2022 Kansas City Chiefs undrafted free agents tracker

Every year we’re surprised by a couple of undrafted players who end up contributing to the Chiefs. Here’s our rundown of this year’s signings.

Every year, the Kansas City Chiefs land a list of several players following the draft with signing bonuses and hopes of making their NFL hopes come true following the NFL’s annual first-year player draft. Whether they’re called rookie free agents or priority free agents or undrafted free agents, the definition is the same for prospects who were passed over by all 32 teams in the seven-round event.

Lest you think that means these players have no real shot at the professional level, think again. Every year features plenty of UDFAs making the leap to active rosters. As the saying goes, all they need is a chance.

Recent Chiefs’ history speaks to this very truth. Byron Pringle was a rookie free agent who signed and went to make more money with the Chicago Bears in free agency this offseason. Charvarius Ward was an undrafted free agent when he made the Chiefs and he cashed in with the San Francisco 49ers only a month ago. Darrel Williams is now on the market hoping to do the same.

The Chiefs have plenty of other former UDFAs on the roster right now, from punter Tommy Townsend to quarterback Shane Buechele. Defensive lineman Turk Wharton and Malik Herring both went undrafted, as did defensive backs DiCaprio Bootle, Zayne Anderson, and Devon Key. In other words, there’s every reason to believe that one or more of the players who land with the Chiefs following the draft will make the most of their opportunity..

We will keep track of all undrafted free agents here as they sign with the Chiefs along with some indication of the value they bring and how they might make it work in Kansas City.

BRANDON BARLOW, DE (Mini-camp invite)

The Boston College defensive end wasn’t signed to a rookie free agent deal (yet) but received a rookie mini-camp invitation. An older prospect who was a sixth-year graduate student, He had 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last year for the Eagles. Lacks projectable traits that would get him drafted, but effort, quickness, and instincts earn him a look with the Chiefs here.

TREVOR BEGUE, WR

Trevor Begue’s path to the pros is a weird one, from McNeese State to Incarnate Word—hardly the stepping stones that fans are used to hear about. Interestingly enough, the stats don’t really tell the story either, given that Begue had only 46 catches for 620 yards and 3 touchdowns in his single season at IW. Repped by Cole Beasley’s agent and could conjure those comparisons in a best-case scenario.

QUA BROWN, S

Brown comes from the Southern Illinois Salukis, so any question of his ability to make the leap to the Chiefs will begin with his origins in the FCS. That said, he was a second-team All-American there and was as productive as you’d hope he’d be on that level with six forced fumbles in his career. He had 88 tackles and 3 interceptions last year in ’21.

MIKE CALIENDO, C

The Western Michigan product is the third such player hanging around Arrowhead these days along with second-round pick Skyy Moore and rookie tryout candidate Bryce Nunnally. A 6’4, 300 lb. lineman, Caliendo has extensive experience (56 games!) playing all three interior positions along the offensive front, so there’s value here if his skill set is up to the pro level.

MALIK CLARK, OL (Mini-camp invite)

Malik Clark just wrapped up his collegiate career at Kansas after years of serving as the Jayhawks’ starter at left guard. He’s hoping to stay local by turning heads at the Chiefs rookie mini-camp coming soon.

JACK COCHRANE, LB

Cochrane is a well-built linebacker from South Dakota with some real athletic burst and had a decent chance of being drafted per analysts. The Chiefs did well to bring him in as a rookie free agent to see what he might add along with Leo Chenal to the linebacking corps as rookies. Projects as a well-rounded player with NFL-level traits. It’s also why the Chiefs gave him a $150K bonus.

DUSTIN CRUM, QB

Longshot to even make it in K.C. as a developmental arm against the likes of Shane Buechele and Anthony Gordon, but brings a lean build and underdog mentality to the NFL with a nothing-to-lose attitude. Threw for 20 touchdowns and 6 interceptions last year for Golden Flashes and also rushed for 703 yards and another 12 scores.

DEVIN DARRINGTON, RB (Mini-camp invite)

The running back originally went to Harvard but transferred to Virginia as a graduate student to finish up his collegiate career. The 5’9″ back might be one of the impressive late-round flyers that Brett Veach alluded to before the draft, saying this class had a lot of late-round options he liked in the backfield. Was Harvard’s leading rusher in 2019 and rushed for 7.4 yards/carry last season in limited duty for the Cavaliers.

JERRION EALY, RB

Ealy was a productive back at Ole Miss who recently ran a 4.43 second time in the 40 at his pro day. Got solid hands and can be a weapon out of the backfield, but he has to work on blocking and lacks elite speed to get outside well. That said, his agility and acceleration make him a solid returner and he comes with plenty of experience there.

TAYON FLEET-DAVIS, RB

Fleet-Davis is a redshirt senior from Maryland who led the Terps in rushing this season with 721 yards and 8 touchdowns on 128 attempts to go with another 305 yards on 32 catches through the air. Didn’t time well in the 40-yard dash (4.73 seconds) at his pro day but the Chiefs clearly want to see more.

