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The Kansas City Chiefs have not been shy about handing out guaranteed money to undrafted rookies in 2023 and ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on another hefty contract on April 30.
“Harvard pass rusher Truman Jones received $236,000 guaranteed from the Chiefs on a free agent deal, per source,” Fowler informed. “Strong deal for [the] Ivy League standout.”
The signing was initially reported by Mark Daniels of MassLive on April 29, although the financial details did not emerge until the following morning. Keep in mind, this is considered a ton of guaranteed money for a UDFA considering most undrafted rookies get offered next to nothing in guarantees.
New Chiefs EDGE Truman Jones ‘Passes the Eye Test’ on & off the Field
Lots of KC fans were excited about the Jones news on social media and it’s easy to see why.
Pro Football Network scouting analyst James Fragoza told readers that Jones “passes the eye test at 6’2″, 250 pounds, with 33.5 [inch] arms” ahead of the NFL Draft. Not only that, but Fragoza noted that “he also checks multiple off-the-field boxes as a team captain and an academic honoree at one of the premier institutions in the nation [Harvard].”
“His performance on the gridiron matches — if not surpasses — his achievements in the classroom,” the PFN writer added.
Over his four-year career with the Crimson, Jones appeared in 30 games. He amassed 88 total tackles over that span, with 28.5 for a loss and 14.5 sacks. If you combine TFLs and sacks, Jones actually accounted for 178 negative yards for the opposition. His collegiate resume also includes four pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four blocks.
2019 and 2022 were Jones’ best two campaigns at Harvard with six or more sacks. He did not play in 2020, as the Ivy League was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBS Sports scouting also covered Jones ahead of the draft, writing: “Truman Jones is an intelligent player with disciplined eyes. He is able to turn speed to power and does a good job of varying his foot pace to set up his rush. Jones has below-average explosion off the line and needs to add more lower body mass to sustain at the point of contact. He has average waist bend at the high side of his rush.”
Truman Jones Joins Chiefs Rookie Pass Rushers Felix Anudike-Uzomah & BJ Thompson Inside Young DE Core
The Chiefs obviously selected a defensive end in round one, but they also targeted Stephen F. Austin edge rusher BJ Thompson in round five. Clearly, this was an area of emphasis for general manager Brett Veach in 2023.
Kansas City parted ways with veteran Frank Clark earlier this spring, and they also let Carlos Dunlap hit free agency without much effort to re-sign him so far. Bringing in this trio of rookies, not to mention versatile pass rusher Charles Omenihu, the gameplan is pretty straightforward — get younger on the edge.
The Chiefs now have eight defensive ends on the roster heading into Organized Team Activities and camp, all of which are age 25 or younger. Those players are George Karlaftis III (22), Omenihu (25), Mike Danna (25), Anudike-Uzomah (21), Malik Herring (25), Thompson (24), Joshua Kaindoh (24) and Jones (22).
Chiefs EDGE BJ Thompson Makes 2023 ‘Freaks List’
Speaking of Thompson, the fifth-round draft pick was on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” with The Athletic in 2023. During the same article as Jones’ scouting notes, Pro Football Network writer James Fragoza provided some insight on the S.F. Austin product.
“Thompson has no shortage of physical gifts,” he began. “He stands 6’5” and 238 pounds, per the official Shrine Bowl measurements, and recorded a 4.56 40-yard dash, 11’3″ broad jump, and a 40 [inch] vertical last offseason.”
Continuing: “The flashes have always been there for Thompson, dating back to his time with Baylor from 2017-2018. Yet, since he transferred to Stephen F. Austin, he’s taken his game to new heights, particularly as a pass rusher.”
Fragoza concluded that “NFL decision-makers will salivate over [Thompson’s] explosiveness off the line and overall tools. However, he’ll need to prove he’s not a liability against the run.”
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