Chiefs might have something special in OL Damien Mama
By Matt Conner
![Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans guard Damien Mama (51) celebrates on the podium with the Rose Bowl trophy after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans guard Damien Mama (51) celebrates on the podium with the Rose Bowl trophy after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a31d153e7e4b559225ff7079e6cef4e21fde9b628fa41f8b6938458d236c1f5c.jpg)
The Kansas City Chiefs signed USC offensive lineman Damien Mama as an undrafted free agent and PFF says they might have something special.
The Kansas City Chiefs turned their 10 selections heading into the 2017 NFL Draft into six actual picks, none of which addressed the offensive line. Still that doesn’t mean the Chiefs might not have an exciting rookie to bring into the unit to compete with the veteran holdovers. In fact, one undrafted free agent signing, Damien Mama from the University of Southern California, has made some believers out of the staff at Pro Football Focus.
Eric Eager of PFF says that Mama has been impressive in their eyer over the last year, ranked as a top ten guard overall in the draft class. He writes:
"Our tenth-rated guard of the 2016 draft class, former USC G Damien Mama improved each year as a pass blocker in our grading system, not allowing a single sack a season ago and earning an 87.1 grade in that department."
Mama’s NFL.com draft profile also had him pegged as a fifth rounder and projects him to be an eventual starter in the league in the right scenario. The 6’3, 334 lb. guard has the necessary size and strength but he’s also struggled with his weight through his collegiate career. Given the right motivation, he could be a hidden gem for the Chiefs who could compete for the eighth offensive lineman behind veterans like Zach Fulton and Jah Reid.
Mama enters the NFL with 25 starts over the last two years at guard for USC.