The Kansas City Chiefs know the importance of a strong draft class. Kansas City boasted one of the best rookie groups last season, with many of its first-year players contributing on the way to a Super Bowl victory. As the franchise looks to become a dynasty, the 2023 NFL Draft could be the key to a bright future.
Holding the 31st overall pick, the Chiefs could go in several directions. There are needs along the defensive line, wide receiver and offensive tackle. While scouts aren’t especially high on the 2023 draft class, there is quality depth in the first round at positions of need for Kansas City.
Related: Kansas City Chiefs mock draft 2023
While NFL mock drafts are largely speculation, they do offer a glimpse at potential options a team could look into on draft night. Many projections have players like offensive tackle Dawand Jones, tight end Dalton Kincaid or edge rusher Will McDonald IV landing in Kansas City. However, one NFL insider believes a recent projection might be a more accurate depiction of what general manager Brett Veach wants to do.
Speaking on the recent NFL mock draft by Chad Reuter, NFL Network insider James Palmer explained why Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is a realistic potential target for the Chiefs with the 31st pick.
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“Look at what they wanted to do with this group around Patrick Mahomes, they wanted to keep it together…JuJu Smith-Schuster just got a price that they weren’t going to match. We know they’re going to add a wide receiver. A lot of people are looking at the veterans that would want to come and play with Patrick Mahomes, but I do think they look into the draft and the speed that he has is extremely remarkable and it fits what they have around him. They lost speed each of the past two years, with Tyreek Hill departing and now Mecole Hardman departing, this fits well with Travis Kelce, Sky Moore and Kadarius Toney.”
James Palmer on Jalin Hyatt as a potential draft target for the Kansas City Chiefs
Notably in the aforementioned mock draft, NFL.com has the Chiefs trading up to the 25th pick to select Hyatt. Sportsnaut isn’t quite as high on the electric wide receiver, projecting him to go 44th overall in our 2023 NFL mock draft.
Hyatt also isn’t a first-round player on Sportsnaut’s 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings, rated as the ninth-best wide receiver in the class. However, he would be an attractive option for the Chiefs and it would be one of the best situations for his long-term outlook.
Related: Jalin Hyatt scouting report
Hyatt, who averaged 18.9 yards per catch last season, is the reigning Fred Biletnikoff Award recipient. The 6-foot receiver was one of the best deep threats in college football last season and could play a similar role early in his NFL career. Just as appealing for the Chiefs, Hyatt was an effective playmaker on screen passes.
Fans will get a definitive answer on who the Chiefs will draft in 2023 in a matter of days. Even if the pick is labeled as a reach by analysts or NFL executives, Kansas City’s recent track record of identifying young talent and putting players in a great position to succeed speaks for itself.