Chiefs sign at least two of six tryout players from mandatory minicamp

Catching up on some news that came through Thursday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed at least two of their six tryout players from mandatory minicamp. The Chiefs also hosted both players on a tryout basis during rookie minicamp back in early May.

Northwest Missouri State FB Josh Caldwell

Josh Caldwell is a 5-foot-11, 220-pound fullback who played college football at Northwest Missouri State.

Caldwell, who is originally from Lee’s Summit, played in all 13 games for Northwest Missouri in 2018, making five starts at the running back position. He led the team with 139 carries in and finished with 830 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. His 2018 effort earned him an All-MIAA honorable mention.

Caldwell compared his own game to that of Arian Foster in an interview with NFL Draft Diamonds.

“[Foster] is a one-cut explosive playmaker with great vision who can catch the ball well out of the backfield and is a reliable pass blocker,” Caldwell said in the interview.

During mandatory minicamp, Caldwell showed an ability to catch the football, a trait the Chiefs like in all their running backs and fullbacks.

Kansas State OG Abdul Beecham

Abdul Beecham is a 6-foot-3, 321-pound guard who played college football at Kansas State.

Beecham’s Wildcat bio says that in 33 career games, Beecham started 29 of them at guard. Beecham started 11 of 12 games for K-State in 2018, when the Wildcat rushing attack averaged 208.6 yards and 2.3 rushing touchdowns per game in the final seven games.

Beecham helped K-State running back Alex Barnes lead the Big 12 with 1,355 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018.

“I pride myself in my pass blocking ability,” Beecham said in an interview with NFLDraftGeek.com in July of 2018. “In pass protection, you have to have quick reflexes, instinct, anticipation and great hands but more importantly you have to have great footwork. I was blessed to have those traits. I am a pretty good basketball player—I love to play. Guys see me on the court and think I can’t move and they are surprised when I am guarding the point guard and stripping the ball from him. I can also jump. Even though I am only 6 feet 3 and 315 pounds I can dunk a basketball. I also have very long arms. My wingspan is that of someone 6 feet 9. I think that all of this translates to football. Instincts, anticipation, quick feet, strong fast hands and long arms are a recipe for success in pass blocking.”

The interview adds that Beecham has played both guard positions and left tackle, which makes sense, as Andy Reid and the Chiefs love a versatile offensive lineman.

A quick nugget

You may have noticed that in the back of shots, the cafeteria wall reads “Be Great.” It’s somewhat notable, as that decal changes year to year with the Chiefs’ motivational phrase for the season (in the past, the wall has read things like, “It’s Time” or “Trust Us”).

After Thursday’s flurry of roster moves and the Beecham and Caldwell signings, the Chiefs’ 90-man roster stands at 89.