Tag: BJ Thompson

Chiefs rookie class: Grading their training camp performance

Check out our grades for all of the #Chiefs’ top rookies through two weeks of training camp practices.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 rookie class has shown flashes of brilliance at the team’s training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. Second-round wide receiver Rashee Rice has the deepest highlight reel of the group through two weeks of practices, but others like Keondre Coburn, Nic Jones, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah have been standout performers at their respective positions.

A few undrafted players have also stood out for the team in workouts, particularly running back Deneric Prince and receiver Nikko Remigio.

Take a look at our grades for each member of the Chiefs’ 2023 rookie class,

Chiefs officially sign 5 players from rookie draft class

The #Chiefs announced that five members of their 2023 NFL draft class have officially signed their rookie contracts.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have announced that five players from their 2023 NFL draft class have officially signed their rookie contracts.

We already knew that both fourth-round pick Chamarri Conner and seventh-round pick Nic Jones had inked their deals with the team. Now we know that third-round pick Wanya Morris, fifth-round pick BJ Thompson and sixth-round pick Keondre Coburn have joined them.

Each of the rookies agreed to a standard four-year contract, locking them to the Chiefs through the 2026 NFL season.

They even have the traditional pictures of all five players signing their deals with the team:

Below are the projected contracts based on draft slots for each of the five draft picks signed by Kansas City, courtesy of Spotrac:

Player Total Value Signing Bonus Cap Hit
Wanya Morris $5.3M $904K $976K
Chamarri Conner $4.5M $751k $937K
BJ Thompson $4.1M $271K $817K
Keondre Coburn $4M $176K $795K
Nic Jones $3.9M $77K $769K

With these five players locked up ahead of OTAs, which begin on Monday, May 22, only first-round draft pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah and second-round draft pick Rashee Rice remain unsigned. Expect those deals to get done in short order, with them making the largest impact on the 2023 salary cap.

Rice’s deal likely being the most difficult to get done, just as Skyy Moore’s was a season ago. He’s in the range where his representation will have a bit more wiggle-room to negotiate a higher percentage of guaranteed money.

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Chiefs rookie DE BJ Thompson enthusiastic about potential special teams role

Rookie BJ Thompson is ready to make an impact for the #Chiefs’ special teams unit in 2023. | from @TheJohnDillon

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Rookies don’t always get a chance to compete for playing time in the NFL, let alone for a team like the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Nonetheless, fifth-round selection B.J. Thompson is looking to make his mark for the team in any way he can in 2023, including on special teams if necessary.

He told reporters about his ability to play in the game’s third phase at rookie minicamp over the weekend, which he said is a core part of his identity as a football player.

“Special teams has always been a big part for me, especially coming from Baylor,” Thompson explained. “We put a lot of emphasis on it. The other team they might decide to take that play off or whatnot but if you go all out on those plays then you have the chance to get the upper hand. I know coming to the NFL, playing special teams is a big part making a team or whatnot. So, I’m all in on special teams. I can play all four and hopefully that keeps me around for a while.”

When Thompson played at Baylor in 2018, he tallied a blocked field goal, a blocked extra point and a blocked punt. His role on special teams decreased when he transferred to Stephen F. Austin as he took a larger role on defense. If he can manage to find the field consistently on punt and field goal block units, Thompson’s rise to stardom in Kansas City may be accelerated despite his day 3 draft status.

Andy Reid and Dave Toub are known for giving players chances to show their mettle if their performance in practice warrants it, so keep your eye on Thompson during training camp later in the summer to see if he has what it takes to compete in one of football’s most underappreciated phases.

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Chiefs rookie DE BJ Thompson says he’s proud to play for Joe Cullen

BJ Thompson is the latest example of #Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen’s influence in Kansas City.

The Kansas City Chiefs showed quite a bit of pre-draft interest in Stephen F. Austin DE BJ Thompson before his eventual selection in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Thompson met with the Chiefs at the East-West Shrine Bowl, met with them again at his pro day and visited the team ahead of the draft. There was also another interaction that seemed to be an important one.

Asked about his first impression of defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Thompson revealed that he already had an idea of the type of coach he was. That’s because he also participated in a private workout for the Chiefs after his pro day.

“Coach (Joe) Cullen, he came to my private workout a couple of days after my pro day,” Thompson said. “So, I already kind of had a little impression of him. I like him. I like his coaching style. He likes to get after it.”

Cullen seemed to be leading the charge on landing Thompson in the draft. The rookie defender said that they maintained contact throughout the draft and that Cullen made good on a promise.

“You know we talked all throughout the pre-draft process,” Thompson said. “He said he was going to do all he could to get me and whatnot. He did just that.”

What intrigued Cullen the most about Thompson as a player? Thompson specifically pointed to one area of his game.

“Just my athletic ability, I think,” Thompson said. “My ability to rush the passer and do a multitude of things. I feel like he’s excited to be able to coach me.”

Thompson’s athletic numbers from his pro day landed in the elite ranges, posting numbers that are more common for a receiver and not an edge rusher. That athleticism pops off the tape, but he’s also considered underweight for Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme at 243 pounds.

“Yeah, most definitely, I plan on gaining some more weight,” Thompson said. “Me and coach talked about that. So, yeah. I’m just going to continue doing that.”

Cullen’s influence is already being felt by the young player, just a few days into rookie minicamp. Whether it’s transforming his body for the NFL game or otherwise, Thompson appears pleased with his new coach.

