Depth and productivity provided by an undrafted player represents success for the Kansas City Chiefs in so many ways. Finding effective parts of the roster that won't break the bank seems to be a key strength for Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. Promising former Missouri Tiger Yasir Durant could be the next poignant example of Veach's very successful strategy.
Injury problems persisted throughout 2020 for KC's core of trustworthy offensive linemen, which makes the emergence of young talent all-the-more important. During a critical meeting with the Miami Dolphins in Week 14, a back injury sidelined veteran Chiefs right tackle Mike Remmers. This gave undrafted rookie Yasir Durant his first opportunity at real NFL playing time.
Durant consistently faced top-shelf collegiate pass-rushing talent when he played three seasons as one of the best linemen in the SEC. The freshly-signed Chief played 24 of his 38 NFL offensive snaps as he replaced Remmers that day, and Yasir looked solid doing it. Head coach Andy Reid sounded impressed with the lineman's intellect when speaking with media in the weeks that followed, telling anyone asking about Durant that he was "smart" and displayed "great upside."
Analyzing the effectiveness of an undrafted lineman doesn't sound like the most thrilling way to spend your Sunday, but these smaller details matter to the folks trying to create a dynasty in this salary cap-altered era of American football. Durant is just one of many examples of less-heralded parts of the roster getting a chance to shine, thereby affecting the way KC builds their team in the future. Resting first-stringers like Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins gives the coaching staff more time to analyze Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle. More snaps for tight end Deon Yelder will help KC learn more about the status of depth at that position.
The effectiveness of these players is pivotal in building KC's plan for both the offseason and the next draft. Hidden somewhere in whatever office the Chiefs use to do their big-picture strategizing is a board or a list of some kind deciding how to prioritize certain parts of this team during the upcoming NFL draft and the free agency market. Today's game should give us moments that move certain positions up or down that board, especially concerning the offensive line and wide receiver groups. That probably won't give you goosebumps like a Patrick Mahomes playoff game, but it is meaningful.
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