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The draft after the NFL Draft was expected to be crazier than usual and loaded with talent this year. Well-prepared teams that are organized and aggressive would be able to stock their 90-man rosters with plays who could have been drafted. The Chiefs fit that description, and with a draft set to end in round five, they would get a head start.
The Chiefs traded back into round seven to get cornerback BoPete Keyes instead of hoping they could get him in free agency. They then hit the phones and landed what appears to be a stellar crop of rookie free agents — maybe the best in the league in recent years. There might be eight or nine of these guys in the mix for roster spots and practice squad jobs.
Chiefs’ undrafted free agent class of 2020
CB Lavert Hill, Michigan
5’10” | 190 lbs
Smaller, press corner with good instincts but lacks in down-field speed. He has the strength and quickness to play in the slot. Had pick-sixes in 2018 and 2017. First-team All-Big Ten as a junior and senior. Had 10 pass breakups, three interceptions in 2019. Hill’s best qualities may be toughness and aggression. The KC Draft Guide listed Hill as the No. 13 cornerback, and a top-100 player with a fourth-round grade. The Chiefs paid Hill a contract with $110,000 guaranteed, indicating there were other teams competing for his services.
OT Yasir Durant, Missouri
6’7” | 330lbs
Durant was listed as the No. 1 undrafted tackle by NFL.com. The KC Draft Guide listed Durant as the No. 17 offensive tackle, No. 134 overall and a fourth-round grade. A massive lineman, he looks like a tackle on paper but has limited movement ability and could be moving inside. He can really anchor and maul defenders with his upper body strength. The Chiefs gave Durant $150,000 guaranteed, the third-highest of any undrafted free agent in the NFL. Look for Yasir to compete for a role in 2020-21 as a swing tackle or guard.
CB Jarvaris Davis, Auburn
5’8” | 183lbs
Davis was listed as the No. 1 undrafted cornerback by NFL.com. Davis can fly, running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. He recorded 124 inches in the broad jump. He’s a cousin of Vernon and Vontae Davis. He’s small but has played inside and outside, and he impressed at the Senior Bowl. Hies best qualities are his speed and ball skills.
IOL Darryl Williams, Mississippi State
6’3” | 310lbs
Williams was listed as the No. 2 undrafted interior offensive lineman by NFL.com. He is not the most athletic lineman but is a smart and capable blocker who has center and guard versatility. He’s a tough guy and a finisher who understands assignments. The Chiefs paid Williams $107,000 in guaranteed money, and there’s a chance he’ll get to compete for a job at center.
WR Kalija Lipscomb, Vanderbilt
6’0 | 207lbs
Williams was listed as the No. 1 undrafted wide receiver by NFL.com. A strong route runner with soft hands, yards-after-catch ability and some punt-return work. The Chiefs paid Lipscomb $110,000 guaranteed in his contract. Lipscomb could be one of those receivers who has a long career because he does all of the little things that help the team.
S Rodney Clemons, SMU
6’0 | 209lbs
Williams was listed as the No. 9 undrafted safety by NFL.com. Clemons is a versatile safety that lacks ideal speed (4.71-second 40) but could contribute in sub-packages as a box safety or man coverage underneath. He has great ball skills and is an aggressive hitter. He could win a job on special teams or end up on the Chiefs’ practice squad.
P Tommy Townsend, Florida
6’2” | 176lbs
Townsend was listed as the No. 4 undrafted punter by NFL.com. Townsend averaged 44.8 yards per punt with a couple of 71-yard punts. His brother is also a punter who was drafted by the Raiders in 2018. He seems to have the ability to pin his kicks inside the 20 with regularity and is pretty good with directional kicks. He once converted a fake-punt run for a first down, and he does have experience as a holder. Townsend is the favorite to win the punter responsibility for the Chiefs after the release of Dustin Colquitt.
LB Omari Cobb, Marshall
6’3” | 229lbs
Cobb is long and lanky but shows the ability to sift through traffic and close. He’s a prolific tackler and potential standout on special teams. He might benefit from the Chiefs training staff and bulk up to prototypical Spagnuolo linebacker size. He is an ideal candidate for the practice squad.
DE Tershawn Wharton, Missouri S&T
6’4” | 255lbs
Wharton dominated the competition at a small school and opened eyes at the East-West Shrine Bowl. After setting school records in 2017 with 21 tackle for loss and 13.5 sacks, he faced double and triple teams his senior year and still managed 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He also had an 81-yard return of a fumble for a touchdown. He might get a look at EDGE in Kansas City.
WR Cody White, Michigan State
6’3” | 217lbs
Big receiver who lacks ideal speed but has been improving throughout his career. His dad, Sheldon White, played in the NFL and worked in the Lions front office. Great hands and good route runner but struggles with press coverage and physicality which will make his road to the NFL difficult.
WR Andre Baccelia, Washington
5’10” | 175lbs
Baccelia can catch the ball in traffic with some speed to get up-field. Might be a possession or slot receiver at the next level. That hasn’t traditionally been a position the Chiefs have sought out, so it’s probably an uphill battle to see Baccelia on the roster.
CB Hakeem Bailey, West Virginia
6’0” | 188lbs
Two career interceptions, two forced fumbles and 16 passes defended as a three-year starter. Good size and speed prospect to develop — perhaps a practice squad candidate.
IOL Jovahn Fair, Temple
6’2” | 315lbs
Four-year starter at left guard who was named one of the toughest players on the team. He also achieved a number of academic honors as a graduate student athlete. Teams always add several offensive linemen to compete in camp, but it’s difficult to predict who has a real shot until they line up.
WR Maurice Ffrench, Pittsburgh
5’11” | 180lbs
Ffrench was a highly-productive receiver, runner and returner. A combine snub, he reportedly ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash anyway. He’s elusive and quick with good hands. His best chance of making the roster is as a return specialist.
WR Aleva Hifo, BYU
5’10” | 187lbs
Highly productive in the slot and on jet sweeps, and he is also a kick and punt-return specialist. He has good speed and playmaking ability. The team seems to be looking at a lot of players in the Tyreek Hill mold, but there aren’t many that can do what he does.
S Jalen Julius, Ole Miss
5’11” | 175lbs
Julius is a speedy (4.4-second 40 time at his pro day), physical defensive back who can cover. He might have some versatility at corner as well. The Chiefs do have an opening after Kendall Fuller’s departure.
WR Justice Shelton-Mosley, Vanderbilt
5’10” | 170lbs
A productive, multi-purpose threat (WR/RB/KR/PR) as a graduate transfer with a degree in economics from Harvard. He seems like an interesting guy but probably has a slim chance to make the roster.
LB Bryan Wright, Cincinnati
6’3” 238lbs
He has great length and size and plays with some nastiness. Wright had 100 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a team captain and first-team All-AAC performer last year. He might be someone who can compete at training camp.