The Kansas City Chiefs signed 17 undrafted free agents ahead of their rookie minicamp, which ends today.
Several of those players will have a chance to impress the coaching staff and earn a spot on the Chiefs’ roster throughout the offseason program. Some have already begun to make their mark. Here are four players that should get Chiefs fans excited, before having the chance to see them in action.
Syracuse WR Jamal Custis
Custis is a player on everyone’s radar because of the massive signing bonus he got to join the Chiefs. They reportedly paid him more money than any undrafted receiver has made in the past two seasons.
People should be playing attention to this player for other reasons besides money, though. Let’s start with his 6-5 and 213 pound frame: He has the size and body control to be a big time jump ball threat. He’s showcased solid athleticism and speed in college, which should easily translate to the NFL.
Don’t forget, Custis is also a great special teams player. Particularly on punt coverage he’s displayed strong play as a gunner. The Chiefs are getting the whole package with Custis, and the crazy thing is he’s not yet scratched the surface on his potential. He was only a starter for a single season at Syracuse, so he’ll have an even greater chance to work his way up and grow in Kansas City.
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Clemson CB Mark Fields
Fields is one of those undrafted free agents that left people scratching their heads going, “Why didn’t he get drafted?” He’s a player who had a lot going for him ahead of the 2019 NFL draft.
Fields made a massive statement in the national championship game for Clemson in 2018. He came off the bench cold at halftime, and he was absolutely lockdown against one of the best WR groups in the country. He had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. At the combine, he had one of the fasted 40-yard dash times by a cornerback at 4.37.
Nickel is probably where Fields will fit best at the next level, but he could factor in playing a similar role on the outside to Steven Nelson. He’ll likely be battling right away for a spot as a core special teams player, with developmental upside as a corner.
The Chiefs failed to address the CB position early in the 2019 NFL draft. It was considered a massive position of need for the team and a reason that they struggled the season prior. Getting a player of Fields’ caliber in undrafted free agency could certainly qualify as a steal.
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Dino Boyd OT Cincinnati
Boyd joined Cincinnati as a graduate transfer from Rhode Island. Even though he saw a huge step up in competition, Boyd didn’t miss a beat and started all 13 games at left tackle for the Bearcats. This earned him first-team All-AAC honors in his first season playing in the conference.
Not only was Boyd dynamite in the ground game, helping RB Michael Warren II to 1,000 yard rushing season, but Boyd also held it down in pass protection. He kept QB Desmond Ridder clean during an impressive rookie season.
Offensive tackle may not seem like a big need for the Chiefs, but they could certainly use some cheap help there. Boyd could be the answer to their swing tackle concerns, and at the cost of an undrafted free agent signing, that’s a pretty nice acquisition.
Keep in mind the Chiefs have done a great job at identifying, and bringing in offensive line talent in undrafted free agency in recent years. In 2018 they had former undrafted OL Andrew Wylie start a ton of games at left guard. They had undrafted C Jimmy Murray on the roster for the bulk of the season. They even held onto undrafted OT Ryan Hunter on the practice squad.
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Gary Johnson LB Texas
In just two seasons at Texas, Johnson accumulated 147 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 Sacks. During the pre-draft process, Johnson stood out at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a 40-yard dash second to only LSU’s Devin White. The Chiefs are clearly intrigued by Johnson’s production and athleticism. They don’t care if Johnson doesn’t know where Aleppo is.
Johnson has played mostly the Rover linebacker position for the Longhorns which is essentially a weakside linebacker. He played that search and destroy role quite well, in the NFL he might be looking to play in sub packages and on special teams. The Chiefs could be looking into Johnson as insurance for Dorian O’Daniel who was injured late in the 2018 season.
The Chiefs didn’t address the linebacker position through the draft. Not only are they expecting some undrafted players to push the current players on the roster, but they likely expect a player like Johnson to step up and earn a role on the defense.
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