Kansas City Chiefs 2023 Training Camp Preview
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their second Super Bowl victory in the last four years. Head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are a dynamic duo that is showing no signs of slowing down. The Chiefs are heading into the 2023 training camp as Super Bowl favorites once again. However, they lost impactful starters such as offensive tackle Orlando Brown, edge Frank Clark, wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, and wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Kansas City added free agent offensive tackles Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith as well as edge Charles Omenihu. Also, they addressed a lot of roster spots through the 2023 NFL draft. This is not their most talented roster top to bottom compared to past years. However, with a solid defense and a top-tier offense like they seem to have every year they will always be competitive. Here is the Kansas City Chiefs 2023 training camp preview.
Three Position Battles
Wide Receiver: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney
As stated the Chiefs lost two of their top wide receivers from last year. They still have their number one option in All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce as well as wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kadarius Toney returning from last year. However, one of these wide receivers will need to step up and take over the wide receiver one job.
Valdes-Scantling was an effective deep threat for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay for years. In his first year with the Chiefs last year, he finished with 42 receptions, 687 yards, and two touchdowns. However, these are far from wide receiver one numbers. He will need to drastically improve but Mahomes must have some faith in him as he had 81 targets last year. He is a talented deep threat with above-average speed which has been a formula for success for Mahomes in Kansas City. In his second year with a growing connection with Mahomes, he has the opportunity to take a big step forward.
On the other hand, Toney is the younger wide receiver with more upside. He has not made a strong impact yet as he only played two regular-season games and three playoff games with the Chiefs. However, if he stays healthy he can make waves for the Chiefs, especially with Mahomes under center. Valdes-Scantling is set to be the wide receiver one, but next year will be Toney’s opportunity to show that he can be a good wide receiver in the NFL.
Defensive End: Charles Omenihu, Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Edge Frank Clark left in free agency in the offseason leaving an open starting defensive end spot. The Chiefs picked up defensive end Omenihu from the 49ers this offseason. He has been in the league for four years but has only started ten games. However, last year with San Francisco was his best year as he finished with 20 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss. It is his job to lose as he is the veteran coming off the strongest year of his career.
However, Kansas City spent a first-round pick on defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the 2023 NFL draft. Anudike-Uzomah is a high-motor skilled pass rusher from Kansas State. He is athletic with good size but his run defense will need to improve. He did not have much starting experience in college so it will be tough for him to win the job in the 2023 training camp. However, Anudike-Uzomah has the potential to be a solid starter for the Chiefs now can he put everything together in his rookie year?
Safety: Mike Edwards, Chamarri Conner
The Chiefs’ safeties seem to be set with Justin Reid and 2022 second-round pick Bryan Cook as the starters. However, the third safety position is up for grabs and the Chiefs are not afraid to put three safeties on the field at one time. Kansas City picked up safety Mike Edwards in free agency from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This four-year veteran had 82 tackles, two interceptions, and one returned for a touchdown last year. He is a capable safety in the NFL and can easily slide into the third safety spot for the Chiefs.
However, the Chiefs drafted Chamarri Conner in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. He is a versatile player with good size, jumping ability, and solid hands. His ball skills and eyes make up for his subpar tackling and coverage skills. Conner was a four-year starter and two-time team captain but he is still significantly unpolished. Ultimately, the Chiefs traded up to take Conner so they must like what they saw in the Virginia Tech safety. This 2023 training camp position battle will be the solid veteran against the unpolished rookie with upside.
Breakout Player To Watch: Kadarius Toney
Toney is a breakout player to watch because the table is set for him to have a big year. The Chiefs vacated a lot of targets after Smith-Schuster and Hardman left. Now, Toney is healthy and one of Kansas City’s top receiving options. He is undersized, lacks desired strengths, and needs to improve his route running. However, Toney is incredibly athletic with good speed and a good change of direction to get open.
He has good hands with a solid catch radius and he has the wiggle to make plays after the catch. He has more talent than some of the wide receivers that Mahomes has had in recent years. Mahomes will throw him open and be able to unleash deep balls to give him the chance to create big plays. Toney played well in the Chiefs’ playoff run last year. Now, if he can stay healthy this is the year for him to prove he can reach his potential and confirm him being a first-round pick.
Rookie To Watch: Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Anudike-Uzomah is a rookie to watch as he was the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 first-round draft pick. As I stated earlier he was a defensive end from Kansas State. He has a solid 6’3” and 255-pound frame that will likely grow once he gets into the NFL. In college, he had two great seasons in 2021 and 2022 where he made a name for himself. His last season in college he earned third-team Associated Press All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. Also, he finished with 11 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
The production was there for Anudike-Uzomah in college even though he started two years in college. He has the potential to translate over to an NFL starter. He plays with high intensity and has a solid bag of moves he uses to execute successful pass rushes. Anudike-Uzomah has work to do to refine his game and get ready for the next level. However, there is a good chance he will get meaningful snaps this year for the Chiefs as a backup or if a starter misses time. That is why I believe he is a rookie to watch.
Fantasy Sleeper To Watch: Rashee Rice
This player is a deep fantasy sleeper as he will more than likely be a backup in 2023. Rashee Rice was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He played four years at SMU and he got better every year. Rice has a great frame at 6’1” and 204 pounds and he is a great athlete. In his senior season, he earned second-team Associated Press All-American as he finished with 96 receptions, 1,355 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
The talent and résumé are there on paper. He has great jump ball skills, ball tracking skills, and solid hands. However, he is not the most consistent player hence why he was not a first-round wide receiver. He will need to be consistent and focused if he wants to get playing time for the Chiefs this year. Rice is a fantasy sleeper because he has the talent and the opportunity to be an effective fantasy wide receiver since he is in the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. He is a weapon that Reid and Mahomes will be able to utilize on the field. Ultimately, it depends if he can find his way onto the field on game days but if anything he is a waiver wire target to keep an eye on later in the year.
