Joe Cullen says former Kansas City Chiefs first-round draft pick is flat-out better than he was a season ago

The Kansas City Chiefs knew that defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah would be a bit of a project when they drafted him 32nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Not only was Anudike-Uzomah going to have to go through the growing pains of a rookie, but he was dealing injuries to his wrist and hamstring before he even stepped foot on an NFL field. Although he didn't get much playing time in 2023, Chiefs coaches insisted that Anudike-Uzomah was getting better during practice every day.

Anudike-Uzomah is now healthy and is making big strides in his game. He has been noticeably quicker and stronger during training camp, and he notched three tackles in K.C.'s first preseason game last week. Defensive line coach Joe Cullen has watched Anudike-Uzomah's growth firsthand and likes what he sees from the second-year player.

"First of all, he's in great physical shape compared to a year ago," Cullen told reporters on Wednesday. "He was injured with a hamstring and his wrist. Didn't have much practice time during the offseason until training camp, and just mentally, I mean, he knows the playbook. He's playing faster. I was really pleased; he did some really good things in the game against two of their better tackles in his pass rush. And he's continuing to develop and get better."

Cullen also recognized some things that Anudike-Uzomah needs to work on before he has it all put together.

"Just be more consistent. He made a couple of nice plays in the game, but just be able to shed quicker, decipher things a little quicker, but he's, but he's a lot better than he was a year ago. Made a couple of nice plays in the game, but just like him to be more dominant at the point of attack."

Anudike-Uzomah has two preseason games left show just how much he's improved from his rookie year. He led all Chiefs defensive linemen in snaps played in last week's game with 36 and that trend should continue through the final two games.

Anudike-Uzomah becoming a reliable piece of the defensive end rotation would make an already very good Chiefs defensive line even scarier. K.C. finished second in the league in sacks in 2023 and could make a run at first this season if Anudike-Uzomah has a breakout year.

Related: Three underrated performances Chiefs fans might have missed in preseason Week 1 vs. Jaguars