Lottery tickets could yield big wins for Chiefs
Identifying undrafted free agents who could fight their way on to the roster
The NFL Draft weekend doesn’t end with the Mr. Irrelevant selection every year. There are good football players who slip through the cracks at the conclusion of every draft. Undrafted free agents (UDFA) are another piece of the roster-building process — and if you have a good plan in place, you can reap the benefits.
Last year the Chiefs had 27 undrafted players suit up at one point on their active roster. NFL rosters are littered with players who have fought their way onto a roster despite not being selected in the draft.
Brett Veach has shown the ability to identify players on the margins and get quality production out of them. Undrafted free agents, practice squad players and reserve/future contract signees are known around here as lottery tickets: players that cost minimal investment that could pay off big with a cost-controlled addition to the 53-man roster.
It’s a numbers game — compile enough quality swings on ability with your undrafted free agents and reserve/future contracts and you’ll land on a couple of contributors. The Chiefs have been great about finding some quality lottery tickets. The list includes the likes of Darrel Williams, Andrew Wylie, Byron Pringle, Ben Niemann and Tershawn Wharton who started their careers in Kansas City as undrafted, practice squad or reserve/future contract players.
Wharton proved to be a great find in the UDFA process last season — turning into a quality rotational defensive lineman who showed promising burst and effort to disrupt plays along the interior. Who could be that guy this year? Here are three top candidates to be contributors and potential long-term additions to the 53-man roster.
CB Dicaprio Bootle, Nebraska
The former Cornhusker earned a fifth-round grade from us in the 2021 KC Draft Guide. He’s a player that profiles in the slot — a position where the Chiefs need additional depth. Should a player like Bootle hit, the Chiefs have more flexibility with 2020 fourth-round pick L’Jarius Sneed — a player who showed outstanding ability both inside and outside. Bootle isn’t a great athlete — or a big one — but possesses great instincts, football character and a willingness to stick his nose into the run fit despite not being the biggest guy.
S/LB Zayne Anderson, BYU
Daniel Sorensen isn’t getting any younger, so naturally the Chiefs added another BYU alum to potentially replace him in the future. The athletic profiles are similar between Anderson and Sorensen. The skillsets are, too. Anderson could develop into a subpackage safety and fulfill some of the roles that Sorensen has held onto in the dime package — operating in the box in light personnel. Special teams will be critical for Anderson if he’s going to stick on the roster short term — and perhaps he can earn time on defense in the future.
CB DeAndre Baker
Baker is perhaps the most unique reserve/future contract in the entire NFL. He experienced many ups and downs already in his NFL career — drafted in the first round, released by the Giants due to an off-field incident a year later, signing to the Chiefs practice squad and breaking his leg in the one game he saw significant snaps in Week 17.
Baker was a practice squad call-up twice last season — and signed a reserve/future contract after the season. The talent is certainly there and the Chiefs felt comfortable with the infrastructure they have with their locker room and coaching staff to support Baker as he gets his career back on track. He should be ready for training camp or close to it, and the Chiefs believe in his talent. He could become a contributor as an outside corner if he continues on the track he’s been on. That would be a big get for a team that hasn’t invested all too much in the cornerback position historically in the Veach era.