Kansas City Chiefs release Sammie Coates, sign Jody Fortson

The Kansas City Chiefs have decided wide receiver Sammie Coates in order to take a closer look at Valdosta State product Jody Fortson.

The Kansas City Chiefs made a pair of roster moves on Friday to be able to clear a spot for Valdosta State wide receiver turned tight end Jody Fortson, a recent tryout invite for rookie minicamp last weekend.

Fortson was a large target who went undrafted but whose size and potential certainly enticed Brett Veach, the team’s general manager, enough to bring him back beyond a simple tryout with scores of other players. Fortson will now have the chance to develop with further coaching at a new position during OTAs throughout the rest of the spring and into the summer.

At 6’6, 225 lbs, Fortson would have towered over every wide receiver on the Chiefs roster, but the team clearly has a vision for him as a pass-catching tight end who has the ability to line up wide. Fortson will likely need plenty of time to develop with further coaching, adjust to pro level competition, and learn a new position, but the Chiefs have done well along the offensive line and at tight end by developing athletic talent to grow into important roles as both backups and starters. Demetrius Harris left this offseason to the Cleveland Browns after 71 games and 5 seasons in Kansas City.

As for the roster spot for Fortson, the Chiefs decided that they’d seen enough of Sammie Coates. The veteran wide receiver spent his most productive seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he first entered the NFL. Coates was signed by Veach as a free agent back in late February.