‘Let’s not get cute here’: Why Chiefs took K-State’s Anudike-Uzomah in 2023 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kansas State edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the 31st and final pick of the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station.

Anudike-Uzomah fits a need and a Chiefs prototype at a position of need. He has length and size — 6-foot-4, 225 pounds — that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo covets. Anudike-Uzomah, according to Pro Football Focus’ Big Board, also is “one of the best edge benders in the draft class.”

KC had a need at edge rusher after releasing Frank Clark while not yet re-signing Carlos Dunlap. Both remain free agents.

“We love his ability to rush the passer and play the run,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday night at the Chiefs facility. “He does both very well.”’

Reid said the Chiefs had a chance to hang out with Anudike-Uzomah during the team’s local pro day. Anudike-Uzomah, a Kansas City native, grew up as a Chiefs fan and attended training camp as a kid.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to probably wake up and check my phone to make sure I’m still on the Kansas City Chiefs,” Anudike-Uzomah told reporters with a smile on a Thursday night Zoom call. “It’s honestly surreal.”

Anudike-Uzomah went to Lee’s Summit High School. He finished his college career tied for sixth in K-State history with 20.5 sacks.

Reid said the Chiefs had offers to trade out of the 31st pick but chose to stick with taking Anudike-Uzomah. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said some of the conversations revolved around trading back into the mid-40s, where KC would potentially have then wanted to trade back up to take a player like Anudike-Uzomah.

“We thought, ‘Let’s not get cute here,’” Veach said. “There’s a guy that we like at a position that we need. And we’ll just go ahead and make the pick, and I’m certainly glad we did.”

Veach said part of the draw for Anudike-Uzomah was his age; he was one of the youngest players in the draft at 21.

“We’re excited for Steve (Spagnuolo) and for (defensive line coach) Joe Cullen to get their hands on him now and continue that growth and trajectory uphill,” Veach said. “But again, anytime you can add a premium position, one of the youngest players in the draft, and have that to work with for a long time is something we’re excited about.”

Veach said the Chiefs also had conversations earlier in the round about potentially trading up, but “the price was pretty steep at the time.” Some of that, Veach said, was because some talks were with KC’s competitors in the AFC.

“Having picks the next couple days — having a 2, a 3, two 4s — we still want to deal in volume here. We want to get some good players,” Veach said. “We thought it was the best fit to keep those picks and to have an arsenal the next few days.”