The Kansas City Chiefs recently brought in three players for a tryout, including former Missouri wide receiver J’Mon Moore.
The Kansas City Chiefs submitted a final roster to get down to 53 players on the team just like every other NFL franchise, but the work of looking at a long list of new free agents and sifting through potential new additions is a never-ending cycle that’s definitely heightened after a weekend filled with so many players released.
The Chiefs brought in three new players for a tryout at Arrowhead Stadium, per Howard Balzer, on the offensive side. No further measures have been reported in terms of a signing, but it’s clear that general manager Brett Veach is familiarizing himself with the quality of free agent targets and who might be available in case changes are needed.
The three players are, interestingly enough, all on the offensive side of the ball—the side in which the team should have the most confidence. Instead of feeling settled, however, the team’s practice squad also leans offensive with six of ten players on that side.
Here’s a look at the three players who just tried out and what Veach might see in them.
Reggie Davis, wide receiver
Reggie Davis put up a head-turning time of 4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his pro day at Georgia and while his playing time was sparse with the Bulldogs, those skills could translate well at the NFL level.
Unfortunately, Davis has already tried to latch on with the Atlanta Falcons twice, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles—all to no avail. The Chiefs are offering an olive branch here in the hopes of seeing something many others have not.
Tanner Lee, quarterback
Tanner Lee looks the part on the outside. There’s the strong arm and the 6’4 stature. There are also moments when the touch is there and real NFL potential can be seen.
The Jacksonville Jaguars reached for that potential when they selected Lee to be their sixth round pick just last season out of the University of Nebraska. Unfortunately Lee lasted a single season on a team with a shaky starter in Blake Bortles who was already walking the plank and let go after the year. That’s not a good sign for Lee’s pro potential.
Maybe the Chiefs are looking for someone to potentially replace Shurmur. Who knows?
J’Mon Moore, wide receiver
Moore entered the NFL as a fourth round pick of the Green Bay Packers after putting up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons as a wideout for the University of Missouri. Moore averaged a healthy 16.5 yards/catch for the Tigers and his pro-ready size (6’3, 205) helped him win against smaller corners. Moore also showed up big in key SEC games, giving him decent tape against solid competition.
Unfortunately, he was also the product of a solid offense that didn’t require mastery of his routes or technique to move the chains. Moore was always going to be a bit of a project entering the league, and his penchant for drops likely dropped him down draft boards.
The Packers’ overdrafting of Moore in the fourth likely put more pressure on Moore than there should have been. For a mid-round pick, it feels like the Packers were quick to slam the door.
The Chiefs already have big targets they like as developmental bodies (see Forston, Jody and Kemp, Marcus), but no one is safe if an upgrade can be made. That’s Veach’s decision on whether or not Moore’s ability trumps the potential of someone already on the P.S.