Getty Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith in 2021.
The Kansas City Chiefs have decided to cast a very wide net when it comes to UDFA signings in 2023, and they’ve already agreed to terms with four undrafted rookies on the offensive line.
The headliner has KC ties coming in, as new guard prospect Jerome Carvin is a former Tennessee teammate of both Trey Smith and 2023 draft pick Wanya Morris (who later transferred from the Vols over to Oklahoma). Tennesse Football announced the news of the addition on April 29, which sparked an interesting reaction from Chiefs media insider Nick Jacobs.
Really pumped about Carvin reportedly joining KC. Great depth there and long term starting potential #Chiefs
“Really pumped about Carvin reportedly joining KC,” Jacobs voiced. “Great depth there and long-term starting potential.” He included a text box of scouting notes that read: “Carvin is always willing to help in run blocking and pass pro. He is always looking for work. He has the size and anchor to keep opponents in check at the line of scrimmage. He has good lateral quickness for his size and is able to get his hips around if needed on a reach block.”
According to his Tennessee profile, Carvin is a 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl Participant and a former SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in 2022. His typical position was left guard throughout his career, although his bio highlights his versatility as a strength, as well as his leadership and “presence in the locker room.”
If Carvin develops in Kansas City, he could profile as a long-term replacement for the 30-year-old Joe Thuney someday — and should be another quality backup on the OL in the meantime.
Chiefs Sign UDFA OTs Anderson Hardy and Quinton Barrow
Offensive tackle was an area of need entering the NFL Draft, and general manager Brett Veach attacked that problem head-on when he traded up for Morris in round three. How about a couple more bullets in the chamber?
Heavy on NFL insider Matt Lombardo reported that “former @appstate OL Anderson Hardy is signing with the Chiefs as a UDFA, per sources.”
The Appalachian State left tackle was a late riser in draft scouting according to NFL Draft Diamonds analyst Bryan Ault, noting his impressive Relative Athletic Score of 9.26 out of 10. “Hardy posted a 4.97 40-time, 4.68 shuttle, 7.72 3-cone, 31.5 vertical and 8.72 broad jump,” he detailed. “Hardy started at offensive tackle for Team Aina at the Hula Bowl last January. He checked in at a verified 6’5, 293 (hand 1028, arm 3178, 7768 wing).”
According to his team bio, Hardy “played in 44 career games and made 29 career starts [at left tackle], including 28 in a row to end his career.” He also earned All-Sun Belt first team honors in 2022.”
Grand Valley State University revealed the next Chiefs signing — left tackle Quinton Barrow — noting that they are “proud of you Q!”
Congratulations to @____quinton Quinton Barrow on Signing with the @Chiefs
We are Proud of you Q!
NFL Network scouting expert Lance Zierlein described the 6-foot-5 blocker as a “developmental project with good size and length.”
“Barrow will require a tear down and rebuild from a technique standpoint,” he continued. “He is light on his feet, but he plays with a lack of bend and a base that is often too narrow. He won’t be much of a drive blocker due to his lack of leverage, but he does show the ability to get into outside space or up to the second level with some success. His pass protection isn’t good enough for pro ball yet, but he might get a chance to hang around on a practice squad for additional development.”
During the same scouting report, writer Chad Reuter noted that Barrow “earned the starting left tackle job for all 11 games in 2019” before a lost season in 2020 due to the pandemic. He then “garnered first-team All-GLIAC notice in 2021 and 2022, starting all 25 games in those two seasons at left tackle.” Barrow also earned first-team Associated Press Division II All-American honors as a senior, and was named the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the year that season.
Chiefs Sign UDFA Guard Prospect Blake Haynes
The final offensive line addition after the draft was guard prospect Blake Haynes out of Tarleton State University. NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported on this signing with the Chiefs.
There’s not too much scouting info on Haynes, although the Tarleton website lists him at 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, and notes 11 appearances in 2022 and a “preseason All-WAC” honor.
In 2021, Haynes impressed with Second Team All-WAC honors and a spot on the “Phil Steele FCS All-WAC Second Team.” He started 11 games that year according to Tarleton, and was “part of an offensive line that allowed the tied-12th fewest total sacks in the FCS at 13” and “the tied-14th fewest [tackles for a loss] in the FCS at 49.”
Blake Haynes is a OG prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 8.58 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 203 out of 1423 OG from 1987 to 2023. t.co/emUTIa71MW #Chiefs
Haynes scored an 8.58 out of 10 on his Relative Athletic Score, which ranked 203 out of 1,423 offensive guards from 1987 to 2023 according to Math Bomb and Kent Lee Platte.
He’ll join Carvin and 2022 UDFA Mike Caliendo as organizational depth behind Thuney, Smith and key backup Nick Allegretti.