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Undrafted free agent signings 2013: Andy Reid explains the importance

How important are undrafted free agents? KC Chiefs Andy Reid explains that those are the second highest number of starters in the NFL (after first round picks).

Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

The 2013 NFL Draft is winding down which means the Kansas City Chiefs will soon start their undrafted free agent signings. These are players who were not selected in the NFL Draft. You can sign as many undrafted free agents as you want -- up to the camp roster limit of 90 players -- but generally only a handful make the team out of training camp.

KC Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently spoke with the Chiefs website about the important of undrafted free agents, and he revealed an interesting fact about UDFAs in the NFL.

"The second greatest number of starters in the National Football League besides first round picks are the college free agents you sign," Reid said. They're all over the place and you just don't realize it. Those are some good football player. Only 50 percent of your first round picks even start and then you drop down to 22 percent for the second round. And you're right at about 22.5, 23 percent of college free agents that start. So the second highest number of starters that you get, it's important that process is handled the right way."

The Chiefs need to get to work then. Late round players that they showed interest in who did not get selected are the group to be keeping an eye on.

Use our Chiefs draft interests table as a reference.

Chiefs 2013 draft picks (so far):

1 (1): OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
3 (63) TE Travis Kelce, Cincinnati
3 (96) RB Knile Davis, Arkansas
4 (99) LB Nico Johnson, Alabama
5 (134) CB Sanders Commings, Georgia
6 (170) C Eric Kush, California (PA)
6 (204)
7 (207)

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