With the 2023 NFL Draft getting closer and closer with each passing day, teams around the league are putting the finishing touches on their plans and preparations for one of the biggest and most important events of the league year. Fans are no different, with emotions building in both directions depending on a franchise's outlook.
In a recent NFL Draft fan survey, Sportsbook Review gathered data from 3,000-plus NFL fans across North America centered around their confidence in their respective teams heading into this year's draft. Fans were asked to put a numerical value — out of 10 — to their level of optimism. Franchises such as the Las Vegas Raiders (average rating of 4.12), Cleveland Browns (4.72) and Washington Commanders (4.91) brought up the tail end of the list, but Kansas City Chiefs fans ranked the team high in the survey.
Coming off a Super Bowl-winning campaign that saw quality contributions from multiple members of general manager Brett Veach's 2022 NFL Draft class, the Chiefs are quickly building a reputation as an organization that can identify good value and get the most out of their rookies. That reflects in the fanbase's optimism rating, as Kansas City's 7.32 figure trailed just one team in the entire league. Here's more from the survey's results page:
The defending Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs are a close second at 7.32, buoyed by a string of recent draft successes highlighted by the selection of franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes taken 10th overall in 2017. Chiefs fans trust their front office, and it shows.
Ahead of the Chiefs are the Seattle Seahawks, as John Schneider and company have done such a good job that fans rated their optimism at an average of 7.41 heading into the draft. Rounding out the top five behind Kansas City are the Baltimore Ravens (6.90), Detroit Lions (6.72) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6.71).
As the end of April approaches and teams' selections are announced at the podium, it's clear that Chiefs fans believe Veach and his staff will do a good job bolstering depth on a roster that just accomplished the highest feat in the sport.
More must-reads: