The 9 most overlooked Kansas City Chiefs players

Ukeme Eligwe, linebacker

Ukeme Eligwe was going to be a project no matter when he was taken. The team’s fifth round pick in 2017, Eligwe played the majority of his college ball at Georgia Southern which meant he was always going to require some adjustment to pro competition. That typically means that a player will sit until the game slows down enough for him to understand his role within it.

In Week 17, as Andy Reid rested the majority of his starters against the Denver Broncos, Eligwe got the start at linebacker. That’s a good sign that Reid views Eligwe as the next man up at LB. The Chiefs have imported new starters at inside linebacker (Anthony Hitchens, Reggie Ragland) as well as some more options outside (Breeland Speaks, Rob McCray), but there’s always room for more pass rushers, and Eligwe fits the bill.

Originally Eligwe was slated to play at Florida State, but he became used to being a bigger fish in a smaller pond at Ga Southern. It might take some acclimation, but Eligwe could hold a high ceiling as a linebacker. Watch for him until then on special teams.