George Karlaftis' extension shows just how far behind Felix Anudike-Uzomah is going into his third season

With the 32nd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Felix Anudike-Uzomah, defensive end, from Kansas State University. The pick made sense at the time. The Chiefs needed help at defensive end, and FAU was a local prospect who could help fill that need. While he wasn't seen as someone with elite upside, he was viewed as a fairly safe bet to at least develop into a valuable part of a team's edge rotation. Fast forward two years, and FAU is entering his third training camp still trying to cement his role with the team.

Not every first-round pick has to become a superstar to be a good pick. Just look at George Karlaftis. The Chiefs took him just one year earlier with the 30th overall pick of the 2022 draft. Karlaftis may not be an NFL star on the level of Chris Jones, but he's become a key part of the Chiefs' defense and on Sunday he signed a massive four year extension worth up to 93 million dollars. It really does make for a perfect comparison for where Anudike-Uzomah is going into his third season.

If you're like me, it feels like Karlaftis has been with the Chiefs a lot longer than FAU. That's because Furious George has been a key contributor since his rookie season, and FAU has yet to really make his mark. If you compare their stats after their first two seasons in KC, you can see exactly what I'm talking about. Karlaftis had made 33 starts to FAU's 3. Karlaftis had played 1,485 defensive snaps to FAU's 550.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah's third training camp may be his last chance to prove that he isn't a bust.

What makes matters worse is that Charles Omenihu—the player who should have been justifiably blocking FAU's playing time—missed significant time during both of his first two seasons. The door was wide open for FAU to take over as KC's top option opposite Karlaftis, and he just hasn't done it. That's why the dreaded "bust" label is being regularly tossed around at this point.

While things haven't exactly been perfect so far, all hope isn't lost yet. FAU has flashed some pass-rush upside. While Karlaftis put up 16.5 sacks and 28 QB hits on 1,485 defensive snaps in his first two seasons, FAU recorded 3 sacks and 14 QB hits on 550 defensive snaps. While his sack rate is lower, his actual pressure rate is better. You have to factor in that he's fresher from not playing as much, but his PFF pass rush grade last season was slightly better than both Charles Omenihu and veteran Mike Danna.

That's why this training camp is such a big deal for Felix Anudike-Uzomah. This is a make-or-break season for him. He needs to prove that he can step up and earn a prominent role in the rotation, or it’s likely never going to happen. In addition to Karlaftis and Omenihu, the Chiefs still have Mike Danna, a valuable veteran who is willing to do the dirty work, and rookie third-round draft pick Ashton Gillotte to contend with. He isn’t just going to be handed valuable snaps. He has to earn them.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah doesn't have to be as good as George Karlaftis is or earn a massive contract extension to salvage his NFL career, but he does need to act quickly if he's going to earn any kind of role in KC's future. We now know that Karlaftis isn't going anywhere anytime soon, but if FAU can't earn a real role in camp this year his days in Kansas City could be numbered.

So as you watch Chiefs camp reports, keep your eyes on how Anudike-Uzomah is performing and whether he's getting much time with the first-team defense. If not, that "bust" label may prove permanent, and it may be time for Chiefs fans to turn their attention to Gillotte and hope that he can be the long-term solution opposite Karlaftis for years to come.