Chiefs finding success developing undrafted players into key contributors
It is rare for NFL teams to find young high-level talent in undrafted free agency. Teams have seven rounds worth of opportunities to snag them in the draft, but the Kansas City Chiefs have managed to turn unsung prospects into legitimate contributors over the past few years.
Guys like Charvarius Ward, Byron Pringle, Darrel Williams, Marcus Kemp, Tershawn Wharton, Andrew Wylie and Derrick Gore were all snubbed by other teams in the draft process. Yet, they each made their way to Kansas City and have managed to become key players for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Reporters made a point to bring up the contributions of the underdog players during the Chiefs eight-game win streak when they had time with Andy Reid during his media availability on Monday. Asked specifically about the job general manager Brett Veach has done to find diamonds in the rough like Pringle and Gore, Reid made it clear that the front office leaves no stone unturned and said that the experience they have as coaches informs their ability to find quality talent.
“I think they do a phenomenal job,” Reid explained about the decision-makers in the front office. “One great thing about Brett (Veach) is he’s a good communicator and he talks to the coaches and finds out what they need and want and makes whatever scheme they’re working with fit. I appreciate that. He’s been on the coaching side, so he knows the challenges there and he’s able to kind of work that in with the personnel side and challenges they have on the personnel side and blend it.
“He does a good job. He’s got a good staff too, so those guys bust their tail to get everything right. His right-hand guys, (Mike) Borgonzi, they work hand and hand and attack. I mean you guys know, you guys have talked to Brett and you know how he rolls so he’s always keeping his eyes open.”
The rich have been getting richer in recent offseasons, and Kansas City has been no exception as they manage to pull in high-end talent seemingly at will when the draft concludes. Undrafted players make up nearly 14% of all players on NFL 53-man rosters in a given season, and the Chiefs have proven that developing those players is key in building a competent roster. It takes players who can play specific roles in specific situations to stay ahead of the curve and become a consistent threat to win a championship.
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