Kansas City Chiefs 7-round mock 3.0: Returning to defense in first round with this pick

We’re two weeks away from the 2023 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 27–29 at Union Station in Kansas City, so it’s time to reveal The Star’s third of four Chiefs mock drafts.

The Star previously rolled out Mock 1.0 and Mock 2.0, and each exercise produced options at various position groups for the Chiefs to consider when they are officially on the clock.

Here’s our next look at 10 players, all of whom could fit with the reigning Super Bowl-defending champions:

Round 1 (31st overall): DE BJ Ojulari, LSU

The Star’s Mock 1.0 had the Chiefs selecting a pass rusher at this spot, and we’re back in the well with the 6-foot-2, 248-pound Ojulari.

The former LSU Tiger might be asked to pack on a few extra pounds in the NFL, but there’s no denying his production in the highly competitive SEC, where he was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2022.

Ojulari finished his college career at LSU appearing in 31 games, notching 128 tackles (25.5 for a loss), 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two passes defended.

This selection addresses a need at pass rusher because the Chiefs released veteran Frank Clark during the offseason. Veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap remains an unrestricted free agent.

Ojulari, one of the top pass rushers in the 2023 draft, would be an ideal piece to complement George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu at the defensive end position.

• Mock 1.0 selection: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State

• Mock 2.0 selection: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College

Round 2 (63rd): WR Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss

It was tempting to go with a wide receiver in the first round, but ultimately the Chiefs’ history reflects a preference to get their guy in later rounds.

In fact, the Chiefs have selected just five wide receivers in the opening round, including none since Andy Reid arrived in 2013. The last time the Chiefs used a first-round pick on a wide receiver was in 2011 when the team selected Jon Baldwin.

The second round, however, appears to be Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s spot in recent years. In 2019, Veach selected Mecole Hardman (56th overall), followed by Skyy Moore (54th overall) in 2022.

Let’s follow the trend with this selection of the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Mingo, who projects as a second-round pick and fills a need in the wake of Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster signing with other teams during free agency. Mingo is regarded as a good route runner and capable of gaining yards after the catch in intermediate routes, both pluses in Reid’s version of the West Coast offense. He also has comparable size to Smith-Schuster, who tips the scales at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds.

Mingo, who posted a 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, finished his college career with 112 catches for 1,758 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns. He added two punt returns for 13 yards.

His presence would help round out the Chiefs’ wide receiver corps, which is currently anchored by Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Moore. The Chiefs also added Richie James during free agency and brought back Justin Watson to bolster the position group.

• Mock 1.0 selection: DT Mazi Smith, Michigan

• Mock 2.0 selection: DE Derick Hall, Auburn

Round 3 (95th from Miami): T Cody Mauch, North Dakota State

The Chiefs are likely to give Lucas Niang, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract, the first opportunity at right tackle. But it won’t hurt to have a Plan B if Niang doesn’t outright claim the job before the start of the 2023 regular season.

The 6-foot-5, 302-pound Mauch would provide competition at the position against Niang, Darian Kinnard, the Chiefs’ fifth-round pick in 2022, and even Prince Tega Wanogho, who received a qualifying tender as an exclusive-rights free agent.

Mauch, who projects as either a second- or third-round pick, provides some upside because of his versatility to play both tackle spots, which he did at various points in his college career. He could also make a move inside, which would bolster depth at the guard position.

• Mock 1.0 selection: WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest

• Mock 2.0 selection: T Blake Freeland, BYU

Round 4 (122nd, from Miami): S Sydney Brown, Illinois

On paper, the Chiefs appear set at safety with Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Mike Edwards and Deon Bush. The latter two, however, are under one-year contracts, so it might be wise to strengthen the position group by adding a player on a rookie contract.

The 5-foot-10, 211-pound Brown, who projects as either a third- or fourth-round pick, offers flexibility to play both safety positions, or even nickel cornerback in a pinch. He was a tackling machine in five seasons at Illinois, totaling 320 takedowns to go along with 10 interceptions, 16 passes defensed and two sacks.

