Since last season, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks has a new ongoing pre-draft tradition of creating what he calls the Wes Welker list -- a collection of 10 unheralded players from smaller schools or smaller roles who don't receive the hype. Last year, he called out Julian Edelman, who became a real draft highlight for the Patriots, and hit on seven of 10 players overall who are still on an NFL team's active roster. This year, he presented 10 more, a few of which might be interesting for the Chiefs in the later rounds.
Below are a select few of Banks' notes that seemed possibly interesting for the Chiefs late-round options:
NFL personnel men love Harewood's massive 6-foot-7, 355-pound frame, and the native of Barbados is a physics and engineering major who wows scouts with his blend of intelligence and physicality. NFL types don't always make it to Morehouse's pro day, but almost 20 teams were represented this year, and they were all there to check out a prospect who projects to either the seventh round or priority free-agent.
Reggie Stephens, OG/C, Iowa State
He played in the East-West Shrine Game, but didn't rate a combine invite despite being an All-Big 12 honorable mention pick as a senior. Stephens helped himself on the Cyclones' pro day, measuring in at 6-3, 314 pounds, with 31 bench press reps and a respectable 5.26 in the 40. His versatility and athleticism are pluses, and new Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice was reportedly at Iowa State's pro day just to assess Stephens's late-round viability.
Andrew George, TE, Brigham Young
He was the second tight end for the 11-2, nationally ranked Cougars last season, behind standout Dennis Pitta, an All-America pick who is projected to go in the third round. But George has sparked interest this spring as well, and some compare him favorably to former BYU and Philadelphia Eagles tight end Chad Lewis, who he has trained with this year. George is 6-4, 247 pounds, with good hands and athleticism, and scouts feel he'll grow into a decent blocker.
Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green
Barnes is another prospect overlooked by those who determine the combine invite list, but he had a solid week at the East-West Shrine Game and was a proven collegiate performer, with a mind-boggling, NCAA-record setting 155 catches in 2009. But his issue is speed. He didn't run well at his pro day, posting times in the 4.6-4.7 range, and is more of a possession-type receiver than home run threat. "He hasn't run well, but he was so productive you can't ignore him," one scout said. "He's very instinctive, and even at the tail end of the draft, I can see him doing something in the league."