Keondre Coburn: The Next Chiefs’ Steal From Day Three Of Draft?

The Kansas City Chiefs have been able to receive instant impacts and production from recent draft picks. Surely, those have come from different areas of the draft. Early picks like Nick Bolton and Creed Humphrey helped fortify some less premium positions on the roster. On the other hand, names like Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis gave the Chiefs play styles that were sorely missing from the defensive unit going into last season.

Interestingly, Kansas City has been tremendous in finding diamonds in the rough on day three of the NFL Draft. In the four previous drafts before the 2023 haul, the Chiefs were able to hit on instant contributors from the final day of selections. Obviously, not all of these names were expected to jump out to such a hot start. Could a name from the 2023 NFL draft class kick off their career in a similar fashion, despite being picked late?

Defensive tackle Keondre Coburn could very well be the next day three steal for the Kansas City Chiefs. Why is that the case? Let’s kick it off.

Looking Back At Recent Day Three Steals For Chiefs

As mentioned above, Kansas City truly found at least one steal on day three of the draft in four straight years from 2019 to 2022. It may have been short-lived, but Rashad Fenton gave the Chiefs instant ball production and meaningful man coverage reps in his first couple of seasons. He was selected in the sixth round of 2019. Another defensive back, the versatile L’Jarius Sneed, took off running right away as a fourth-round pick in 2020. Once again, his ball production stood out immediately. He can also blitz and tackle in run support.

Then in 2021 and 2022, the Chiefs easily had their best two draft classes under general manager Brett Veach. The hits on the early picks were finally there. But once again, it was finding diamonds in the rough on day three of the draft that truly made the hauls impressive.

Due to medical concerns, guard Trey Smith fell to the sixth round in 2021. The Chiefs were essentially playing with house money if they were to get anything out of the Tennessee product. At least it seemed that way during the initial selection. Nevertheless, Smith has overpowered and punished any defensive lineman in sight from the moment he won the right guard job.

And last year, there were two particular contributors that cashed in on once-in-a-lifetime moments as 2022 rookies. Isiah Pacheco and Jaylen Watson, both seventh-round picks, helped push the Chiefs across the finish line in numerous victories last season. Watson had a few different interceptions that swung the momentum completely in Kansas City’s favor. And by late in the year, Pacheco had solidified himself as the best pure running back on the team and did not look back.

Coburn Should Have Major Opportunity

Keondre Coburn should have a major opportunity to become a possible steal from day three of the draft. Honestly, the roadblock to receiving significant snaps does not appear to be that difficult. Outside of the otherworldly Chris Jones, the Chiefs truly lack in defined roles at the defensive tackle spot. Certainly, Kansas City will kick some defenders inside from time to time that are normally defensive ends. But the point still stands, Keondre Coburn can quickly take the reins of holding down a starting defensive tackle job.

Derrick Nnadi is returning to the Chiefs, once again. Though, Kansas City knows that his skill set is limited to mostly being used as a run defender. Other names like Tershawn Wharton or Byron Cowart will have to prove themselves in a variety of ways. As a result, Coburn may offer the most potential, as far as a well-rounded skill set goes. While others are better at defending either the run or the pass separately, Keondre may add a jolt against both facets.

Winning On Finer Details Will Show Up In Most Crucial Of Moments

Coming out of Texas, Keondre Coburn is not necessarily going to wow you on each snap. His best football could very well be ahead of him, to boot. This is a defender who wins reps by being smooth with the finer details of the defensive tackle position. For instance, Coburn is able to stay in position to make stops, due to his effort on staying out of no man’s land. This can be noticed by him not getting too far upfield, or when Coburn maintains his landmarks and leverage.

Elsewhere, Keondre Coburn is a surprisingly solid athlete for someone of his stature. His first-step quickness at the snap, lateral agility and cleaner footwork can show up against both the run and the pass. Most of all, Coburn’s angles to the ball are crisp and tight. There is very little wasted movement from this defender. Quite frankly, that is vital for someone who possesses a massive frame. The production and the results could come instantly for this 2023 rookie. Overall, his work on finer details may truly make Keondre Coburn the next Chiefs’ steal from day three of the draft.