• Mock 1.0 selection: T/G Jaxon Kirkland, Washington

• Mock 2.0 selection: RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane

Round 4 (134th): RB Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

OK, let’s get the obvious out of the way: Vaughn measured 5-foot-5, 179 pounds at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

But forget the size debate for a minute or two and focus on production, which is what Vaughn did for K-State over three seasons. The former Wildcat star left college with impressive numbers, amassing 4,484 total career yards from scrimmage (3,604 rushing, 1,280 receiving) and 43 touchdowns in 37 games.

Vaughn fills a need because it remains to be seen what the Chiefs do with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is eligible for a fifth-year option. If the Chiefs decide Edwards-Helaire isn’t in their future plans alongside Isiah Pacheco beyond the 2023 regular season, the team must address the position group sooner than later.

The selection of Vaughn provides the Chiefs with a versatile player to complement Pacheco’s physical running style.

• Mock 1.0 selection: RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma

• Mock 2.0 selection: DT Colby Wooden, Auburn

Round 5 (166th): TE Josh Whyle, Cincinnati

The Star is digging in with the selection of Whyle, who makes a second appearance in this four-part series of mock drafts.

Why? Because it makes sense.

Travis Kelce is still on the team and he’s continuing to produce at an elite level. Look no further than his NFL record seventh-straight 1,000-yard receiving campaign for a tight end as evidence. But no athlete can outrun Father Time, and Kelce turns 34 on Oct. 5.

The Chiefs have Noah Gray as the heir-apparent to Kelce, while Jody Fortson, who received a qualifying tender as an exclusive-rights free agent, and Blake Bell are back for at least another season. But it wouldn’t hurt to add another tight end to the mix, especially when considering the amount of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) — which the Chiefs call “Tiger Personnel” — the team deploys every game.

Whyle finished his college career with 88 catches for 1,062 yards and 15 touchdowns.

• Mock 1.0 selection: TE Josh Whyle, Cincinnati

• Mock 2.0 selection: DE Viliami Fehoko, San Jose State

Round 6 (178th from Miami): DL Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky

The Chiefs need a long-term plan at defensive tackle alongside Chris Jones, and they find a potential solution at this draft spot.

The 6-foot-5, 331-pound Martin is a mountain of a man, and he’s more than capable of holding his own in the middle as a space eater. The Chiefs won’t need Martin to become a three-down player because of the multiple defensive line rotations within the scheme. But he addresses a need for the future because Derrick Nnadi is back on a one-year deal for a second-straight year.

• Mock 1.0 selection: CB Cory Trice, Purdue

• Mock 2.0 selection: OT Carter Warren, Pittsburgh

Round 6 (217^th, compensatory): C/G Trevor Downing, Iowa State

The Chiefs covet versatile offensive linemen, and the team would have it with the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Downing, who can play all three interior positions.

Downing’s presence would bolster competition for the all-important backup spots.

• Mock 1.0 selection: DL Shakel Brown, Troy

• Mock 2.0 selection: RB Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina

Round 7 (249th): CB Darrell Luter Jr., South Alabama

At this stage of the draft, teams around the league are often seeking developmental prospects with a view to contributing on special teams.

The 6-foot, 189-pound Luter posted a 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, and he won’t be expected to start because the Chiefs loaded up at the cornerback position in the 2022 draft.

• Mock 1.0 selection: WR Antoine Green, North Carolina

• Mock 2.0 selection: QB Max Duggan, TCU

Round 7 (250th): DL Jacob Slade, Michigan State

Adding a quarterback could make sense in this round, but the Chiefs spent time grooming Shane Buechele, who received a qualifying tender as an exclusive-rights free agent, the past few seasons to be Patrick Mahomes’ primary backup. The Chiefs have also protected their investment in Buechele by keeping him on the active 53-player roster to prevent another team from poaching him.

So, let’s balance out the mock draft by returning to defense with the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Slade, who adds competition to the interior defensive line. Slade finished his college career with 86 tackles (11.5 for a loss) and four sacks.

The selection gives the Chiefs a balanced draft, with five offensive players and five defensive players.

• Mock 1.0 selection: S Jerrick Reed II, New Mexico

• Mock 2.0 selection: FB Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State