Chiefs pick hometown star Felix Anudike-Uzomah on NFL Draft Day 1; Colts take K-State’s Brents on Day 2

Kansas State defensive lineman Felix Anudike-Uzomah runs a drill during the NCAA college football team's NFL Pro Day in Manhattan, Kan., Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Kansas City, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs picked a hometown talent with the last selection in the first round of the hometown NFL draft.

The Super Bowl champions bolstered their pass rush late Thursday night when they chose Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the 31st overall pick. He was born in Kansas City and became a prep star in the suburb of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, before helping the Wildcats to a Big 12 title last season, when he was voted the league’s defensive player of the year.

“I got drafted by literally my favorite team growing up,” Anudike-Uzomah said. “It’s definitely a dream come true.”

Anudike-Uzomah fills a big need for the Chiefs, who released Frank Clark not long ago to create some salary cap space.

The Chiefs also used a first-round pick last year on defensive end George Karlaftis, and now they have two young players to anchor their pass rush for years to come.

The NFL draft continued Friday. Here are a few of the picks from the second round:

* The Las Vegas Raiders selected Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer in the second round with the 35th overall pick. Mayer was an AP first-team All-American and Mackey Award finalist last season after catching 67 passes for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. The TD total set a record for Fighting Irish tight ends.

* The Seattle Seahawks added depth to their defensive front by selecting Auburn edge rusher Derick Hall with the 37th pick. Hall had 19 1/2 sacks in his final 36 games for the Tigers.

* The Indianapolis Colts traded down twice before taking Kansas State cornerback Julius Brents with the No. 44 overall pick. The Indianapolis native earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 after four interceptions and 45 tackles.

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