KC Chiefs undrafted free agent class ranks second in NFL

The Kansas City Chiefs continue their post-draft success with another remarkable haul of undrafted free agents, which ranked second in the NFL.

Last year, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach put together a great draft class. He continued to be successful following the draft by hauling in a loaded undrafted free agent group. At the time, Bleacher Report graded the Chiefs UDFA haul in 2019 an “A”.

According to the consensus, the Chiefs UDFA list in 2020 looks to be another talented group, one that ranks second in the NFL.

The 2020 NFL Draft class was loaded, and topping that with offseason activities being canceled, it was expected for teams to be looking to gain any kind of advantage. Players that were affected most from the current pandemic were small school prospects and prospects coming off of injury. Without the ability to bring prospects into the organization to have their medicals checked, several prospects fell in the draft. One that Chiefs fans are very familiar with that dealt with this kind of fall is Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall.

Kansas City’s last draft pick going into the 2020 NFL Draft was in the fifth round, which gave the front office extra time to start calling players to sign as UDFA’s. Veach traded back into round seven to grab cornerback BoPete Keyes to make sure they got him. Following the trade, the team got back on the phones with players to sign following the last pick of the draft.

The UDFAs help shore up the rest of the 90-man roster that the team will go into training camp with. Players are looking for an opportunity with a team to prove themselves, while organizations look to fill the back end of their roster and practice squads. It allows the team to look at as many players as possible before making the final roster that they will carry into Week 1.

The 2019 season was a great example of why it’s important to build the back end of the roster. Kansas City faced several injuries on both sides of the ball last year that required players to step up and fill those roles. Looking over the Chiefs UDFA list, there are several players that could make a push for the 53-man roster or practice squad. Here are some of the top UDFA’s the Chiefs were able to grab.

Cornerback Javaris Davis, Auburn

According to NFL.com, Javaris Davis was listed as the highest undrafted cornerback. Davis had an impressive draft process, but it wasn’t enough to have his name called on draft weekend. He relies on his speed and ball skills to overcome his smaller build at 5’8″ and 183 pounds. Versatility to play both inside and outside is another trait that the Chiefs likely coveted.

Cornerback Lavert Hill, Michigan

The Chiefs continued to find players to compete at cornerback by signing Lavert Hill. He made first-team All-Big Ten as a junior and senior. His best quality is his aggressiveness at the line of scrimmage in press-man coverage. Standing at 5’10” and 190 pounds, Hill lacks the strength and speed to carry receivers on the outside. Most of his production came against weaker competition in college. However, considering the Chiefs paid Hill $110,000 guaranteed, it’s likely that other teams were bidding for his services. It adds more bodies to compete in the cornerback room with little to no risk.

Interior Offensive Line Darryl Williams, Mississippi State

Listed as the second-best interior offensive lineman on NFL.com, Darryl Williams is a developmental project. With experience at both guard and center, Williams could develop into a solid backup along the interior. The Chiefs saw something they like as they are willing to pay him $107,000 guaranteed.

Offensive Tackle Yasir Durant, Missouri

Listed as the number one undrafted tackle, Yasir Durant wins with his length and upper body strength. Standing at 6’7″ and 330 pounds, Durant might have the size of a tackle, but his limited movement might push him inside. Kansas City could look to develop Durant into a solid backup tackle with Cam Erving leaving and third-round pick Lucas Niang coming back from injury. Given the state of the interior offensive line, Durant could also compete at guard.

Wide Receiver Kalija Lipscomb, Vanderbilt

While Kalija Lipscomb might not be the most explosive wide receiver, he showed a good understanding of defensive coverages and route running techniques to be a solid contributor. He also spent some time in the return game at Vanderbilt, which will likely be his ticket to making the roster. It’s unlikely that Lipscomb will ever be a starter in the NFL, but smart route runners have shown to be valuable in the NFL. A good example of this would be Willie Snead.