KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No full-on 11-on-11 periods. No one-on-one battles between an offensive lineman against a defensive lineman. Just a few seven-on-seven passing repetitions. And a lot of individual drills.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid made all of those statements Sunday, just minutes after the team held its modified rookie minicamp.
With just 29 players on the practice fields at the training facility this weekend — amid the NFL’s rules regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — Reid did his best to teach under unusual circumstances. The players, after learning the playbook through virtual meetings, were eager to perform for Reid and the rest of the coaching staff to demonstrate their ability to apply the Chiefs’ terminology and up-tempo practice style.
A few scenes on the field, though, were indeed odd.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Shane Buechele (SMU) commanded a 10-man huddle because the Chiefs had just four offensive linemen: center Creed Humphrey, right tackle Lucas Niang and guards Trey Smith and Darryl Williams. When the offense broke the huddle, on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage were just three defensive linemen, three linebackers and a rotation of defensive backs.
“It’s rough on the O-line and D-line right now because they can’t hit anybody and do their thing,” Reid said, smiling. “It’s versus a bag.”
The experience, Reid said, was still beneficial for the players, especially since teams couldn’t have on-field work for last year’s rookie minicamp because of the pandemic. All six players the Chiefs selected in the 2021 NFL Draft participated in the minicamp. In one way or another, each player made a strong impression through three non-padded practices.
Reid praised defensive end Joshua Kaindoh, whom the Chiefs selected in the fourth round of the draft, for his work ethic, intelligence and heavy hands when executing individual drills.
“You want to go into training camp with an understanding of the new things you’re able to study and experiment with, as coaches, and then on the field, as players, to make yourself better,” Reid said. “This gave them an opportunity now to hit Phase 2 (of the team’s offseason program) when the veterans are here with a base understanding of what’s going on.
“They’re going to have to strap it on when the veterans get in because it’s gone fast. We’re already four installs into it, and they’re going to have to catch up.”
Ahead of the Chiefs’ voluntary workouts, which start May 25, here are five takeaways from the team’s rookie minicamp:
Second-rounder Bolton flashes several traits
Rain forced Sunday’s practice to be held in the Chiefs’ indoor facility. Adjusting the schedule, Reid had the players go through seven-on-seven repetitions inside the red zone. The highlight Reid shared with reporters was that linebacker Nick Bolton, whom the Chiefs selected with the first of their two second-round picks, made an athletic interception.
“He’s Tiger-tough,” Reid said of Bolton, referencing his college career at Missouri. “He’s got great instincts, he’s very intelligent and did a nice job. We’re in shorts and he’s a linebacker, so I know he probably can’t wait until we start hitting. For the drills here, he sure did a nice job.”
A two-year starter at Missouri, Bolton was a team captain and led the Tigers last season with 95 tackles. He also recorded 7.5 stops for loss, two sacks and five pass breakups.
Putting on the Chiefs’ uniform and helmet for the first time Friday, Bolton wanted to accomplish the simple task in minicamp of showing his competitiveness, no matter the drill or repetition he went through. He sprinted to the perimeter well and he was in place to make a few pass breakups in the intermediate area of the field.
“When he got drafted, I didn’t know I was coming here, but I’m like, ‘Dude, he’s going to be so annoying to chase down on the field,’” Chiefs sixth-round pick Trey Smith said Saturday of Bolton. “Just playing him for so many years, he’s a baller. I can’t wait to get a little bit of action against him again.”
Prior to minicamp, Bolton said he felt more comfortable with the playbook after talking with linebacker Anthony Hitchens, the eight-year veteran who will serve as his mentor this upcoming season.
“That’s one of my guys,” Bolton said Friday of Hitchens. “He was actually down there in Dallas (earlier this spring) when I was down there, so I texted with him quite a bit. We talked a lot, so I’m just looking forward to building that relationship.”
General manager Brett Veach said earlier this month that Bolton will be expected to learn the middle and weak-side linebacker positions under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and linebackers assistant Matt House. But one relationship that Bolton already had before arriving in Kansas City was with Andy Hill, the Chiefs’ second-year assistant special teams coach. Before joining the Chiefs, Hill was Missouri’s special teams coordinator in Bolton’s freshman and sophomore seasons.
