Four Bold Predictions for the Chiefs in 2023
After a long wait, the 2023 NFL season is finally upon us.
The Kansas City Chiefs kick off the campaign at home as the reigning Super Bowl champions. The hope for fans, players and other team employees alike is that the Chiefs can be the first team to repeat since the New England Patriots in 2003-04 but before they attempt to do that, here are a few bold predictions about individual players.
Kadarius Toney records over 1,000 yards from scrimmage
The Chiefs made a point to tell the world that they view Kadarius Toney as a "wide receiver one" in the NFL. The biggest concern for him is injuries. He's constantly dealt with them throughout his short time in the NFL, even already having them hamper him this year as he essentially miss all of training camp. With that said, Toney's talent is captivating, and it's easy to see why Kansas City believes in him so much.
The former first-rounder is electric with the ball in his hands and runs his routes smoothly. When Toney was on the field last year, his touch-to-snap ratio was astronomically high, showing how much the Chiefs want to put the ball in his hands and displaying the chemistry he has already built with Patrick Mahomes. An entire season should see the former Gator break that 1,000-yard threshold and emerge as one of Kansas City's top weapons.
Jawaan Taylor solidifies himself as a top-three right tackle in the NFL
When the Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor, there were a lot of questions surrounding the move. Most had to do with what position he'd play, but a few were questioning if he was worth the contract he received. Taylor will put those conversations to rest with his play in Kansas City. He's been improving since his rookie season, easily having his best season in 2022. He was a significant reason the Jacksonville Jaguars made the playoffs and won a postseason game despite having the No. 1 draft pick just nine months in advance.
As a pass protector, Taylor is as good as they get, ranking in the top 10 for fewest pressures allowed of tackles who played over 500 pass block snaps. An offseason with offensive line coach Andy Heck should help improve his run blocking to an above-average level. The athleticism and movement skills are just too impressive for Taylor not to continue along his ascent.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah has a better rookie season than George Karlaftis had a year ago
After going defensive end in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with George Karlaftis, the Chiefs returned to the well to select Felix Anudike-Uzomah in 2023. The young duo should be able to grow and perform together for years to come. However, at least for this exercise, I am pinning them against each other.
Karlaftis racked up seven sacks and 49 pressures during his rookie season, including the playoffs. Anudike-Uzomah will top those numbers during his first campaign. The former Wildcat already has a full bag of pass rush moves as he enters the NFL, which should help him during his rookie season. He'll also have a ton of opportunities, especially early, with Charles Omenihu suspended and Chris Jones missing games as long as his holdout ensues. Anudike-Uzomah's relentless motor should also help him as games wear on with the Chiefs presumably leading.
Trent McDuffie makes the Pro Bowl and gets All-Pro consideration
Last year, getting Trent McDuffie back from a hamstring injury significantly boosted the Chiefs. Their defense started clicking in rhythm and came on strong during the latter half of the season. Due to Sauce Gardner and Tariq Woolen shining as rookies, McDuffie went under the radar but was truly elite on the field.
When watching the film, you could see the former Washington Husky in the back pocket of nearly every receiver he lined up against. McDuffie's ball production was not great on paper because teams refused to throw his direction due to his coverage ability. He also has inside-outside versatility, helping elevate his game. Entering his second year, McDuffie is primed to break out and become a household name nationally. He will parlay that success into his first career Pro Bowl appearance and a possible All-Pro nod.
