Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has built a sterling reputation for his excellent work in the NFL Draft, frequently finding players during his tenure who can make an immediate impact.
2022 was his masterclass, landing eight impact players, highlighted by Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis. While the Chiefs are still benefiting from that great group, not every decision Veach has made has been good.
From Clyde Edwards-Helaire to Skyy Moore, there are plenty of busts that Veach needs to be held responsible for. In a surprising piece of news, one recent failed draft pick was just put on the chopping block thanks to a jersey number change.
Chiefs Rookie Ashton Gillotte Steals Felix Anudike-Uzomah's Jersey Number
In a surprise announcement, second-round pick Ashton Gilotte will wear jersey No. 97 during his rookie campaign. That number was previously held by Felix Anudike-Uzomah, which creates an interesting situation given the latter's failure to make an impact.
Despite being a beloved local star, Anudike-Uzomah hasn't performed to the level of his expectations entering the league. By any measure, he's been a failure, accumulating just three sacks in two seasons while playing a mere 20% of snaps in his rookie season and 31% during 2024. That's not what a first-round selection is supposed to do, and he's justifiably considered a bust barring a surprise turnaround.
However, this number change could inspire the 23-year-old former Kansas State star, yet it's a bad sign for his future with the organization. In all likelihood, Anudike-Uzomah will go down in the Moore lore as one of the worst draft picks of Veach's tenure.
Here's hoping this inspires him and he turns things around. Regardless, it's obvious that the organization is prioritizing Gillotte for the future. We'll see what happens, but Anudike-Uzomah is officially on the chopping block.