The Kansas City Chiefs have the majority of their practice squad players from 2019 on their 90-man offseason roster. With an offseason in an NFL program, and a year developing on the Chiefs’ practice squad, each player will have a chance to show that they’ve made significant strides. These three players, in particular, have an opportunity to make some noise during training camp next month and could even push to make the 53-man roster.
TE Nick Keizer
Keizer joined the Chiefs as training camp was already underway in 2019. The team had some depth issues at tight end because of injuries. After a standout preseason performance, Keizer spent the entire 2019 season on the practice squad. He posted preseason grades over 70 in each of receiving, pass blocking and run blocking per PFF.
Given the departure of Blake Bell, there is a need for Kansas City to find a good in-line blocker for 12 personnel groupings. Keizer will be competing with Deon Yelder, who was on the 53-man roster in 2019. He’ll also see competition from the newcomer Ricky Seals-Jones. He has an advantage over both players because his game is very well-rounded.
WR Jody Fortson
Fortson was one of the more impressive undrafted free agents from the Chiefs’ 2019 class. He really stood out during the final preseason game against Green Bay Packers, where he caught two passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. He also forced a fumble on special teams. The team seems to like his size and ability to box out defensive backs. In fact, he offers a skill set that is very different from what they already have on the roster at the receiver position.
Kansas City will always need receiver depth with their high-powered offense. With players like Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson set to become free agents in 2021, the Chiefs need to find a low-cost solution for the future. If Fortson can make a big jump in his second year with the team, he could potentially provide a solution to those departing free agents.
DT Devaroe Lawrence
The Chiefs already have a lot of talent along the defensive line, but Lawrence belongs in that conversation as well. After a dominant preseason performance in 2019, he made the 53-man roster with Cleveland Browns. He appeared in 11 games for the Browns including two starts, producing eight total tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, a fumble recovery, an interception and a pass deflection.
The Browns abruptly cut Lawrence following the Week 12 game against the Miami Dolphins. Lawrence landed on the Kansas City practice squad for the remainder of the 2019 season. He now has an offseason in the system and will have an opportunity to have another impressive preseason in 2020, but this time with the Chiefs.
