Following the NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs jumped right into the undrafted free agent (UDFA) pool and scooped up 19 players.
UDFA’s are used to fill each team up to 90 players for the preseason. As the NFL has expanded to 55 players for the regular season, here are three UDFAs that have the best chance to make the 55-man roster.
Lavert Hill- Cornerback
Hill, played at the University of Michigan, and was a back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and 2019.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Hill had a grade of 71 or higher in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Along with that, he also had a tackling grade of 83 or higher in 2018 and 2019.
He is one of four Michigan players ever to to record multiple pick-sixes and is tied for sixth in pass breakups at the university. Hill plays his best in man coverage.
Hill is a candidate for the 55-man roster because he has played at a high level in one of the best conferences in collegiate football. Hill is also a great man coverage corner, despite his size at the outside position.
With a little depth at the CB position and uncertainty with Bashaud Breeland, Hill could be an add for depth at the corner psoition.
Tommy Townsend- Punter
As the Chiefs released franchise legend and longtime punter, Dustin Colquitt, the team capped look to give the punter job to UDFA and former Florida Gator, Tommy Townsend.
Last year with the Gators, Townsend had a PFF grade of 81.7 with and average of 44.0 yards per punt, forcing 21 fair catches on 42 punts, and placing 20 inside the 20-yard line. Over his collegiate career, Townsend has an average of 41.0 net yards per punt 54 punts landing inside the 20-yard line.
For this season, the Chiefs will see a new punter for the first time in 15 years, and the competition is between Townsend and second year punter, Tyler Newsome.
Along with his success at Florida, Townsend has an advantage over Newsome. He is also a holder, which would fully fill the job of Colquitt.
With his ability to hold for Butker and punt, along with his small salary, it is believed that it is Townsend’s job to lose. Townsend is definitely someone that has one of the highest chances to land on the 55-man roster.
Javaris Davis- Cornerback
The Auburn product is one of the top UDFA signings for the Chiefs. A side note about him is that he is a cousin of former NFL players, Vernon and Vontae Davis.
For Javaris Davis, he impressed at the NFL Combine, running a 4.39 40-yard dash.
He has a smaller frame (5’8′ and 183 pounds) but makes up for it with his speed and athleticism. Davis also possesses great instincts to pair with his speed and athleticism, which make him a playmaker.
Over his collegiate career, Davis had at least two interceptions and five pass breakups in all 4 seasons with the Tigers, showcasing his tenacity and playmaking ability. In three of his four seasons at Auburn, Davis totaled an overall grade of 82 or above, according to PFF.
Davis is a great candidate to be a depth piece on the defense as his versatility is a plus and his speed could be an outlet to playing against opponents, like Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs.
