How are our 2023 rookies doing?
 

2023 Chiefs Draft Class

Felix Anudike-Uzomah Kansas State · DE
Rashee Rice SMU · WR
Wanya Morris Oklahoma · OL
Chamarri Conner Virginia Tech · DB
BJ Thompson Stephen F. Austin · DE
Keondre Coburn Texas · DT
Nic Jones Ball State · CB

How have they done? Apart from Rashee Rice (really impressed) and a few FAU tackles I haven't really noticed any of the other rookies. Admittedly, I'm not the most observant person when it comes to O-linemen and D-linemen. I'm wanting to know how you all think they're doing because I don't have a clue.

I’ve barely seen any of them on the field yet….but in reality, on a young Super Bowl team, who exactly are they going to replace for playing time?

Are the rookies failing or are the chiefs just really deep? You know the answer.

Let them learn and filter in as needed.

Part of having a damn loaded roster is that it’s hard for young guys to find the field.

Our weakest position (WR) has presented a massive opportunity for Rice. He’s done really well.

Looks like a top 5 rookie WR this year. Right there behind guys like Zay Flowers.

Danna and Karlaftis are playing really well. I'm not worried at all about Felix's lack of playing time. He HAS flashed when he's been in the game, too.

Morris actually came into the game when Smith had to go out for a play or two, not Niang. That's a good sign for him.

I think I've seen Conner in there once or twice? He's done well, I want to say? Thompson is whatever. Nic Jones is injured.

Coburn, unfortunately, is dead to me. Die, Donk scum.

Wanya came into the game and didn't get his ass beat by Mack so that's a good sign.

Veach is a criminal mastermind on par with Lex Luthor and Carlo Gambino...they're doing GREAT

VERY! :thumb:

Yeah, Wanya coming in first at left tackle is a great sign for him.

Rashee Rice, everyone can see he looks like a hit.

I also was a huge fan of FAU and expect him to get more snaps as we get deeper into the year.

That was such a brilliant play call too. Immediately went right over Bosa’s head with that pass cuz Andy knew he’d be aggressively attacking the LT.

Rice is a hit, Conner looks pretty good the rest don't really play much

For what, 2 plays?

Oh, I assumed that it was Prince who came in. That was Wanya?

It looks like Prince is on the injured list. I missed that development.

Overall, the group has been pretty quiet other than Rice looking good in limited opportunities. But that's to be expected. Rookies often have a hard time cracking the lineup on a Super Bowl champion team. They'll come along.

Keondre Coburn got picked up on waivers by the Broncos

FAU is 21 years old too. Lots of room for growth.

BJ Thompson has all the speed and needs to fill out.

Great! Rice is a stud in the making and everyone else is learning the league and the system. Coburn is gone but whatever on that.

DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah is showing all kinds of Karlaftis-esque growth. He looks nimble, powerful, with good athleticism. He's in a position right now where he is behind veterans and can take his development at a steady pace, rather than just spamming snaps like Karlaftis had to. I remain high on FAU.

WR Rashee Rice is every bit the Pro Bowl caliber talent I thought he'd be. If anything, the Chiefs need to continue the practice of having Mahomes throw it around with draft prospects, because if the rumors of Mahomes saying Rice was like "Quentin Johnson, but better" then you're going to need to continue to roll with that talent.

OT Wanya Morris looked not super great in preseason, but he has every element you need to succeed in the Andy Heck system. Time will tell if that's what ends up happening, but he hasn't seen any serious playing time yet.

S Chamarri Conner looks to be the hyper-aggressive box safety that Spags covets, but is likely a role player longterm.

DE BJ Thompson shouldn't be judged just yet, but he's just going to need another offseason in an NFL strength and conditioning program before we can even judge what he's capable of. This season is for working on technique and learning the defense. This offseason will be about getting his body up to NFL caliber. And then we can begin the judging.

DT Keondre Coburn looked good to me in the preseason, and got a few snaps in the Lions game prior to Jones returning. He needs more time, but I was encouraged by what I saw. I think it was a poor decision for the Chiefs to cut him, and I'm sad he's a Bronco.

CB Nic Jones got really good reviews in training camp, and I think he has the upside to be an eventual starting-caliber talent at that coveted slot position -- too bad for him, an All Pro corner is already manning that spot. I imagine he'll peter around on special teams this year before showing what he's worth next training camp.

I just can't help believin' in BJ Thompson

I can see Rice becoming Elite and we get to watch his growth. He can be our number 1 by next season if not by the playoffs.

FAU - has flashed and most importantly looked decent against the run which was the question. V optimistic

Rice - Excellent

Morris - ?

Connor - Didn't like the pick but hasn't looked out of place in the snaps I've seen.

Thompson - Needs about 3 years to fill out. Who knows I guess but he's probably inactive the whole year.

Coburn - Loved the pick and thought he flashed in that first game. Bummed we let him go, think it was a mistake.

Jones - ?

Also...

WHAT? We have 2023 rookies??? I thought the roster limit was just 53???

the more interesting part is that he is getting reps there at all. It means he’s jumped over everyone on the depth chart. A real good sign considering for those spot reps Reid usually prefers veterans

Who did he jump, though? Seriously.

He jumped Niang. That's not nothing, I suppose, but, yikes.

If Donovan Smith went down, I think it's far more likely you slide Taylor over and plug in Wanya at RT.

Wanya needs to be getting every opportunity to develop at LT.

So far its been depth minus Rashee Rice, who looks awesome. Thats all we've really needed thus far. The team looks really good.

Didn't even know that Coburn was gone. Seems weird to pull the plug that soon.

Ive been whining about this in every thread I can!

Felix got a handful of reps against the Chargers and even though he didn’t get any sacks, I thought he looked like he was getting off the ball quickly when I watched him.

They thought they would keep him on the practice squad when they brought Charlie O back... Denver is desperate...

Smith went out Sunday for a couple of plays and Wayna came in and looked serviceable.

TBH if Rice continues his trajectory I don't care much about the rest in the class. Rice as a solid WR+ Kelce + Pacheco gives Mahomes more than enough with a top 10 defense. A super bowl puts this franchise in history as a dynasty

Need FAU to come on strong down the stretch this year.

Yeah he may be ready by next year to take over the position.

I’m generally an optimist, but let’s not get crazy here.

I think this class was a preparation for the future.

-FAU will replace Danna in 2024
-Rice is replacing Juju
-Wanya as a possible Smith replacement in 2024
-Conner replaces Reid in 2024 and can do some Sneed versatility when he's gone next year too
-Thompson can do some rush package things they use for Willie Gay sometimes
-Jones will help to replace Sneed in 2024