The Kansas City Chiefs elected not to make a move for any tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, but that has not stopped the defending AFC champions from adding a potential difference-maker at the position as a free agent.
Despite being included in a number of mock drafts leading up to last month's event in Green Bay, former Clemson Tigers standout Jake Briningstool did not hear his name called by any franchise during the draft. That hasn't stopped him from chasing his NFL dreams, however, and he will do so as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
While it in no way guarantees him a spot on the team's final roster, one of the most important decision makers that Kansas City has helped ensure Briningstool was going to come to camp with the Chiefs and not another NFL franchise.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 241 pounds, Briningstool was an All-ACC selection his junior and senior years at Clemson and owns the school's all-time receptions record for a tight end with 127 over the course of his career. In total, Briningstool finished his career at Clemson with 1,380 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns as a result of the school record 127 receptions.
With production like that at a program that has been as successful as Clemson in recent memory, it is surprising that Briningstool went undrafted, but Andy Reid and the Chiefs aren't mad about the outcome now that he is part of the fold in Kansas City.
This signing has to be looked at as a bit of a steal for the Chiefs, regardless of how it ultimately plays out, as NFL.com had the tight end listed as a projected 5th or 6th round draft pick. If Briningstool can manage to make the 53-man roster out of camp and push Noah Gray for playing time behind Travis Kelce, Reid, and the brain trust in Kansas City will have done it again.