Report: Chiefs sign defensive lineman Khalen Saunders

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed defensive lineman Khalen Saunders to his rookie contract, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

The Chiefs selected Saunders with the 84th overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach explained on draft night that they were surprised the 22-year-old was still available.

“We had him kind of right in that mid [second round] to low [second-round] level. The fact that he fell to [the third round], we were kind of like, ‘Wow,’” he said. “There was a big gap when we were picking in that third round and he was the highest name on the board. That was a pleasant surprise and I know coach (Brendan) Daly was happy and [Steve Spagnuolo] was happy, so that was a lot of fun to end the night like that.”

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke about the 6-foot Saunders back at rookie minicamp in early May.

“Saunders I like, not just because he can do a backflip at 320 pounds, but he had been a running back in high school,” Reid said. “So here he is now a defensive lineman, so you see that athletic ability and explosion. He’s got good measurables. I’m not talking about height, but I’m talking about girth and size and speed and balance and all of the things that are important, arm length.”

With Saunders’ contract agreed upon, the Chiefs now have deals in place with all six of their draft picks. The Chiefs resume OTAs with their final week set to begin on Tuesday.