The Chiefs list 46 players in the rookie minicamp on a try out basis. They include local standouts such as center Travis Anderson from Derby, Kan., and Tulsa punter Dalton Parks from Staley High School as well as a smattering of veterans such as kicker Garrett Hartley, who played six seasons in the NFL.
Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt answers questions from reporters during the team’s rookie minicamp on May 6, 2017. (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
Reid said he tells the tryout players this is an opportunity that not everyone gets to show what they can do.
“You get them uniform, we’re going to coach the dog out of you like you’re one of the guys and we roll,” Reid said. “For three days they’re Kansas City Chiefs, and that’s the way we approach it as coaches and I expect them to do the same as players.”
The minicamp is non-contact, so Reid says causing a ruckus and rolling around on the ground doesn’t impress anyone.
“Handling whatever we throw at you the best you can, that’s what kind of stands out to the coaches,” Reid said.
But for Reid, the minicamp stands out for its opportunity to offer lessons to young players.
“From a teaching standpoint it’s always exciting and I’m sure this won’t be any different,” Reid said.
THE NUMBERS GAME
The new Chiefs draft picks have their uniform numbers. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes wore No. 5 at Texas Tech, but that number already belongs to kicker Cairo Santos. The rookie debated a single-digit number, but eventually settled on No. 15.
“It still has the number five in it a little bit,” Mahomes said. “At the same time, I was number 15 during my freshman year of basketball so I went back to that. I wanted to make my own number and do a new thing in this next chapter in life.”
Running back Kareem Hunt chose No. 27 over Nos. 30 and 34.
“I had a few numbers to pick from, and 27, I feel like looks like me a little bit,” Hunt said. “I’m okay with it.”
Other rookie numbers include wide receiver Jehu Chesson wearing No. 80; linebacker Ukeme Eligwe, No. 45; DL Tanoh Kpassagnon, No. 92; and defensive back Leon McQuay III, No. 34.
Hunt said the number he wears is a small consequence for him.
“Honestly, it really doesn’t matter about the number,” he said. “It’s just going out there and playing ball.”
PLAYS OF THE DAY
No. 1: QB Joel Stave to WR Jehu Chesson
Stave, who joined the Chiefs practice squad last season, connected on a well-placed deep ball to Chesson, who secured the ball going to the ground along the sideline for a big gain.
No. 2: ILB Jordan Herdman interception
The rookie linebacker appeared in the mix on multiple plays, none better than grabbing a batted pass from Patrick Mahomes on the deflection and racing for a pick-6 touchdown. The 5-11, 238-pounder from Canada’s Simon Fraser University, lacks the traditional size but playes with ferocity, totaling 113 tackles last season and earning a Division II All-American award from the American Football Coaches Association. Herdman is among the players receiving a tryout this weekend.
No. 3: QB Patrick Mahomes to WR Alonzo Moore
Mahomes missed connection on his first few deep balls, but he finally hit the jackpot with a deep ball down the right sideline to Moore. The 6-1, 199-pound receiver from Nebraska is one of the 12 undrafted free agent signings the team announced Saturday. Moore caught 20 passes last season for 375 yards.
———-
Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
———-
