Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

KC Chiefs rookie class enjoys strong training camp

By Matt Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 31: Center Creed Humphrey #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners snaps the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 31: Center Creed Humphrey #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners snaps the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 20: Defensive End Joshua Kaindoh #13 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 20, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 38 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 20: Defensive End Joshua Kaindoh #13 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 20, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 38 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Joshua Kaindoh

The Chiefs raised eyebrows in the fourth round of the 2021 draft when they selected Joshua Kaindoh out of Florida State, a defensive end who never put it all together at the collegiate level. The former high profile recruit was supposed to be a standout pass rusher for the Seminoles, but despite his natural skill set—a rare blend of athleticism, length, power, and burst—his production waned as time went on.

The Chiefs entered the draft with a major long-term need at the position given Frank Clark’s cost on the books and the lack of any major future investments. The Chiefs are hoping Mike Danna, Turk Wharton, and Tim Ward can help provide rotational reps as young players, but K.C. lacked a real cornerstone. However, they waited later than many fans wanted to grab an edge rusher and even then it was Kaindoh.

It was clear that Kaindoh was going to be a developmental prospect for the Chiefs for the next year or two, so no one is expecting too much from him in the early going. So far, the results have been mixed as expected. Kaindoh shows flashes at times, even in the team’s first game against the Niners, but he can also get confused or easily taken out of a play by an opposing blocker.

Brendan Daly has his work cut out for him when it comes to unlocking Kaindoh’s potential, but given the work he’s already done on the aforementioned young players, there’s some exciting possibilities here. Just don’t expect anything much in 2021.

Home/Chiefs Roster