Khalen Saunders came a bit out of nowhere in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Not only is Saunders a small-school prospect from Western Illinois hoping to make the leap to the professional level, but the Kansas City Chiefs had bigger fish to fry—er, positions to fill. Instead, the team decided Saunders’ pro potential was simply too much to pass up as they turned in their draft card on Day Two.
The Chiefs claimed Saunders for good reason: his potential was not such a secret anymore. He showed up strong at the Senior Bowl which placed him squarely in the sights of general managers around the NFL.