Here’s our rundown of the rookie free agents who have signed with Kansas City so far.
The 2024 NFL Draft is finally in the books. After seven rounds and well over 200 selections, the dreams of so many former college football stars have come true. However, that also means that many more were left unselected and their futures are now up in the air as they hope to find that last gasp at the professional level as an undrafted player.
Every year, NFL teams sign rookie free agents or undrafted free agents (also called priority free agents) in the hopes of unearthing a hidden gem. The good news for those players is that there are numerous success stories to be found on every roster—and not just one or two of them.
Remember that so many players selected in the final day of the draft—from around the draft's halfway point going forward—are taken for scheme-specific reasons. It's not that player taken at No. 149 overall is better than No. 150 or even 175. Rather, it just means that the team that was up at No. 149 required someone to perform a specific function in a specific role.
That means some players with solid draft grades on the Chiefs board might go unselected simply because Brett Veach didn't have enough picks and other teams aren't asking their players to do what the Chiefs are doing.
In the past, the Chiefs have leaned on guys like Darrel Williams on offense, Charvarius Ward on defense, or Tommy Townsend on special teams. All three were rookie free agents. On this year's team, several young players vying for playing time were all undrafted in the past—from defensive linemen like Malik Herring and Turk Wharton to offensive lineman Mike Caliendo to wideouts Justyn Ross or Nikko Remigio. Last year, Deneric Prince was another.
Any undrafted rookies will be joining the following class for the Chiefs:
- Round 1 - Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
- Round 2 - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
- Round 4 - Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
- Round 4 - Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
- Round 5 - Hunter Nourzad, OL, Penn State
- Round 6 - Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee
- Round 7 - C.J. Hanson, OL, Holy Cross
Who could be the next UDFA to make the Chiefs? Here's a list of undrafted players on the Chiefs this season.
TD AYO-DUROJAIYE, RB, VILLANOVA (RC invite)
A core special teamer for Villanova and rotational, short-yardage running back who had 89 carries for 444 yards and 8 touchdowns. Hoping to catch Dave Toub's eye with his experience.
EMANI BAILEY, RB, TCU
Bailey transferred from Louisiana in his first two seasons to TCU for his junior and senior years and finally found the chance he was looking for in 2023 as a featured back. Given the opportunity, he rushed for 1,209 yards on 223 carries—good for a 5.4 yards/carry average—and 8 touchdowns.
MILES BATTLE, CB, UTAH
Lengthy rotational defensive back for the Utes who played in all 13 games last season and had 1 interception and 3 pass breakups.
REGGIE BROWN, WR, JAMES MADISON
A First Team All-Sun Belt performer and Biletnikoff Award finalist. Had 53 catches for 1,054 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns for the Dukes a year ago.
BAYLOR CUPP, TE, TEXAS TECH
Big body at the tight end position at 6'6, 260 lbs. Not a big part of the Red Raiders offense with only 11 catches for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns.
ETHAN DRISKELL, OL, MARSHALL
Ethan Driskell comes to the Chiefs as an experienced starter at tackle who stands 6'8 with an imposing frame and the footwork of a player who played basketball as well. Interesting developmental profile for the PS.
BRYCE GALLAGHER, LB, NORTHWESTERN (RC invite)
An older prospect with 41 games of experience with the Wildcats going back to 2019. Had visits with the Steelers, Patriots, Packers, and Bears before the draft.
JAARON HAYEK, WR, VILLANOVA (RC invite)
One of a few 'Nova players invited to rookie minicamp for the Chiefs. Caught 35 passes for 457 yards and 4 touchdowns in '23.
BRYCE HOUSTON, LB, OHIO (RC invite)
A leader on the Bobcats defense and a tackling machine with 127 combined tackles in '23, including 12.5 for a loss. The former wrestler was a 3x captain for Ohio and added 3 INTs and 2.5 sacks as a well-rounded MIKE. High effort player who could surprise.
CURTIS JACOBS, LB, PENN STATE
Two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten the last two seasons with good size, strength, and burst. A bit surprising he wasn't drafted and could be a sleeper pick on a team that should have some real competition for that final linebacker spot on the active roster.
MARIO KENDRICKS, EDGE, VIRGINIA TECH (RC invite)
Semi-regular starter along the defensive interior for the Hokies. Likely looking to bulk up a bit more at the next level, but profiles as a rotational disruptor if he can find a lane for the Chiefs.
SAM LOCKETT, S, WASHINGTON STATE (RC invite)
The running mate alongside Jaden Hicks, the team's fourth-round pick, also gets an invite to rookie minicamp to show if the tandem can work together in the pros. Had 73 tackles and 2 interceptions last year for the Cougars.
FABIAN LOVETT, DL, FLORIDA STATE
Profiles as a rotational run-plugger with the length and strength to stand out if given the chance after earning honorable mention All-ACC twice with the Seminoles.
DESHAWN McCARTHY, EDGE, EAST STROUDSBURG (RC invite)
Lots of production in the opponent's backfield in his career, although competitive levels will call all of that into question. Good opportunity for the Chiefs to see if there's a hidden gem from East Stroudsburg here or not. Has the length to succeed.
EYABI OKIE-ANOMA, EDGE, CHARLOTTE
A very intriguing defensive end prospect who began his career with Nick Saban at Bama and ended up at four total schools—ending at Charlotte last year as an All-AAC performer with 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
TREY POTTS, RB, PENN STATE (RC invite)
Potts is used to running behind Chiefs draftee Hunter Nourzad already. Rarely used rotational back who had 25 carries for 122 yards in 12 games for the Nittany Lions.
NOAH RAUSCHENBERG, K, NORTH TEXAS (RC invite)
The Chiefs always like to keep tabs on potential free agents in cases of emergency at the specialist roles, so it's not a surprise to see a young kicker brought in like Rauschenberg, who converted 16 of 19 field goal attempts in '23.
RYAN REHKOW, P, BYU
One of the country's best collegiate punters has been added on a rookie free agent deal to compete with Matt Araiza in training camp. Tommy Townsend's job is up for grabs but apparently the Chiefs aren't ready to concede it to Araiza without some competition.
CHRISTIAN ROLAND-WALLACE, DB, USC
The Chiefs forked over a reported $150K bonus to lure Roland-Wallace in the aftermath of the draft, which means he had a place of primacy on their draft board despite not being selected by them (or any team. Shows a knack for making plays on the ball with 8 PBUs and 2 INTs last year for USC after transferring from Arizona as a redshirt senior.
SPENCER SANDERS, QB, OLE MISS (RC invite)
Won 30 games as a starter for Oklahoma State before transferring to Ole Miss but remained in a reserve role after the change. Is OSU's career rushing leader as a quarterback and third in passing touchdowns.
CARSON STEELE, RB, UCLA
Steele was one of the Chiefs' 30 official pre-draft visits, so it's not a shock to see that he found a way to the team after going undrafted, This bodes well for his chances considering KC failed to draft a single running back despite an obvious need. Had 167 carries for 847 yards for UCLA after transferring from Ball State hoping to prove he could handle greater competition.
NICK TORRES, OT, VILLANOVA
The Villanova product signed with the Chiefs as a former tackle and guard at Villanova, but he profiles entirely inside at the next level. Good frame at 6'6, 320 lbs. who put up great times in the short shuttle and put up a great vertical leap.
JAYLON WHITE-MCCLAIN, DE, OLD DOMINION
An undersized lineman who didn't play much at ODU. Had only 15 total tackles in 12 games last year.
Keep this bookmarked for updates!