Chiefs' Plan For Former First-Round Pick is a Total Waste

Brett Veach has done a masterful job in recent history with the NFL Draft and I anticipate he'll hit another home run in the 2024 draft later this month.

2023 first-round selection Felix Anudike-Uzomah saw limited playing time in the 2023 season and the recent re-signing of DE Mike Danna makes it difficult to imagine many snaps for the former Kansas State Wildcat.

I'm not in a position to question Veach, especially not after two consecutive Super Bowl wins, but was the 2023 first-rounder a bad pick?

Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah Has Limited Path to Playing Time

I want to be clear that this isn't an indictment on Anudike-Uzomah as a player or his potential future. Instead, it looks like Veach had a rare mistake with one of the most valuable commodities in a franchise's possession: a first-round pick.

With Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu already in the fold as proven pass rushers, where exactly does Felix fit? If he's not making an on-field contribution through two years, why would you spend a first-round pick on him?

I still believe in Anudike-Uzomah's future and it's possible he earns his pedigree this year. However, significant playing time for the young player would require a step back from other established veterans. If you're imagining a "perfect" year for the Chiefs, it's difficult to see where Anudike-Uzomah fits.

Maybe Veach couldn't predict that Danna would be such an effective player or that Omenihu would get seven sacks in 11 games. That's fair. Even still, the pick looks like a mistake with few paths to redemption.

I'm optimistic about Anudike-Uzomah's future, though it's hard to see the selection being justified barring injuries to other key pieces.

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