Khalen Saunders gives Chiefs the ‘Aaron Donald of the FCS’
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs added a defensive lineman with serious disruptive potential along the interior with the third round pick, Western Illinois’ Khalen Saunders.
Khalen Saunders came a bit out of nowhere in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Not only is Saunders a small-school prospect from Western Illinois hoping to make the leap to the professional level, but the Kansas City Chiefs had bigger fish to fry—er, positions to fill. Instead, the team decided Saunders’ pro potential was simply too much to pass up as they turned in their draft card on Day Two.
The Chiefs claimed Saunders for good reason: his potential was not such a secret anymore. He showed up strong at the Senior Bowl which placed him squarely in the sights of general managers around the NFL. While he might have placed at an FCS school at Western Illinois, GMs were now sure that his incredible blend of size (324 lbs.), athleticism, and strength could be an asset at the highest levels.
Thus, the Chiefs were able to look at available cornerbacks and wide receivers—two bigger needs, certainly—and go with Saunders anyway. It’s also interesting that the Chiefs pulled the trigger on this deal given that they already have Chris Jones, Xavier Williams, Derrick Nnadi, and Justin Hamilton in the middle.
Saunders will need some work with conditioning, the playbook, and with his technique to turn into the sort of player that Brett Veach envisioned, but the clay is there for coaches to work with. And if nothing else, we can be entertained by his ability to do backflips.
#Chiefs 3rd rounder Khalen Saunders can backflip at a cool 320 pounds pic.twitter.com/I5HQQN20vC
— Sully Engels (@sullyengels) April 27, 2019
Here’s a look at the reaction to the Saunders pick.
We have selected DT Khalen Saunders with the #84 overall pick!#ChiefsKingdom | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/bQ0r8PaXkn
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 27, 2019
New #Chiefs DL Khalen Saunders had 25 tackles-for-loss and 14 sacks over the past two seasons for Western Illinois. Was a standout for @JimNagy_SB & company at the @seniorbowl this year as well.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) April 27, 2019
Great story.
Great personality.
His daughter was born the week of the #SeniorBowl.
With their third-round pick, the #Chiefs select DT Khalen Saunders, an All-Juice selection. The streak continues! Five years in a row.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 27, 2019
I know nothing about Khalen Saunders except that he's huge, can do backflips, is on @TerezPaylor's All Juice team, and moves like this at 320 pounds. So I'm cool with it. pic.twitter.com/wsPqYfVhbT
— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) April 27, 2019
Khalen Saunders had an elite 91.6 run defense grade from PFF plus totaled 14 sacks over the past two seasons. Plus he's still pretty raw and has more upside. Between him, Clark, and the other front 7 additions I don't think we're getting pushed around up front anymore.
— Lyle Graversen (@LyleGraversen) April 27, 2019
Khalen Saunders was the star of the Senior Bowl. His daughter was born while he was in Mobile, and the big dude can do flips.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) April 27, 2019
Couldn't be more here for this pick. He's going to make for some great stories.
With the 84th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the #Chiefs select Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2019
Khalen Saunders posted a Good #RAS with Okay size, Good speed, Okay explosiveness, Good agility at the DT position. pic.twitter.com/FNuC1ZUcFg