Three UDFAs That Could Make Chiefs 2022 53-Man Roster

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Every player comes into NFL training camp with some sort of expectation. Stars are not necessarily expected to do much to prove themselves in training camp, with the hopes of staying healthy. Some veterans may be looking to prove that they can still hang with the younger players. Meanwhile, some young players are giving it all they got at their one possible shot to stick on a 53-man NFL roster. Those specific players are always fun stories to follow along with during training camp, that being the undrafted free agents. That is no different for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City came off a deep and relatively valuable haul of draft selections in April. Immediately after, the team even made some headlines with their splash signings of certain undrafted free agents. Namely, Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross was viewed as one of the more polarizing players of the UDFA class. Health was the biggest question mark for him, following a productive college career, when on the field. Unfortunately for him and the Chiefs, that health luck did not come to fruition this year. Kansas City recently placed him on injured reserve after his foot surgery. As a result, he is out for the entire season. The Chiefs will stash him, with hopes of him getting a chance to compete for a spot next season.

Ross likely would have led this list of UDFAs that could make the Kansas City 53-man roster. Nonetheless, there are still some worthy undrafted free agent candidates that Chiefs fans should keep in mind during training camp and the preseason. Who are some of those UDFA players that could end up earning a spot on the active roster? We will list three names to keep a star by on the depth chart. Let’s kick it off.

WR/RB Jerrion Ealy

A lighter college running back, the size questions always seemed to surround Jerrion Ealy while he was at Ole Miss. Being able to hold his own as a blocker and against contact was generally questionable. However, Ealy answered the bell enough in those areas when he needed to. While with the Rebels, he eclipsed over 2,200 rushing yards and nearly 550 receiving yards across 33 games.

While the size was a potential drawback for his draft stock, Ealy brings a wide array of plus traits to the table. His lightning quickness, long speed and slipperiness immediately stand out. On top of that, Ealy added significant toughness, contact balance and power as a running back, despite his size. He even gave Ole Miss a fair bit of versatility. For instance, his return and receiving ability seemed to improve as his college career got deeper.

Interestingly, the Chiefs have been primarily using Ealy as a wide receiver during the early portions of training camp. He may not have the most experience at playing the position. Though, his athleticism and quickness alone help Ealy to shine and fit in this Andy Reid offense. If he were to make the team, the offensive weapon could be utilized as a gadget threat in many areas. Items like screen passes, end-arounds or even kick returns may be where Ealy makes his money with the Chiefs.

LB Mike Rose

While at Iowa State, linebacker Mike Rose earned many numerous accolades. Among them were two first team All-Big 12 selections, a three-time selection as first team Academic All-Big 12 and as a 2021 finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award. It was not that long ago, that Rose earned the honors of Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2020), as well. He was also a captain for the Cyclones in the middle of their defense.

Rose may have a massive size at linebacker for today’s high-paced game. Yet, this is a player who can wear many different hats on a defense’s second level. Rose is multi-dimensional from a physical standpoint, due to his ability to crash downhill, cover sideline to sideline and to diagnose reads or tendencies in the middle of the field. From an instinctual perspective, Rose may be just as lethal against opposing offenses. His timing is pinpoint when attacking the football. Whereas with his location and recognition of landmarks, he stays adequately proportioned, in terms of his angles and spacing. Finally, Rose does well to play a calm style, before firing out of a cannon, often being able to surprise the opponent.

The Chiefs have quickly assembled a stouter linebacker room in the last few years. Nick Bolton, Willie Gay and even Leo Chenal have tremendous levels of expectations this season. However, Rose is the style of player that Steve Spagnuolo may look towards to provide dirty work in a depth role. His comfort in coverage and power as a tackler would be terrific assets for the Chiefs to keep around. Rose may also be able to find an early role on special teams.

LB Jack Cochrane

This player is yet another linebacker that fans should keep in mind at Chiefs training camp. Unlike Rose or Ealy, this UDFA did not come out of Power Five school. Jack Cochrane appeared in five seasons for the South Dakota defense. While with the Coyotes, he registered over 300 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 16 pass breakups, six interceptions, five sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Cochrane was able to produce against both the run and the pass, as a result.

The traits that stick out the most from Cochrane may not be sexy, per se. Nonetheless, he is rather relentless in everything that he does, appears to play with his hair on fire and is a technically refined tackler or hitter. Being able to provide necessary snaps in short yardage situations or even in obvious passing situations create tantalizing opportunities for Cochrane. He can affect the play by blitzing, stuffing the run, or even by reading the quarterback’s eyes in coverage. If that never say die approach stands out enough to Kansas City coaches, Cochrane has a shot to make the Chiefs.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.