KC Chiefs: What Rodney Clemons can provide in 2020

By Leigh Oleszczak | May 26, 2020

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Rodney Clemons #23 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs intercepts a pass intended for Marquez Stevenson #5 of the Houston Cougars as Patrick Nelson #2 looks on during the fourth quarter on October 24, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

The KC Chiefs signed Rodney Clemons as an undrafted free agent. What can the safety out of Southern Methodist provide this team in 2020?

The Kansas City Chiefs defense was able to turn things around due to the addition of Tyrann Mathieu. His impact for the secondary helped this team immensely and we saw that pay dividends in the Super Bowl.

Keeping the safety position strong is still very important even with the Honey Badger and Juan Thornhill manning the two main spots. Daniel Sorensen made plays throughout the playoff run and 2020 is certainly a make or break year for Armani Watts. The Chiefs also drafted L’Jarius Sneed in the fourth round, but they might look to use him as more of a cornerback.

Could Rodney Clemons play any type of role for the KC Chiefs as a rookie?

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As is the case with most undrafted free agents, Clemons will have to really impress throughout the offseason activities (whenever those get started), but it’s not unfathomable that he could make the 55-man roster. If he does, he probably won’t get a ton of defensive snaps due to the depth ahead of him in Mathieu, Thornhill, Sorensen, and Watts.

Where Clemons would be used is probably on special teams and in occasional defensive packages. He could also see more playing time if Thornhill isn’t fully healthy to start the year or if someone gets hurt during the course of the season.

When KC Kingdom’s own Shade Piper discussed his thoughts on the 2020 UDFAs, he mentioned that Clemons had the size and coverage skills an NFL safety should have, but was lacking in the speed category. He also had this to say,

"The most intriguing part about Clemons is that he didn’t start playing football until he was a senior in High School so he is still learning and developing his game and could still take his game to another level in KC."

Clemons could be a nice developmental piece for the Kansas City Chiefs, but he’ll have to make plays and stand out if he wants to find his way onto the roster. The safety position is pretty solid in Kansas City, but injuries happen and that could be how Clemons finds his way onto the field.

In all likelihood, Clemons either doesn’t make the team or spends his rookie season on the practice squad, but here’s to hoping he’s able to make the best of the offseason. Perhaps he’ll be the surprise of this UDFA class.

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