KC Chiefs: Shilique Calhoun signing bolsters defensive line depth
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs took the opportunity to work out a few players on Tuesday in the days following their victory over the Washington Football Team as they prepare to also focus on the task of facing the Tennessee Titans in Week 7.
These road games are going to be very important challenges for the Chiefs as they look to stay in step with other contenders and divisional rivals after losing more games early in the schedule than expected. In order to do so, general manager Brett Veach is looking at some potential talent to help fill in the gaps and provide valuable depth.
On Tuesday, the Chiefs took a closer look at Shilique Calhoun, Justus Reed and Kobe Jones at Arrowhead on official visits. In response, the team signed Calhoun to the practice squad. Let’s take a closer look at what they are getting.
Shilique Calhoun has signed with the Chiefs.
Calhoun is an interesting outside linebacker/defensive end who should be familiar to Chiefs fans as a former member of the Oakland Raiders. He was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, but had a hard time finding playing time at the pro level despite being a top 75 pick in his respective draft class after being a three-time All-American for the Spartans.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, the most that Calhoun could muster in terms of a pass rush was a single half-sack from his rookie campaign. From there, he bounced between the active roster and practice squad as a rarely used rotational lineman who was clearly not working well with the scheme in place.
The New England Patriots then signed Calhoun to a one-year deal in 2019 and asked him to come back again on another one-year deal in 2020. Calhoun wasn’t that much more productive with New England but he did provide 18 pressures and 2 sacks in 10 games last year for the Pats.
At this point, Calhoun has given no one a reason to believe he can match any sort of pro projections placed upon him before he was drafted, but he can serve as security on the roster in case of further injuries up front for the Chiefs.