Bolton understands he will likely begin his NFL career as a core special teams player. He also knows that Hill vouched for him when the Chiefs were considering who to select in the second round.
“I appreciate him for that,” Bolton said of Hill. “Since I got here, he’s been trying to teach me a little bit on special teams. I’m trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can from him to put myself in position to help us.”
Gray, Powell show strong hands
In the 2021 draft’s fifth round, the Chiefs selected tight end Noah Gray and receiver Cornell Powell, two pass-catchers who had limited opportunities in college that the team believes are ascending players.
Gray was one of the few pass-catchers who went through individual drills at times without wearing gloves. But the seven-on-seven periods allowed Gray and Powell to showcase their skills.
“The receivers that we have here, they work really hard,” Buechele said of Gray and Powell. “They’re taking a lot of reps, they’re running a ton but they’re taking in the playbook really well. I’m learning from them just as much as they’re learning from me.”
In his final season at Duke, Gray recorded 237 snaps in the slot, 139 on the line at the traditional tight end spot and 120 in the backfield. In the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp, Gray lined up often as either the traditional tight end or as the slot receiver, a role in which he split repetitions with Jody Fortson, the third-year receiver.
Powell made the minicamp’s coolest highlights. During Saturday’s practice, Powell made an impressive reception in which he stretched his 6-foot frame and 33-inch arms to grab the ball. Another repetition featured Powell using his left hand to make a one-handed catch.
“I consider myself a playmaker,” Powell said Saturday. “I can go down the field and make plays, I can run routes and I can give my team a spark. I’m just here to have fun, make plays and contribute to winning championships.”
Some of Powell’s favorite moments from the minicamp was whenever he heard instruction from Reid, the future Hall of Fame coach known for his passing innovations.
“I’ve got a championship head coach in Andy, so it’s always a blessing to be able to obtain knowledge from him,” Powell said. “He was just giving me little tips and reminding me to have fun with it and just to be myself.”
Powell didn’t become a major contributor at Clemson until his senior season, but he made the most of his 15 starts last year, recording 53 receptions for 882 yards and seven touchdowns. The Chiefs posted a short video on their Twitter account Saturday that featured Powell, who is known for his route-running ability, making a smooth catch in the middle of the field before turning up field to gain additional yards. Powell received a compliment from former receiver Sammy Watkins, who last wore the No. 14 jersey in Kansas City.
Similar to Watkins’ role the previous three seasons, the Chiefs project Powell as a strong possession receiver who can be effective in the intermediate area of the field for superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“Going from (former Clemson quarterback) Trevor (Lawrence) to Patrick Mahomes, it’s just a blessing,” Powell said, smiling. “I couldn’t ask for anything better. I fell into the perfect situation, so I’ve just got to make the most of every opportunity.”
Niang makes compelling return
Before the minicamp, the last time Niang was at the Chiefs’ training facility was in early August 2020. The Chiefs selected Niang in the third round of the 2020 draft, but he elected to opt out of the season because of the pandemic. Niang felt it was wise to be cautious, and he didn’t want the possibility of the virus to negatively affect his health and his ability to perform for multiple years.
“At the time, I thought it was the best decision,” Niang said Sunday. “I was thinking long term. I just didn’t feel comfortable not knowing enough about the disease. I felt it was the logical thing to do.”
Rejoining the Chiefs for his upcoming rookie season, Niang said it felt great to get back on the field.
Throughout last season, Niang watched the Chiefs and worked out four days each week with Brett Yarris, a behavior scientist and the CEO of BX Movement. Niang spent most of the time with Yarris working as the right tackle, as he improved his hand placement when engaging a pass rusher and developed more counter moves when reacting to the various pass-rushing moves.
Reid was intrigued to see Niang again after the rookie participated in a few practices during training camp before opting out and moving back to his hometown of New Canaan, CT. In observing the three practices this weekend, Reid said it was easy to see that Niang was in better shape.
“He’s a big man that has these beautiful feet,” Reid said of Niang, who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 328 pounds. “I look forward to getting him back in the pads at training camp and moving around and doing what offensive linemen do, the real football part of it. You can tell he’s worked. For right now, he looked tremendous.”
