Chiefs' Top 5 Undrafted Free Agents on Defense, Special Teams

Kansas City has a history of finding top undrafted talent, including key contributors on both sides of the ball

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:09am

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting fragmented football players and action, using bold colors and angular shapes to capture the dynamic energy of the sport.The Chiefs' knack for identifying and developing undrafted free agent talent has been a key part of their recent dynasty.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Chiefs have a knack for identifying and developing top undrafted free agent talent, particularly on defense and special teams. This article highlights five such players who made significant contributions to the Chiefs' recent Super Bowl-winning teams, including punter Tommy Townsend, defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton, linebacker Ben Niemann, pass rusher Malik Herring, and linebacker Leo Cochrane.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' ability to find and develop undrafted free agents is a key part of their sustained success and roster-building strategy. These players often become valuable role players and specialists, providing depth and contributing in critical situations. Their stories demonstrate the value of scouting and giving opportunities to overlooked college talents.

The details

Tommy Townsend, the holder for Harrison Butker's game-winning field goals in Super Bowls 57 and 58, signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent four seasons in Kansas City before signing with the Titans. Tershawn Wharton, a Division II product, signed with the Chiefs in 2020 and started 10 games in 2024, recording a career-high 6.5 sacks before leaving in free agency. Ben Niemann was a special teams ace for the Chiefs from 2018-2021 before signing with the Cardinals. Malik Herring, who tore his ACL during the 2022 Senior Bowl, spent his rookie season on the Chiefs' reserve/non-football injury list and made an impact as a pass rusher in their Super Bowl 58 run before joining Townsend in Tennessee. And linebacker Leo Cochrane, an undrafted free agent in 2022, evolved into a special teams weapon for the Chiefs over his first four seasons.

  • The Chiefs signed Tommy Townsend as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
  • Tershawn Wharton signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
  • Ben Niemann signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 draft.
  • Malik Herring signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022 after tearing his ACL during Senior Bowl practices.
  • Leo Cochrane signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

The players

Tommy Townsend

A punter who played a significant role in the Chiefs' recent Super Bowl victories, serving as the holder for Harrison Butker's game-winning field goals. Townsend signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent four seasons in Kansas City before signing with the Titans.

Tershawn Wharton

A defensive lineman the Chiefs signed out of Division II Missouri S&T in 2020. Wharton started 10 games in 2024, recording a career-best 6.5 sacks, before leaving the Chiefs in free agency.

Ben Niemann

A linebacker who was extremely valuable for the Chiefs' special teams units from 2018-2021, recording two sacks and five fumble recoveries. Niemann signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 draft and left to join the Cardinals in 2022.

Malik Herring

A pass rusher who the Chiefs signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 despite him tearing his ACL during Senior Bowl practices. Herring spent his rookie season on the Chiefs' reserve/non-football injury list and made an impact in their Super Bowl 58 run before signing with the Titans.

Leo Cochrane

A linebacker the Chiefs signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Cochrane evolved into a special teams weapon for the Chiefs over his first four seasons, playing in Super Bowls each of the first three years.

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What they’re saying

“The Chiefs have a history of identifying top undrafted talent. Townsend is one of five significant college free agents the Chiefs have landed since they took Patrick Mahomes in the first round of the 2017 draft.”

— Zak Gilbert, Author

The takeaway

The Chiefs' ability to find and develop undrafted free agent talent, particularly on defense and special teams, has been a key part of their sustained success and roster-building strategy. These players often become valuable role players and specialists, providing depth and contributing in critical situations, demonstrating the value of scouting and giving opportunities to overlooked college talents.