2018 NFL Draft: Kansas City Chiefs undrafted free agent tracker
By Matt Conner
Blake Mack, TE, Arkansas State
Another UDFA from the Arkansas State Red Wolves program will be joining the Chiefs in tight end Blake Mack. Mack is 6’3, 229 lbs., so he’s slight (for reference, Travis Kelce is 260), but that’s expected with a small-school project. Mack showed nice hands these last two years in the Sun Belt with a combined 82 catches for 1,270 yards and 10 touchdowns in that span.
Jake Krause, OL, Bemidji State
There are small-school flyers and then there’s Bemidji State, located in the great metropolis of Bemidji, MN. The reality is that the Division II school is not really that small, but their football program hasn’t exactly graduated many prospects, so Jake Krause is in rare company. The 6-3, 305 lb. guard is a rare physical specimen who turned heads at Minnesota’s pro day with a 30″ vertical leap (Top 10 at Combine) and 33 reps on the bench press (4th at Combine).
Richard Lagow is a two-year starter for the Indiana Hoosiers who is a longshot to make any waves as an undrafted quarterback. Last season, Lagow had 15 touchdown and 7 interceptions to go with his 58.3% completion rate who might be enticing to scouts due to his ideal frame of 6’6, 240 lbs.
While many undrafted free agents have a lot of learning and growing to do, others like Niemann come in ready-made just waiting for their change. He’s started 39 games for the Iowa Hawkeyes at outside linebacker over the last three seasons. Last season, he had 80 tackles, including 6 for loss, and 1 tackle and 1 interception. Niemann visited the Chiefs in recent weeks, so this is one of those pre-draft visits that worked out well for both sides.
Elijah Marks, WR, Northern Arizona
Elijah Marks garnered interest from several teams including the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Chiefs won out in the end with their invite to rookie minicamp accepted. The All-Big Sky First Team wideout put up 71 catches for 1,170 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns last season for Northern Arizona. He also returned 12 kicks and 10 punts, giving him a nice bit of experience for Dave Toub’s units that should help him find a roster spot.