The Chiefs are eyeing some serious hidden gems with these ex-third-round talents

The Kansas City Chiefs are hosting a slew of veterans for practice squad tryouts today, on August 28, and former Chicago Bears third-round pick Zacch Pickens headlines the group. Although ex-Chiefs first-round running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is among the candidates, too — as reported yesterday afternoon.

“The Chiefs will be bringing in six players for visits on Thursday, and tentatively plan to sign [them] to the practice squad if all goes well,” Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick informed on the evening of August 27.

Derrick also noted that “the Chiefs officially have three open spots on the practice squad.” Adding: “Robert Tonyan will move to the active roster to make four available. If all six sign, two spots will need to be made available.”

The new potential recruits were Edwards-Helaire, Pickens, DT Brodric Martin, DE Ethan Downs, DE Tyreke Smith, and FS Jammie Robinson. Like Martin, Pickens is a defensive tackle.

More on Zacch Pickens & the 6 Total Chiefs Practice Squad Tryouts

Chiefs fans know all about Edwards-Helaire, so we don’t have to go into too much detail there. If Kansas City does want him back, “CEH” would slot in as additional RB depth with a strong knowledge of Andy Reid’s offense and playbook.

As for the others, Pickens is a 6-foot-4 defensive tackle who has appeared in 26 regular season NFL games, starting 3 of them. Having just turned 25 years old in March, the former Bear has recorded 1.5 career sacks and 2 tackles for a loss, as well as 1 forced fumble, 4 QB hits and 1 pass breakup.

Pickens was cut by a new coaching staff in Chicago, although current Bears general manager Ryan Poles was the same GM who selected him in 2023. Poles also worked for the Chiefs’ front office before taking the GM position in Chicago, so there’s a slight scouting connection there.

Martin is another failed third-round talent from the 2023 draft class. He was selected by the Detroit Lions and has appeared in 5 regular season outings for them over the past two years, starting 1 game.

Martin has been credited with 4 total tackles, but has not recorded any other statistics. The 26-year-old is slightly taller than Pickens, at 6-foot-5.

Downs, 6-foot-4, is an undrafted rookie defensive end who spent his initial training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent four years at Oklahoma before entering the NFL, racking up 12.5 sacks and 110 total tackles over 51 appearances.

Moving down the list, edge rusher Tyreke Smith (6-foot-3, 25 years old) was a fifth-round selection of the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. He only appeared in 1 game with the Seahawks before moving on to the division rival Arizona Cardinals for another 2 appearances. Smith has not been on the field much over his three-year career.

Lastly, Robinson is a former fifth-round DB of the Carolina Panthers who has appeared in 21 regular season outings (2 starts) as a core special teamer and part-time defender. He logged 20 total career tackles with Carolina.

Is Mike Pennel Returning to Kansas City After Surprise Release?

Veteran tight end Robert Tonyan and veteran safety Mike Edwards have both already returned on practice squad deals following their unexpected releases at the 53-man roster cutdown. But there has been no mention of the third big-name veteran release, defensive tackle Mike Pennel.

When the Chiefs traded for Derrick Nnadi, it could have been a sign that they are moving on from the 34-year-old two-time Super Bowl champ, but that feels hasty considering Pennel has outperformed Nnadi in recent years.

It’s not a great sign for Pennel that Kansas City is looking at alternative defensive tackle options. We’ll continue to monitor his status going forward.