KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs added to their depth at tight end on Friday with the addition of Nick Keizer, a 2018 undrafted free agent from Grand Valley State who spent time with the Baltimore Ravens last season, a source tells Chiefs Digest.
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Keizer brings to Kansas City skills as a big Y-type tight end who specializes as a blocker and red zone target. He saw action in all five preseason games for Baltimore last season.
Keizer played 36 games over three seasons for Grand Valley State, hauling in 45 passes for 734 yards and 11 touchdowns. He showcased his red zone abilities his last season for the Lakers, catching nine touchdown passes and averaging 17.4 yards per reception.
He impressed scouts during his pro day after pounding out 27 reps on the bench press along with a 40-yard dash time in the 4.75 and a 10-foot, 1-inch broad jump. Those performances would have ranked among the top-7 in all three categories at the 2018 NFL Combine. His 27 bench press reps bested the 23 by Dallas Goedert, who led all tight ends at the Combine.
The Chiefs find themselves in need of options at tight end, and continue searching for a big-body to serve as an in-line blocker. Travis Kelce (ankle) and Deon Yelder (undisclosed) did not practice on Thursday, leaving the Chiefs with just Blake Bell, David Wells and H-back candidate John Lovett at tight end. Fullback Anthony Sherman ran through drills with tight ends during OTAs on Thursday and saw action as a pass catcher during team drills.
The club sought to fill the need for a blocking tight end last with the addition of veteran John Phillips. The Chiefs released the 10-year veteran earlier this week.
Keizer expects to join the Chiefs on the field Monday as the club winds down with its final four OTA workouts before their mandatory minicamp June 11-13.
