE PICK IS JUST ONE FROM THE 7TH ROUND AND I DO THINK HE DESERVES TO BE DRAFTED. SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME MVP, 2-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION AND MVP OF THE LAST 2 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.
AVERAGED ALMOST 309 YARDS PASSING A GAME AND A VERY GOOD RUNNER FOR A QB. HAD 10 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS TO GO WITH HIS 27 PASSING. HE ALSO RANKED 6TH IN THE NATION IN PASSING YARDS AND EARNED A TRIP TO THE HEISMAN TROPHY CEREMONY WHERE HE FINISHED 4TH. STETSON IS A REAL WINNER WHO COULD BE IN THE LEAGUE FOR A LONG TIME.
- JAY BINKLEY
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Confidence and focus appear to elevate in the biggest games.
• Posted 308.8 passing yards per game with a completion rate of 67.7 percent and TD-INT ratio of 19:3 while going 5-1 over last six postseason games.
• Able to scan progressions across the entire field.
• Moves his feet with his eyes for throw readiness.
• No trouble coming off of primary read if it isn’t there.
• Pump fakes to freeze cornerback on high/low concepts.
• Makes throws with excellent anticipation from the pocket.
• Sacked just 24 times over the past two seasons, per PFF.
• Athletic with very good speed once he becomes a runner.
Rd. 7 pick 249 -FB HUNTER LUEPKE 6’1” 230 LBS. NORTH DAKOTA STATE
With Michael Burton making the trip to Mile High, the Chiefs could use a replacement at a position that’s become pretty sparse around the league, but one the team values.
Luepke can do everything. He ran for 619 yds on 98 atts (6.3 ypc), caught 14 passes for 196 yds, and scored 13 total TDs in 2022. He won’t get that kind of usage in the Chiefs’ backfield, but he looks like he can make the most of the few touches he should get. He could be a sneaky contributor on late downs and in goalline situations with his skillset.
- Chris Uno Cero
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Above average athletic ability and explosiveness for position.
• Versatility could allow for expanded usage.
• Continues to churn legs through initial contact as runner.
• Very capable receiving threat out of the backfield.
• Impressive route savvy to create space.
• Plays with sticky hands and plus ball-tracking.
• Special teams experience in all four phases.
Rd. 7 pick 250 -RB EVAN HULL 5’10” 209 LBS. NORTHWESTERN
I wasn’t convinced Hull would slide to the 7th round. But he did, so I’m in. He’s an undersized runner who projects as a rotational back in the NFL, but that’s perfectly fine with Isiah Pacheco taking the reigns for Kansas City’s rushing attack. Hull has some serious giddy up to his game and is a natural pass catcher that should complement Pacheco nicely. The Chiefs’ offense brutalized defenses with short underneath passes last season, and Hull could add a weapon to Reid and Mahomes arsenal.
- Nick Schwerdt
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Strengths
• Compact runner with muscular build.
• Posted 55 catches for 546 yards in 2022.
• Takes on contact with balance and strength.
• Runs with north/south energy once he hits the gas.
• Able to line up and run sharp routes from the slot.
• Catches cleanly and is able to break tackles after the grab.
From Lance Zierlein NFL.COM:
Give us a follow on Twitter for the latest:
610 Sports KC: https://twitter.com/610SportsKC
Jay: https://twitter.com/3guysinagarage
Nick: https://twitter.com/nick_schwerdt
Chris: https://twitter.com/ceroto60
Thanks for checking out the Character Concerns Mock 1.0 and the podcast
- Jay Binkley