Every year we’re surprised by a few undrafted players who end up contributing to the Chiefs. Here’s our rundown of this year’s rookie free agents.
There are surprises every year. No matter how talented the roster looks, despite however many draft picks Brett Veach has, there are always at least a few players who seem to break through the competition of players with more experience or acclaim to make their presence felt. It’s what makes signing undrafted free agents so important for the Kansas City Chiefs—and every other team in the league.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term UDFA, you should know that after the seven full rounds of the annual NFL Draft are closed, every unselected player becomes a free agent in the eyes of the National Football League. That means those players are free to sign with any team at any time. For some, it’s even better than being drafted because it can come with heftier signing bonuses.
Back to their importance for a second. Some UDFAs become quite the story and break through to major achievements. Former Chiefs legend Brian Waters was a rookie free agent. So was Chiefs Hall of Fame defensive back Emmitt Thomas.
Every specialist on the Chiefs right now went undrafted, including kicker Harrison Butker and punter Tommy Townsend. Daniel Sorensen played 8 years in the secondary after going undrafted. Jody Fortson has been a nice find as an undrafted wideout-turned-tight end, while Turk Wharton will be back for another season after going undrafted out of Missouri S&T. Newer players who are exciting to fans as UDFAs include wide receiver Justyn Ross and quarterback Shane Buechele.
Keep this page bookmarked to stay on top of undrafted free agent signings for the Kansas City Chiefs. Check out the list below:
Connor Blumrick, TE, Virginia (minicamp invite)
Chamarri Conner’s teammate was a rarely used offensive weapon (8 catches in ’22), but the Chiefs clearly like something about his skill set.
Aidan Borguet, RB, Harvard (minicamp invite)
Had 206 carries for 1,182 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in ’22 and 25 total rushing touchdowns in his three-year career at Harvard with a healthy 5.9 yards/carry.
Ekow Boye-Doe, CB, Kansas State (minicamp invite)
Teammates with the Chiefs first-round choice, Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Experienced corner with 35 starts in Big 12 play. Earned honorable mention all-conference.
Carvin is a sixth-year senior who stands at 6’3″, 307 lbs. and played with current Chiefs linemen Wanya Morris (before he transferred to Oklahoma) and Trey Smith. KC saw him at East-West Shrine Bowl. Loads of experience with many starts at left guard (21), right guard (17), and center (5).
Jake Coffman, LS, Missouri (minicamp invite)
It’s always a good thing to do your research at every position. In case something happens to James Winchester, the Chiefs need to know they have a guy behind every position.
Limited production at New Hampshire with 892 career receiving yards to go with 11 touchdowns over four years. Incredible short shuttle time (4.00) and impressive 40-yard dash (4.43)
A fifth-year senior with Longhorns who was honorable mention All-Big 12. Has obvious athletic makeup and versatility from having played all over secondary. Has real limitations in coverage.
Arnold Crayton, DE, Missouri Western (minicamp invite)
The special teams wonder had 5 blocked field goals—FIVE!—in his career for the Griffons.
Alonzo Davis, CB, Northern Arizona
Earned four invitations to minicamp but accepted K.C.’s. Had 9 PBUs and 2 INTs last season
Originally from Garden City, Kansas, Elliott is a 307 lb. lineman who made 42 starts in the Big Ten for the Hoosiers.
Jake Gerardi, P, Southern Utah
First-Team All-WAC. Important player to keep on file in case something happens to Chiefs specialists.
Anderson Hardy, OL, Appalachian State
Chiefs also showed interested in App State teammate Cooper Hodges. All Sun Belt first team. Starter at left tackle with high blocking marks from PFF.
Blake Haynes, OL, Tarleton State
FCS product. Made All-WAC First Team who is longtime interior starter for the Texans.
Jamal Hines, LB, Toledo (minicamp invite)
It’s hard to ignore the incredible production of Hines the last few years at Toledo, an outside linebacker with 47 career tackles for loss and 22 sacks to go with 4 interceptions.
Te’Vailance Hunt, WR, Arkansas State (minicamp invite)
The Chiefs have signed a couple of Red Wolves players to UDFA deals over the years, and Hunt could be the latest if he impresses in camp.
Had 25 catches for 285 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Green Wave.
Chiefs handed out sizable bonus to Jones to join the roster. Three-time captain who struggled with injuries with Hoosiers and missed all but 5 games last year. Undersized but plays bigger with real heart and tenacity. Great tackler.
Team captain at Harvard who enjoyed a top 30 visit with the Chiefs before the draft. Veach has likely been eyeing him all along for this very signing after already seeing him up close. Six sacks and 13 TFL last year.
James Letcher, WR, Washburn (minicamp invite)
Had over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last year along with 2 punt returns for touchdowns.
A regional defensive back gets a chance to crack the Chiefs roster. Played in every game as a freshman and made every start thereafter, giving him three productive seasons for the Tigers. Very physical, strong leader.s
Honorable mention All-ACC performer who had 15 tackles for loss and 3 sacks in 2022.
Joshua Mote, OL, Louisiana Tech (minicamp invite)
Mote is a versatile interior lineman who was a longtime starter at left guard before adding some starting reps at center to his repertoire in ’22. Some solid blocking scores from PFF this season. Also invited to Seahawks minicamp.
Transferred to Marshall after starting at Austin Peay. Had 23 tackles for Thundering Herd and 1 forced fumble.
Zane Pope, WR, Fresno State (minicamp invite)
Had 50 catches for 623 yards and 4 touchdowns for Fresno State.
Productive back from Tulsa who started collegiate career at Texas A&M. Runs 4.41 second time in 40-yard dash and averaged 5.5 yards/carry in college. Chiefs have to love athletic makeup. Lot to like here long-term and strong sleeper in camp.
Nikko Remigio, WR, Fresno State
Made the second-team All-Mountain West as both a wideout and returner, which gives him some nice flexibility for Chiefs coaches. Had 74 catches for 852 yards and 6 touchdowns and returned two punts for touchdowns in ’22.
Tyler Roberts, HB/FB, Merrimack (minicamp invite)
An h-back from Merrimack who received a minicamp invite for a closer look. It’s notable that Michael Burton left the Chiefs and the FB role has not been filled yet.
Ty Scott is a two-time, All MVFC performer who measures in at 6’1″, 199 lbs. After starting his career at Central Michigan, Scott transferred to Missouri State and put up 48 catches for 674 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Bears.
Chris Simon, OL, South Carolina State (minicamp invite)
Small-school interior lineman played in this year’s HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Allen Smith, RB, Brown (minicamp invite)
The Chiefs were plenty active scouting in the Ivy League this year. Brown was honorable mention all conference with 11 rushing touchdowns in ’22.
Tom Pellissero is reporting that the Chiefs gave out a significant amount of bonus money to make this happen. The 5’9, 188 lb. corner turned in great times in the short shuttle and 3-cone drills at pro day.
Caleb Thomas, DL, Louisiana-Monroe (minicamp invite)
Older prospect who was a grad student at UL-Monroe after transferring from UConn. Plays with great motor and nice initial burst and showed some solid Sun Belt production.
Turner was an intriguing end zone option for the Rockets last year with 8 touchdowns, but with only 46 total catches in his collegiate career, the Chiefs’ interest is likely more about projection than the actual body of work. Also invited to Saints minicamp.
Anthony Witherstone, CB, Merrimack
A long pass defender with proven ball skills (19 career pass breakups, 4 interceptions) who put on a show at Harvard’s pro day.