Four Chiefs newcomers on the radar & observations from OTA practice
Patrick Mahomes clicking with rookie class plus highlights from Thursday's press conferences
Observations from Thursday’s OTA practice
The Chiefs held a brisk workout Thursday for their sixth practice during the NFL’s voluntary organized team activity (OTA) program. The team focused on punt return and punt coverage along with field goals during the special teams portion and then held a full team blitz session, a seven-on-seven period and a team passing drill concluding the day.
Mahomes was 7-of-9 passing during the full-team periods, including a long touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. The only blemish on his resume was an interception by cornerback Rashad Fenton.
The defense generally got the better of it against the offense during a third-down seven-on-seven period, but when the action moved to the red zone the offense exacted its revenge. Mahomes finished his turn with back-to-back touchdown passes to Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle.
Safety Will Parks then intercepted a Chad Henne pass before the offense went on a roll. Henne connected on touchdowns to Marcus Kemp, Gehrig Dieter, Jody Fortson and Chris Finke, prompting chants of “five in a row” from the offense. Henne finished with a fifth-straight red-zone score, connecting again with Finke.
The largest roar of the day from the players came during the team passing period when Mahomes connected with fullback Michael Burton on a short route. Burton then made a quick juke and raced to the end zone amidst cheers from his teammates.
The Chiefs return starting Tuesday for the last four practices of the voluntary OTA program. After that comes the mandatory minicamp June 15-17, after which the team takes its final break before the official start of training camp on July 27.
Mahomes clicking with rookie class
When Patrick Mahomes stepped behind center during his first four seasons in the league, it was veterans such as Mitch Morse, Austin Reiter and Jordan Devey sending him the ball. As the Chiefs get to work for the 2021 season, Mahomes is breaking in rookie center Creed Humphrey.
No big deal, Mahomes says.
“You get a couple snaps under center and you just go out there and continue to play,” Mahomes said. “I think that whole group, it’s good to be out here and have these guys here. You start building that chemistry, that communication that you need as an offense, and I think we do a good job of learning and not making the same mistake twice.”
Even taking snaps from a left-handed center like Humphrey doesn’t faze him.
“I’ve already gotten pretty much used to it,” Mahomes said. “It’s something that you just go out there and play football at the end of the day.”
Humphrey isn’t the only rookie catching Mahomes’ attention during OTAs. Both wide receiver Cornell Powell and tight end Noah Gray have made an impression with their hard work and play-making abilities.
“Noah has been really good,” Mahomes said. “I think he has that veteran-type skillset that he’s able to get himself open even if it’s not what the play was designed to do. He knows how to get his eyes back, be on the quarterback’s timing.
Mahomes called the 6-foot, 210-pound Powell a “beast” for his ability to provide the quarterback with a big target.
“He’s running across the field making some big catches in some big contested spots,” he said. “To be able to work with those guys, along with the other guys and continue to improve those rooms, it’s going to help us out a ton in the long run.”
Four Chiefs newcomers on the radar at OTAs
It’s “shorts” season in the NFL, and OTAs are a time when pass catchers and defensive backs should shine in absence of pads and contact. Players won’t win a roster spot during June but they put themselves into the competition once the pads come on in August. Here’s a rundown of four Chiefs newcomers at receiver and defensive back to watch once training camp starts for potential roster bids.
WR Antonio Callaway
Calloway possesses great potential, as evidenced by his 43 catches for 586 yards and five scores as a rookie with Cleveland in 2018. Off the field issues, however, derailed his career the past two seasons, limiting him to just 10 catches for 109 yards in nine games with the Browns and Dolphins along with a stint in the XFL. Callaway can return kicks as well, and the Chiefs expect to give him a hard look during OTAs and training camp for a receiver spot. He’s impressed so far with his speed and ability to get open, but it’s his off-the-field and in meeting rooms where he needs to prove himself.
WR Daurice Fountain
Fountain arrived in Kansas City as one of six tryout players during rookie minicamp and has continued to impress ever since. It’s hard to miss his 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame at receiver but the third-year pro from Northern Iowa also displays good speed and strong route running. Fountain made a couple of nice catches Thursday, including on a deep ball down the right sideline from rookie quarterback Shane Buechele. At 25 years old, Fountain could be a late bloomer hitting his stride.
S Will Parks
The 26-year-old Parks signed a free-agent deal with the Chiefs last month after spending most of the past five seasons with Denver. He’s best known for his versatility and is capable of providing valuable snaps as a slot corner or free safety. He turned in two interceptions on Thursday, including a pick of backup Chad Henne during seven-on-seven drills. He could carve out a role similar to that played by Kendall Fuller during the club’s Super Bowl run in 2019.
S Devon Key
Amongst this year’s undrafted rookie free agent class, Key is the early name to watch. Listed at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Key offers good size and plenty of college experience after playing 49 games at Western Kentucky. With Juan Thornhill watching from the sidelines, there are opportunities at safety and Key is making the most of them.
Participation report
Head coach Andy Reid continues to report no new injuries during OTAs, but the Chiefs had only 78 players on the field for Thursday’s voluntary workout.
Defensive end Frank Clark, cornerback Charvarius Ward, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif were not on the field for the second weekly practice in a row open to the media. Also absent on Thursday were defensive tackle Chris Jones and Jarran Reed, defensive end Taco Charlton, running back Darrel Williams, offensive lineman Martinas Rankin, cornerback Mike Hughes and safety Armani Watts.
The Chiefs have not detailed any reasons for players choosing not to participate in the voluntary offseason program. Jones and Charlton were among players who did participate in practices earlier this week.
Four players continue watching practice from the sideline: safety Juan Thornhill, cornerback Deandre Baker, defensive back Rodney Clemons and defensive end Malik Herring.
The club currently has 89 players on the roster after releasing linebacker Kamalei Correa on Thursday.
Press conference highlights
Mahomes says he’s a full-go following offseason toe surgery:
Offensive line coach Andy Heck sees bright future for Trey Smith:
