Kansas City Chiefs Sixth Round Pick Zach Fulton Signs Deal

Sep 21, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers offensive linesman Zach Fulton (72) blocks during the second quarter against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Fulton is a Chiefs player by contractual obligation now.

Fulton is the first of the six Chiefs draft picks to sign his deal from the 2014 draft class. Over the Cap estimates Fulton’s cap hit in 2014 will be $446,055. Kansas City has around $4.5 million in cap space to work with so fitting all of their draft picks under the cap shouldn’t be an issue.

The new CBA makes negotiating rookie contracts pretty much a moot point since the money is basically decided, so it isn’t a surprise to see some guys sign quickly. There are some cases where there is a hold out based on the option year tied to certain draft picks but most rookies sign without protest now.

As for the football aspect of things, the sooner Fulton can get on the field the better. He’ll be in the competition to be the starting right guard and he has a shot to win it. Andy Reid drafted Jason Kelce in the sixth round – 191st pick – in 2011 and immediately made him the Eagles starting center. So there is a precedent from Reid to take a rookie drafted late and plug him into the starting offensive line.

Kansas City’s rookie mini camp will be from May 24-26.