Do Chiefs’ undrafted free agent no-names have game?

By Adam Best  |   Wednesday, May 09, 2007  |  Comments( 22 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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Every year, all 32 NFL teams follow up the draft by signing mass quantities of unpicked rookie free agents. For the Kansas City Chiefs, '07 was no different than any other year, as General Manager Carl Peterson and Co. imported 16 undrafted rooks.

This news might sound promising to Chiefs fans, but take a look at last year's list:

Kyle Brown, WR; Robert Docherty, TE; Steve Franklin, G; Alex Guerrero, DT; Brandon Guillory, LB; Chris Hannon, WR; De Arrius Howard, RB; Jermaine Jamison, WR; William Kershaw, LB; Travis La Tendresse, WR; Dan Melendez, WR; Derek Morris, OT; Nick Reid, LB; Jake Slaughter, FB; And Ryan Waller, WR.

Other than Chris Hannon, who was but a blip on the Chiefs' radar screen last season, none of those players made an impact.

Taking that into consideration, there's no need to introduce all 16 of these rookies whom Kansas City signed. Instead, let's take a closer look at a trio of players who actually have a chance to make the team, and potentially even make a difference.

Brad Ekwerekwu, WR, Missouri:

Ekwerekwu, or "Eck" as Mizzou fans call him to avoid butchering his difficult-to-pronounce last name, is a tantalizing prospect. Sometimes he looks like he will be an All-Pro, other times he's a complete no-show. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, he definitely has the size to be an impact wide receiver and a dominant red zone performer. That being said, even though Ekwerekwu has great hands and size -- and he knows how to effectively use both attributes, especially his big frame --he didn't find the endzone often as a Tiger. Additionally, he only ran a 4.54 40 and doesn't have the speed to consistently create separation from NFL defensive backs.

Ekwerekwu is a bit of an enigma, as he can't seem to maximize his vast potential, at least for extended periods of time anyway. At worst, Ekwerekwu will stick with the Chiefs and contribute on special teams. Keep in mind that he played well on special teams in college, and he even has place-holding experience.

Stanley Doughty, DT, South Carolina:

Doughty, or Pillsbury Doughty, would have been drafted if he had been in better shape or stayed in school. Prior to his junior campaign, he won both the Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award and the Joe Morrison Award, basically the defensive MVP, during the spring. However, he came into the '06 regular season 40 pounds too heavy, which ultimately cost him playing time. Still, even in a backup role he racked up 24 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a team-high 3½ sacks. Former Michigan DT Alan Branch, who was picked early in the second round, only registered 23 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and two sacks as a full-time starter last year.

Looking at the big picture, the Chiefs may have found a steal in Doughty. It likely won't happen over night, but he definitely has the tools to develop into at least a serviceable two-gap nose tackle, possibly a good one.

Ean Randolph, WR, South Florida:

Randolph, who was the Big East's Special Teams Player of the Year last season, has the chance to make the team strictly as a return specialist now that Dante Hall is now the other I-70 team's Human Joystick. He's a little slow, as evidenced by his 4.5 40 time, and definitely doesn't possess that coveted Devin Hester-esque return man speed. He did return a punt for a touchdown, and also hit pay dirt four times as a receiver.

Don't be shocked if Randolph is the Chiefs' primary return specialist come September.

Adam Best, a regular RealFootball365.com contributor for the Kansas City Chiefs, also covers the Chiefs for ArrowheadAddict.com, where he serves as the site's lead writer.
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