Kansas City Chiefs: Four dark horse roster candidates for 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 23: A wide view as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and teammates run sprints during OTA's on May 23, 2019 at the Chiefs Training Facility in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 23: A wide view as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and teammates run sprints during OTA's on May 23, 2019 at the Chiefs Training Facility in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Princeton Tigers quarterback John Lovett (12) throws a touchdown pass (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Princeton Tigers quarterback John Lovett (12) throws a touchdown pass (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Dark Horse Candidate #4: John Lovett

Now, Chiefs fans, let’s take a deep dive. There is a chance most fans are pretty acquainted with the guys mentioned above, so I decided to do a little deeper dive here. After digging, I found Lovett was one of the more intriguing prospects to keep our eyes on.

First off, Lovett is a quarterback. Well, mostly. Hybrid is probably a better term to describe the former Princeton quarterback.

Lovett lined up at quarterback, tight end, full back and wide receiver for Princeton throughout his collegiate career. In 2018, he ran for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns, and threw for another 1,833 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also went over 25 receptions in a season twice in his career (2015,2016) and overall was willing to contribute all over the field for Princeton.

This versatility is going to be key for Lovett to making the Chiefs. He has good size, standing at 6’2 and weighing 235 pounds. He also ran a 4.56 at his pro day, and is overall a fantastic athlete. This is key, as the Chiefs can plug and play him anywhere.

Most notably, the Chiefs have a hole at tight end behind Travis Kelce. Lovett can carve out a role there on the offense, and can add another threat in two tight end sets. His versatility allows him to be put all over the field, and he can no doubt contribute on special teams. There is one other thing working in Lovett’s favor, and that is Sean Payton in New Orleans.

Sean Payton and Lovett are not directly related, of course, but Sean may be Andy Reid’s biggest rival in terms of offensive play design and calling. Last year. Payton used former college quarterback Taysom Hill all over the field.

Hill played receiver, full back, punt protector, receiver, gunner, quarterback and any other place Payton could think to put him. It is a copy cat league after all. Reid could look at what Payton did with Taysom Hill and start scheming his own new wrinkles that include Lovett.

This makes him a threat to snatch a precious roster spot from other hopefuls in training camp.