New mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Chiefs picking K-State star in first round

The NFL Draft is a little more than a month away and if one NFL pundit is to be believed, a Kansas State star could be taking the stage to raucous cheers at Union Station.

Kansas City is host to this year’s NFL Draft, which begins April 27, and the Chiefs have the 31st and final pick in the first round.

In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Chiefs will use that draft selection on Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

This is part of what Kiper wrote: “There’s some buzz among NFL teams about Anudike-Uzomah after the combine. He had a great workout there, and he was super productive in college, racking up 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Kansas City replaced Frank Clark with Charles Omenihu, so Anudike-Uzomah likely would be a situational pass-rusher as a rookie.”

Other mocks

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson sees the Chiefs trading with the Giants to get the 25th pick and taking Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones.

Here is an excerpt from Wilson’s story: “Dawand Jones had a great season, and it was hard to overlook just how dominant he was in one day of practice at the Senior Bowl. Yes, his footwork needs some fine-tuning, but his huge frame, long arms and enormous wingspan more than make up for what he lacks in quickness. He’s block-out-the-sun big, even when standing next to his offensive linemates.”

The NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah predicted the Chiefs would select a different defensive end from the Big 12: Iowa State’s Will McDonald.

This is what he wrote: “McDonald is an elite bender coming off the edge. The Chiefs moved on from Frank Clark this offseason and need to add more firepower to their pass rush.”

This mock draft has Anudike-Uzomah being taken by the Eagles, one spot ahead of the Chiefs.

Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network also sees the Chiefs selecting Ohio State’s Jones.

Here is an excerpt of what he wrote: “At 6’8“, 374 pounds, with 36 3/8” arms, he’s truly one of the biggest humans alive. That size alone makes him a towering spectacle at right tackle, but he has underrated feet and hands as well.”

As for Anudike-Uzomah, Cummings has the Bears picking him at the start of the third round.

Another prediction of a draft-day trade comes from the Athletic’s Ben Standig. He sees the Chiefs swapping with the Commanders to move up to No. 16 overall and taking Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness.

This is part of what he wrote: “Kansas City moves some of its 11 selections in this year’s draft for a physical specimen who aced the combine before a drop-off among edge rushers later in the round.”