The Kansas City Chiefs are known for their ability to absolutely nail draft classes, as they have been doing that for some time now. The 2022 draft class with Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis is one of the best we have ever seen from this team draft.
But these players don't always work out, and that's fine. Some workouts, just not to the level that is originally expected. And, I think it's safe to say that one of those players who isn't a bust or anything, but hasn't been as good as we thought he would be by now, is former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah of the 2023 draft class.
He hasn't been terrible or unplayable. He hasn't been as good as he should be by now, but that's not completely his fault. There have been injuries, better players in front of him, and some other things that have contributed to this. But last year he looked much better than he did the year before, and that's a major positive.
Heading into 2025, Joe Cullen, the Chiefs' defensive line coach, has made one thing clear for FAU -- he has to be consistent, and I think FAU knows that, too.
"Felix [Anudike-Uzomah], when you go back and look at all the reps from his rookie year to last year -- I mean, he flashed a lot. And what I mean by flash is he made a lot of really good plays. And to me, talking with Felix, it's just about consistency with that and really being able to sustain that through the year and playing more downs in the game," Cullen told reporters earlier this week at OTAs.
FAU has three sacks through two seasons, with 2.5 of them coming last year, one against Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos, which you all may remember very well. I think it's important to remember that FAU was drafted in 2023 and that he's only 23 years old -- he still has a lot of developing to do.
But now with Ashton Guillotte behind him, FAU could be running out of time. Guillotte has the potential to be a very good football player, but he also needs some development. So, FAU has to get that consistency down like Cullen is saying, or he could lose his spot soon, or even not get that second contract that every young player wants.
Of course, these are all hypotheticals, and there is still a long way to go. But, FAU is doing better, and it sounds like they have full confidence in him.
