General Manager Brett Veach and Head Coach Andy Reid aren’t finished tweaking the roster just yet; with only two preseason games left to go before they evaluate who makes the final roster and who does not, at the start of the regular season. After placing wide receiver Marcus Kemp on injured reserve, the Chiefs made a laundry list of changes to the roster that involves the return of two familiar faces. So, in case you missed anything, here’s a recap of the latest roster moves the Chiefs made today.
The Chiefs began by adding veteran Offensive Guard Jeff Allen, who signed a 1-year deal with the team last night. Reports were swirling around yesterday that a deal was ‘in the works’ but nothing became official until later that evening.
Allen spent time with the Chiefs last season when the team was dealing with injuries along the offensive line. Per a report from KCTV5’s Dani Welniak, Pro Football Focus gave Allen’s performance in 2018 a grade of 76.7, highest amongst Chiefs offensive guards. Allen also had a 70+ pass-block grade in 3 of 4 games with 30+ snaps last season.
Allen was originally drafted by the Chiefs in the second round on the 2012 NFL Draft, he played in Kansas City from 2012-2015 before he signed a 4-year contract with the Houston Texans. Allen would only play two seasons with the Texans before getting let go due to nagging injuries. Allen returned to the Chiefs in mid-October in 2018 where he played ten games and started four. Allen provides the veteran depth the Chiefs need along the offensive line and since he’s familiar with the system, bringing him back is almost a no brainer.
To make room for Jeff Allen on the 90-man roster, the Chiefs waived offensive lineman Abdul Beechum.
Beechum, 22, was an undrafted rookie from Kansas State, whom the Chiefs gave a tryout during mandatory minicamp in June.
Jeff Allen wasn’t the only familiar face the Chiefs brought back in the fold today.
De’Anthony Thomas returns to the team after spending the 2019 offseason as a free agent. He signed a 1-year deal to remain with the Chiefs for the 2018 season but he was placed on injured reserve with a leg fracture he sustained during practice on October 13, 2018.
Thomas had been without a team until the Chiefs brought him back, his familiarity with Andy Reid’s offensive scheme, plus the injuries and lack of depth at wide receiver were likely a reason for his return.
To make room for Thomas on the roster, the team released wide receiver, Davon Grayson.
Grayson, 23, was an undrafted free agent from East Carolina University who tried to crack the Chiefs roster last season but was waived with an injury designation in May 2018. The Chiefs gave him a reserve/future contract last February.
Lastly, the Chiefs added one more receiver after placing Marcus Kemp on injured reserve. Jalen Tolliver signed with the team to take Kemp’s place on the active roster.
Tolliver, 23, was an undrafted free agent from Arkansas-Monticello in 2018 who signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Tolliver played in three games; recording three catches for thirty-seven yards while in Arizona.
He was waived by the Cardinals on May 9, 2019, but was immediately picked up by the Tennessee Titans a week later but was cut by the team on Aug 10.
For the Chiefs, Tolliver serves as a camp body at the very least, however, at 6’3’’ and 213lbs, he might be worth a look when the Chiefs play the 49ers on Saturday.
