Kansas City Chiefs depend on undrafted players to remake defense
By Matt Conner
Before the 2018 season began, Chiefs Kingdom had fallen in love with a hard-working linebacker out of Iowa named Ben Niemann who’d joined the team as heralded undrafted free agent. Niemann earned rave reviews from coaches and scouts for his tackling ability, hard work, and intelligence, but was passed over in the draft by every team likely reaching for prospects with sexier Pro Day numbers or higher perceived potential.
Brett Veach rewarded Niemann’s impressive work in the preseason with a spot on the team’s active roster, and he lasted the entire season, playing primarily on special teams in 14 total games. This year, he played on special teams once again but has also worked his way up the food chain to play starter’s reps on defense (and disappear entirely in other games).
These days, he’s playing more than any other Chiefs linebacker. Against the Houston Texans, no other player on the roster at his position was trusted with more snaps than Niemann, who had 50 total tackles during the regular season. Will the trend continue against the Titans? It remains to be seen, but Spags clearly trusts Niemann as much as anyone.