With the NFL draft over and rookie camps underway, it is a good time to evaluate the draft picks and see what kind of impacts the projected contributors will make.
Let’s take a look at the Chiefs draft picks and project some stats for the team’s early draftees:
Edge Rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Sacks: 7.0
Tackles for loss: 9.0
The Kansas City Chiefs have invested heavily in defense in the last two drafts with both of their first round picks going to the edge rusher position. Uzomah will likely be in a rotation opposite George Karlaftis, but could prove to be an early impact player on defense right away given his electric skillset.
Wide Receiver Rashee Rice
Catches: 40
Yards: 550
Touchdowns: 4
The Chiefs had a bit of an experiment at the wide receiver position last year in replacing Tyreek Hill, with free agent JuJu Smith-Schuster, vet Mecole Hardman, and trade addition Kadarius Toney failing to really replicate what was lost. Rashee Rice will get his opportunity to bring his own game to a new look receiver room for the Chiefs, and will be expected to put in snaps opposite of Toney and last year’s rookie receiver Skyy Moore. Rice is explosive enough to be slotted into the starting lineup, and may make a big difference early.
Offensive Tackle Wanya Morris
Sacks allowed: 7
Penalties: 9
Losing both tackles to free agency is never an easy thing to recover from, but the Chiefs are hoping Wanya Morris can be a part of the solution. He will need to earn the spot at right tackle, but it is an open competition he can win. With only 12 games under his belt, the early transition could be rough for Morris, but his physical tools could lock him in for a long time at that right tackle spot should he put it all together.