By not having a rookie minicamp last year, Niang was glad to have the chance to have the experience this time, which allowed him to realize his own growth in the past eight months.
“All the plays and all the thinking was way easier this year,” he said. “I could focus more on my technique because I knew my assignments faster having been through it one time.”
Linemen anxious to learn from veterans
With just four offensive linemen participating in the minicamp, Humphrey and Smith found that the biggest value to them might have been learning from offensive line assistant Andy Heck while watching film of the Chiefs’ veteran linemen to better grasp the team’s blocking concepts.
“I’m going to take coaching well,” Humphrey said Friday. “I’m going to work my butt off, making sure I’m doing all of the right things, showing them that I’m a team-first guy and just getting out there and competing.”
A couple weeks before the minicamp, Niang was able to train alongside veterans such as right guard Kyle Long, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and left guard Joe Thuney.
Humphrey and Smith are looking forward to their opportunity when the Chiefs have their voluntary workouts.
“A lot of these guys are top-notch guys, very helpful and they’ve played a lot of football, too,” Humphrey said. “Getting to learn how they do things is going to be huge for me. I’m excited to get to work with all of them.”
The draft’s three-day event was a grueling one for Trey Smith, the talented guard from Tennessee who fell until the Chiefs selected him in the sixth round. The biggest reason Smith was still available for the Chiefs with the No. 226 pick is because other teams were concerned about his medical background; he was diagnosed in February 2018 with blood clots in his lungs.
With two weeks to reflect on the draft’s outcome, Smith is grateful the Chiefs selected him. He will likely spend his rookie season polishing his technique by learning from Heck and veterans such as Thuney, Long and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Smith also commended the Chiefs’ medical staff, as team physician Mike Monaco and vice president of sports medicine Rick Burkholder did thorough evaluations of him to help convince Veach and Reid to add him to the team.
“I have a certain standard, expectations that I have for myself and for my life,” Smith said. “Not meeting that (in the draft), I was disappointed. But ultimately, God has a plan for me and my life. I think right now I’m at the best place I could actually be at. I’m super excited to be here.”
Another receiver to know
In 2015, Dalton Schoen was a star receiver from Blue Valley Northwest High in Overland Park, Kan., who joined Kansas State’s football team as a walk-on.
“Going to Kansas State was a dream come true,” Schoen said Sunday. “My first goal going there, though, was to get on the field. I was fighting for a job on special teams. I ended up starting as a sophomore, so then, all of a sudden, your goals get a little bit higher.”
So yes, Schoen can see the similarities in his freshman season at K-State in 2016 and his first practices with the Chiefs as a undrafted, second-year free agent. Schoen finished his college career with 92 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. He joined the Los Angeles Chargers last year but didn’t have rookie minicamp and did what he could with a limited amount of repetitions in training camp.
“I felt I had a great camp, and I couldn’t be sad about anything,” Schoen said. “I got cut at the end of it and it just sucked not having preseason games. I never really had a good opportunity to rise above other guys.”
With the Chiefs, Schoen has such an opportunity. Schoen’s first impression was a positive one, too, as he made a highlight-worthy sliding catch during Friday’s practice.
Before the minicamp, Schoen received advice from Byron Pringle, the four-year receiver who was his college teammate. Schoen also did workouts with receiver Gehrig Dieter, a five-year veteran, in Overland Park to be better prepared for the minicamp.
“You’ve got to just have that mindset that you’re a street dog,” Schoen said. “You’re going to show up, you’re going to fight every day, you’re going to do the things most other guys don’t want to do or won’t do. You’ve got to keep fighting until you get the opportunity to prove yourself.”
When the Chiefs hired Reid in January 2013, Schoen was a high school student who remembered the team most for their playoff disappointments. But each year since 2013, Schoen has marveled at Reid’s success in transforming the Chiefs into one of the NFL’s best teams. Although the signing was a minor transaction for the Chiefs in February, the moment was a major one for Schoen, who wants to make his NFL debut with his hometown team.
“I thought the weekend went really well,” Schoen said. “Being from Kansas City, it’s just so cool to have so many people pulling for me. It means a lot. To be here is just a true dream.”
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