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Kansas City Chiefs: Five undrafted players to watch this week

By Lyle Graversen

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 02: Tight end Blake Mack #16 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves tries to avoid the tackle of linebacker Marcus Newby #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 02: Tight end Blake Mack #16 of the Arkansas State Red Wolves tries to avoid the tackle of linebacker Marcus Newby #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 13: Alex Ellis #49 of the Tennessee Titans fumbles after being hit by Nick Dzubnar #48 and Joshua Perry #53 of the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a game against at Nissan Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 13: Alex Ellis #49 of the Tennessee Titans fumbles after being hit by Nick Dzubnar #48 and Joshua Perry #53 of the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a game against at Nissan Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Alex Ellis – TE – #82

Okay, I admit it, I kind of cheated on this one. Every other player on this list is an undrafted rookie trying to make the team, and Alex Ellis is not. I’m getting off on a technicality here because he did go undrafted. However, that was in 2016 and since then he has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New Orleans Saints. While most of his time in the NFL has been spent on the practice squad he has been on the active roster a few times and even has a couple of career receptions in the stat book.

The reason I am still including him on this list is because I think he is just as big of “no name” as any rookie on this list and yet has a real chance to make the Chiefs this season. We all know Travis Kelce is the star tight end and the frequently frustrating Demetrius Harris seems locked into the number two tight end spot, but there is no such player locked into the third tight end spot.

In camp it appears to be a two man race between Ellis and Jace Amaro. Amaro may be the bigger name but it appears that Ellis may actually have a slight lead on him going into the preseason games. That makes Ellis a player to keep a close eye on because the Chiefs have frequently used a lot of multiple tight end sets. That means that Ellis not only has a chance to make the team but to see some meaningful snaps if he does.

What to watch for:

* Is Ellis the third tight end to enter the game behind Kelce and Harris? Amaro is listed above him on the depth chart but practice reps haven’t always matched that.

* Do the Chiefs give Ellis any reps with the first string offense in multiple tight end sets?

* Does Ellis look any more reliable catching the ball than the wildly inconsistent Harris?

* Listed at 236 pounds, does Ellis look overmatched as a blocker?

* Does Ellis look like an above replacement level player? In other words, even if he is KC’s clear #3 TE could they easily upgrade from him when rosters cut down?

Next up, a linebacker that seemed to come out of nowhere.

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