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The Chiefs five most intriguing undrafted free agent signings

By Jalon Dodson

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: Kalija Lipscomb #16 of the Vanderbilt Commodores carries the ball against J.R. Reed #20 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: Kalija Lipscomb #16 of the Vanderbilt Commodores carries the ball against J.R. Reed #20 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Wide Receiver Kalija Lipscomb #16 from Vanderbilt of the South Team during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Wide Receiver Kalija Lipscomb #16 from Vanderbilt of the South Team during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Kalija Lipscomb, WR, Vanderbilt

Wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb endured a frustrating story to get to this point.

Last season, Vanderbilt’s offense was an absolute dumpster fire as the quarterback situation went awry, causing Lipscomb’s stock to fall considerably as he had no chemistry with a quarterback to rely on, nor any solid passers throwing him the ball. Nearly halving his junior year numbers, he posted 511 yards and 3 touchdowns in his senior campaign. These numbers instantly look to be at the fault of Lipscomb, but get this: those numbers were both team highs. That’s pretty sad, especially from a college offense. He hadn’t had numbers that low since his reserve status as a freshman.

Watching his highlights, Lipscomb has tremendous hands and can attack defenders to gain an upper hand as a ball carrier. In a game against Louisiana State University last season, Lipscomb made some decent plays despite a blowout where his Commodores ended up losing 66-38. One play in particular came on a first down midway through the first quarter, where he was able to make two nice cuts on LSU cornerback Derek Stingley, utilizing his speed to carry himself for a hefty gain of 35 yards. He’s not going to have such outstanding plays in every game, but he’s going to put up a fight and give defenders a run for their money almost every time.

As a wide receiver, you need to have a combination of great hands, speed, agility, competitive toughness, and intellect. Lipscomb has all of those traits—although he’s more of a possession receiver. Lipscomb had his best season with former Vanderbilt teammate quarterback Kyle Shurmur, who is currently with the Chiefs and has a shot at backing up Patrick Mahomes in the 2020 season. Lipscomb could benefit from having Shurmur around, and having quarterbacks who can throw decent passes his way and help him get additional looks from the Chiefs’ staff.

He’ll more than likely serve as a practice squad candidate, but could likely be elevated during the regular season at some point. Per PFF, he received a receiving grade of above 80.0 in 2017 and 2018, and a drop grade of above 80.0 in 2018 and 2019.

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