When draft season rolls around, mock drafts take up much of everyone's timeline online. You have your usual top choices paired with the team you are mocking for. Then there are specific late-round options that continue to generate intrigue.
Duke pass rusher VJ Anthony was one of the names that stood out as a tantalizing late-day three bet. In the end, nobody drafted Anthony. He eventually signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
Kansas City has had its share of UDFA hits in recent years. Chris Roland-Wallace is the most recent notable example. The versatile defensive back has remained on the roster over the past two years.
For Anthony, there are reasons to believe he could have one of the best chances of any incoming rookie UDFA to make the Chiefs' roster. This is due to both his top strengths as a player and the current structure of Kansas City's defense.
VJ Anthony offers elusiveness Chiefs have lacked
What are Anthony's top traits coming out of Duke? First and foremost, he has the length that all NFL teams covet when building the trenches. His arms measured 34 1/8 inches at the Scouting Combine. He pairs those long arms with explosive strides when getting off the ball as a pass rusher.
Anthony crashes smoothly yet aggressively when asked to work from wide alignments. He is capable of offering some bend and shifty change of direction when battling pass protectors up front. Other than rookie second-round pick R. Mason Thomas, Kansas City really does not have that type of bend at the defensive end position.
Anthony's possible role in Kansas City
As he enters the league as a rookie undrafted free agent, Anthony appears more comfortable as a pass rusher who pins his ears back and goes. Can the Chiefs find value in making him a designated pass rusher throughout training camp? Obviously, they will attempt to see growth in other areas. But if he makes an impact and finds his way onto the roster, Kansas City is best served by simply letting him chase the opposing quarterback.
With average play, at best, as an edge setter and run defender, Anthony will truly need to hold his own in physical battles during camp. That is seemingly going to be the deciding factor in whether he makes the team or is protected on the practice squad.
Can his play style be the difference in sticking with K.C.?
Kansas City does not have many pass rushers of this ilk. Anthony's combination of length and lateral agility is definitely an adequate bet worth taking if you are the Chiefs. The team has so many stoutly built defensive ends who attempt to reduce rush angles and work through blockers. The chance to utilize players like Thomas—or even Anthony—who can run around offensive linemen is simply too refreshing to imagine for the K.C. defense.
Because of how the Chiefs' defensive line is currently constructed, Anthony is presented with one of the more compelling opportunities of any UDFA in Kansas City training camp.
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