Kansas City Chiefs mock draft: Making picks to defend Super Bowl title

Kansas City Chiefs 2023 mock draft: Rounds 4-5

Pick 122: Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green

It may not feel like the biggest loss, but the Kansas City Chiefs did finally get a big breakout year in 2022 from former third-round pick Khalen Saunders, who departed in free agency for the New Orleans Saints. Saunders signed a three-year deal to join the Saints, so perhaps we could see the Chiefs dip into the defensive line on Day 3 to try and find a long-term replacement.

Karl Brooks has some of the most impressive productivity out of any defensive lineman in this class, racking up 17.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons at Bowling Green. He may not have tested off the charts, but he plays hard and he plays fast.

Pick 134: Rejzohn Wright, CB, Oregon State

A fast riser in the 2023 NFL Draft it seems, Rejzohn Wright is a worthwhile candidate for any team on late day two or early on day three to take a shot on. At 6-foot-2, he’s got tremendous length for the outside cornerback position and he turned that into plenty of ball production for the Beavers with 17 passes broken up and four interceptions the last two seasons. The Chiefs have been hitting on gem after gem in the defensive backfield in recent years, and this guy could be the next in line.

Pick 166: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford

The Kansas City Chiefs may have a need for a backup quarterback in this year’s draft after Chad Henne’s retirement, riding off into the sunset. The question is, what kind of backup will they target to be the guy behind Patrick Mahomes? It seems like the Chiefs have preferred “boring” guys at this spot rather than playmaker types, which is why I chose Tanner McKee over Dorian Thompson-Robinson given the chance to take either of them.

McKee is a see-it, throw-it type of quarterback, and that can play well for a coach like Andy Reid, especially if you just need him to come in as a reliever for Mahomes. You need someone who’s going to master the offense, make the easy throws and reads, and keep things on schedule.

Pick 178: Brenton Strange, TE, Penn State

One of the most underrated players at arguably the deepest position in this draft, we finish off this Kansas City Chiefs mock draft scenario with arguably the steal of the class. Brenton Strange doesn’t have tremendous receiving production from his time at Penn State but you watch him play and you’re going to see a good athlete, a capable blocker, and someone who is going to outplay his draft status at the next level.