After adding the back-flipping defensive tackle in April’s draft, the Chiefs have finally agreed to terms on a contract that will keep Khalen Saunders in Kansas City for the next four years.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates the Chiefs have signed Saunders, their final unsigned draft pick, to a contract.
Saunders, a St. Louis native, was drafted to play a key role up front in the Chiefs’ new-look 4-3 defensive scheme playing next to Chris Jones at defensive tackle. His wide 320-pound frame is going to make him an effective people-mover on the defensive front, and though he stands just 6-feet tall, his ability to create push up front should make him a contributor early in 2019.
After a great year at Western Illinois and a dominant Senior Bowl, Saunders was selected in the third round with the 84th overall pick. Scouts raved about his ability as a run-stuffer, but his sneaky athleticism should make him a force to be reckoned with as a pass-rusher up the middle.
The rookie’s contract will pay roughly $900,000 per year and has a total value of $3.6 million. He’ll receive nearly $1 million in signing bonus.
This deal was the last of the Chiefs’ 2019 draft class, which is typical of third-round draft picks. It leaves the Chiefs with around $20 million in cap space moving toward the last phase of the offseason. With post-June 1 cuts coming in around the league, the Chiefs should have the ability to sign a big name or two who are in need of a change of scenery. They can now feel more comfortable working their cap number down with their entire draft class under contract.