NASIR GREER, S

The Chiefs welcomed Greer to Arrowhead on a prospect visit before the draft for this very moment—the chance to bring him in after the draft. The Wake Forest product was a freshman starter for the Deacons but injuries limited him in recent years, so the Chiefs might have a chance to find a solid prospect on the other side of an ACL injury if things work out.

CALEB HOLDEN, DB 

The Chiefs have added another older prospect in Merrimack defensive back Caleb Holden. Originally a transfer from Union, Holden had 26 total tackles, 8 pass breakups, and 1 interception last season. The good news here is that there’s also some return experience in his portfolio. Holden is smaller at 5’10”, 180 lbs. but some S/T experience in his portfolio could give him an edge in rookie mini-camp.

SHERWIN LAVAKA, LB (Mini-camp invite)

Lavaka is a linebacker prospect from Weber State who was named honorable mention All-Big Sky in ’21. Had 42 tackles, three of them for a loss, and 3 QB hurries in 11 starts.

KOMOTAY KOFFIE, DB

The University of Northern Colorado took in Koffie as a graduate transfer from New Mexico State this past year and put up modest totals of 30 tackles and 2 pass breakups. Coming into the draft, the defensive back knew he’d been a priority free agent, but said he’s just hungry for a chance. As the older brother of Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Kwity Paye, he’s familiar with what it takes to make it at the top.

BREON MICHEL, WR (Mini-camp invite)

The Chiefs struck gold once at Missouri S&T with the signing of undrafted defensive lineman Turk Wharton, so maybe they can add another diamond in the rough to the offensive side. Michel put up big numbers after sitting out the 2020 COVID-affected season with 63 catches for 1,042 yards and 14 touchdowns. Before sitting out, Michel had a bit of experience returning kicks, but it’s unknown if that will be a point of focus in camp.

JAYLON MONROE, DB (Mini-camp invite)

Jaylon Monroe is a talented safety from Tulane whose body of work earned him looks from both the New Orleans Saints and Chiefs with mini-camp invites. That’s a bit of leverage for Monroe to get one or the other to sign him, although he still faces an uphill climb like all undrafted players. Fortunately, he showed ball skills with a team-leading 12 pass breakups while making 12 starts at corner for the Green Wave.

TRISTAN NICHOLS, DL (Mini-camp invite)

The Chiefs are just one of the teams hoping to get a closer look at Nichols after he wrapped his career at the University of Nevada. The Giants, Colts, and Falcons have all offered him camp invites, so it’s odd that no one has just signed him outright.  He was All-Mountain West First Team with 10 sacks last season.

BRYCE NUNNALLY, WR (Mini-camp invite)

Skyy Moore was the prized prospect on Western Michigan’s roster, but Bryce Nunnally was a fellow wideout with similar hopes and he’s joining his teammate as a mini-camp invite.

IKE ONWUASOANYA, DT (Mini-camp invite)

Colorado State Unversity in Pueblo isn’t exactly a pro football pipeline by any means, but the Chiefs have found defensive tackles in crazy places before (Western Illinois and Missouri S&T come to mind). Ike Onwuasoanya played three seasons at Texas Southern before dominating at CSU-Pueblo this past year to the tune of 9 sacks and 17 tackles for loss.

KENDRICK PRICE, WR (Mini-camp invite)

Kendrick Price is a wide receiver prospect from Northwestern State University looking to make the leap to the NFL. Had 28 catches for 430 yards and 5 touchdowns last season and has a track and field background.

GENE PRYOR, OL

Seriously undersized at 6’2, 299 lbs. if he wants to keep his role as a right tackle in view at the pro level, but he comes with years of experience starting outside for Hawaii with 30 starts. Likely profiles more inside due to size, but there’s a good body of experience here with marked improvements in each season.

ROSS REITER, LS

The Chiefs have invited Ross Reiter to bring his skills into rookie minicamp from Colorado State to see what sort of competition he might bring to the mix.

MIKE ROSE, LB

Thick linebacker with plenty of experience at Iowa State who projects as a backup Sam linebacker who won’t embarrass himself in coverage at the next level. Going to have to make his living at special teams to land any lasting role.

WILL ULMER, OL (Mini-camp invite)

A long-time starting left tackle for the Thundering Herd, Will Ulmer is a Marshall grad who comes to the NFL with years of experience. He was set to try out for the Packers but apparently had a change of plans and will now land with the Chiefs on a rookie mini-camp invite.

PARKER WHITE, K  (Mini-camp invite)

Harrison Butker isn’t going anywhere, but it cannot hurt a team to keep their contact lists updated with new faces to whom they can turn in a pinch, which is why the Chiefs are bringing in Parker White from South Carolina on a mini-camp invite.