Prospects for Chiefs to Avoid in 2023 NFL Draft

It will take a while before the Kansas City Chiefs are on the clock on the opening night of the 2023 NFL draft on April 27. As the defending AFC champions and winners of Super Bowl LVII, they aren't picking until No. 31.

However, Kansas City will be quite busy throughout the draft. It owns 10 picks, seven of which will come on the third and final day on April 29. So the Chiefs have an opportunity to stockpile a lot of young, talented players this year.

Still, it'll be important for Kansas City to take the right prospects at the right time. If it's going to have a successful showing, it can't be reaching on a player, especially when it uses its first-round selection.

Here's a look at several players the Chiefs may want to avoid in the 2023 NFL draft for various reasons.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 05: Jahmyr Gibbs of Alabama participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Not many NFL teams take running backs in the first round of the draft these days. But the Chiefs did it in 2020, when they used the No. 32 overall pick on Clyde Edwards-Helaire. They shouldn't do it again, though, even for a prospect as intriguing as Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs.

Edwards-Helaire hasn't been too productive over his first three NFL seasons, but he's still a contributor out of Kansas City's backfield. The team also has Isiah Pacheco (who impressed in his 2022 rookie season) and La'Mical Perine. So the need to draft a RB isn't too great.

Gibbs could develop into a successful NFL player. The 21-year-old impressed in his lone season with the Crimson Tide, and he should serve as an effective dual-threat back early in his career.

However, it doesn't make sense for the Chiefs to use a first-round pick on Gibbs, as they have more pressing needs. And he isn't likely to still be available when they're on the clock at No. 63 in the second round. So Kansas City should avoid taking the former Alabama standout, unless he falls considerably down the board.

Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 04: Luke Musgrave of Oregon State participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Chiefs have the best tight end in football in Travis Kelce, while Noah Gray has proved to be a serviceable backup at the position. But they could opt to capitalize on a strong incoming TE class by taking a player who could be a great No. 2 to Kelce in the offense.

However, Kansas City should wait until late in the draft if it's going to do that. It shouldn't be taking a tight end until the third day. That means it shouldn't be using one of its early picks on Oregon State's Luke Musgrave.

There aren't many tight ends in this year's class as athletic as Musgrave, if any. But there is some risk associated with the 22-year-old. He never put up big numbers for the Beavers (his single-season high in receiving yards was 304 in 2021), and he was limited to two games last year because of a knee injury.

So it just doesn't make sense for the Chiefs to target Musgrave in the draft. There are safer players at larger positions of need for Kansas City to take in the early rounds.

Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Defensive lineman Nolan Smith of Georgia speaks with the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Chiefs could benefit from bolstering their pass rush this offseason. They already have some solid players on the edges, but the unit still has room for improvement, especially if Frank Clark leaves via free agency.

Nolan Smith is an intriguing pass-rushing prospect whose stock has been on the rise in recent weeks. The former Georgia edge-rusher had an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his athleticism may allow him to have a successful pro career.

However, Smith never recorded more than 4.5 sacks in any of his four seasons with the Bulldogs. Maybe he'll post bigger totals in the NFL, but there's also a chance he won't, which is a bit of a legitimate concern. Plus, he's coming off a 2022 campaign in which he played only eight games because of a torn pectoral muscle, so there's some injury risk.

Kansas City is in a position to compete now, so it shouldn't be targeting developmental prospects. Because of that, it may make more sense for it to add a different edge-rusher in the draft.