“Like I said, we’re getting in shape while working with him and he’s going to coach you hard,” Thompson said. “I’m proud to be one of his players.”

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Highlights of every Chiefs draft pick from Day 3

Check out highlights of every #Chiefs draft pick from Day 3:

The Kansas City Chiefs added four players during Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft.

Each brings a unique and intriguing set of skills to the table as the team looks to repeat after winning Super Bowl LVII. The picks made during Day 3 last season ended up becoming impact contributors for Kansas City en route to winning their second championship in four seasons. Will this group make a similar type of impact?

Check out highlights of each of the Chiefs’ Day 3 picks down below and you be the judge:

BJ Thompson says draft call from Chiefs was flagged as ‘spam risk’

One of the #Chiefs’ newest draft picks almost missed his call from the team due to a “spam risk” notification on his cell phone.

One of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Day 3 draft picks almost blocked his blessing by thinking that his draft call was actually a spam call.

During his post-selection press conference with members of the media, new Chiefs edge rusher BJ Thompson revealed that when he got his draft call, it was flagged as a “spam risk” by his phone. The England, Arkansas native probably doesn’t get too many calls with the Missouri area code and his phone didn’t seem to trust the call from Kansas City.

“Man, I got the call and it said, ‘Spam Risk.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know, man,'” Thompson explained. “I knew the Chiefs were interested and that they had a draft pick coming up, so I answered it. As soon as I heard coach’s voice on the phone, man, I just instantly came with emotion. Like I said, I’ve been grinding for this for a long, long time and it has been a long time coming. So, just a lot of excitement, a lot of emotion and just happy that I finally made my dreams a reality.”

Thankfully, Thompson trusted his gut on this one and answered the call alerting him that he’d been drafted by the Chiefs at pick No. 166 overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. The team probably would have just called him back a second time had he not answered. At least now he’s got an amusing story to tell.

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Lions hosted official pre-draft visit for Stephen F Austin EDGE BJ Thompson

The Lions had Thompson for an official visit and also met with him at the Shrine Bowl

In the quest to find the best possible options for the 2023 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions have done some searching at the FCS level. The Lions were one of several teams to have representation at the pro day for Stephen F. Austin.

One of the Jacks’ top prospects is a player the Lions know well. Pass rusher BJ Thompson has already had an official pre-draft visit with the Lions, according to PFN’s Tony Pauline. Detroit also met privately with the 6-foot-5, 243-pound EDGE during Shrine Bowl week in Las Vegas in January, a meeting confirmed by bowl game sources.

Thompson is a potential late-round prospect, a Baylor transfer who turned 26 the day before his pro day at SFA. He played at a much lighter weight during his time in Nacogdoches.

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Potential edge defender prospects for Chargers in each round of 2023 NFL draft

Here’s an edge defender prospect in each round of the 2023 NFL draft that could be a fit for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers have a few positions that must be addressed in the upcoming draft, and edge defender sits at the top.

Luckily, this year’s crop has starting-caliber talent from the first day of the draft until Day 3.

With that being said, here’s an edge defender in each round that could fit in Los Angeles:

Chiefs to host Stephen F. Austin EDGE BJ Thompson on top-30 visit

The #Chiefs are bringing in a standout edge rusher from the East-West Shrine Bowl for a top-30 visit.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to bring players in for top-30 visits, this time hosting a standout from the East-West Shrine Bowl.

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Chiefs are one of two teams (along with the Detroit Lions) hosting Stephen F. Austin EDGE BJ Thompson on a top-30 visit. If you’re not familiar with top-30 visits, NFL teams receive an allotment of 30 visits with which they can host draft prospects. It’s an opportunity to bring players to team facilities to get to know them better in a more personal experience. This is now the third reported top-30 visit for Kansas City, alongside Pittsburgh DL Deslin Alexandre and Western Kentucky DT Brodric Martin.

Wilson also reports that Thompson, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds with 34-inch arms, is expected to perform extremely well at his pro day on March 21. He suggests that the edge rusher boasts 4.4 speed, a 40-inch vertical, and a 135-inch broad jump. Those would rival the athletic testing of Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith, who posted the top numbers at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Thompson originally began his career in Waco, Texas at Baylor and transferred to play for the Lumberjacks after two seasons with the Bears. He started 27 games with Stephen F. Austin from 2020-2022, recording 69 total tackles with 18.5 sacks.

Watching his tape, Thompson is much more of a threat to win with speed off the edge than he is with power. His first step is explosive, which was showcased in the East-West Shrine Bowl when he recorded four total tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits. Could Thompson end up being this year’s James Houston for the edge rusher group in the 2023 NFL draft?

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2023 NFL draft: 5 Combine snubs who could be considered by Chargers

Identifying five 2023 NFL Combine snubs who the Chargers could have on their radar.

319 NFL draft prospects were invited to the National Scouting Combine, which is scheduled for next week.

The list consisted of players that were automatically pinned to get one, some surprises, and quite a few that weren’t invited, leaving some scratching their heads.

Even though there are plenty of prospects that didn’t get the nod, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be getting drafted come April, or go on to have great NFL careers.

Los Angeles’ scouting department and front office have all been doing their homework since the start of August, so they are very familiar with all the talent out there.

With that being said, here are five Combine snubs who should be on the Bolts’ radar.