Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach’s expectations for undrafted Clemson WR Justyn Ross
In May 2020, ESPN’s Todd McShay ranked Clemson receiver Justyn Ross as the 12th-best NFL Draft-eligible prospect.
Two years later, the Kansas City Chiefs added Ross to their roster this week ... as an undrafted free agent.
The drop, for Ross, was mostly health-related. He had surgery two years ago to address a congenital fusion in his spine. Then, after sitting out a year, his production at Clemson fell this past season, partly because he played most of the season through a stress fracture in his foot — an ailment that also kept him from fully testing after the season ended.
So perhaps the most important aspect of Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s remarks about Ross came at the start Tuesday, when he spoke about how athletic trainer Rick Burkholder and the team doctors were typically on the conservative side when it came to checking out players’ medical histories.
“We spend a lot of time, and I know our docs at KU spent a lot of time talking to the experts that dealt with Justyn,” Veach said, “and he’s cleared (medically).”
Ross, then, is expected to take part in rookie minicamp this weekend, hoping to show that his previous physical issues are behind him.
Veach said that means he’ll be in the same position as many Chiefs rookies as they vie for roster spots: whether they’re a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent, they need to show they can learn the playbook, trust the coaching staff, execute their assignment, and with the receivers room in particular, earn quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ trust.
“If he can do that, I think talent-wise, as long as he stays healthy, he’ll have a shot,” Veach said.
The reality of the Chiefs’ numbers situation means he’ll have to show quite a bit to earn a place on the final 53-man roster.
Veach said he anticipated fierce competition at wideout for the team’s “five or six spots,” though the current depth chart would suggest many of those are projected to be taken by others.
KC signed JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Corey Coleman this offseason. Mecole Hardman, Josh Gordon, Daurice Fountain and Cornell Powell also return, while Skyy Moore was the team’s second-round draft pick.
“I think we have a lot of talent there,” Veach said.
Ross ranked 140th on PFF’s Big Board entering the draft, good for a fourth-round grade. PFF’s Mike Renner wrote that Ross’ “extensive injury history sidetracked what was a promising career after he led the nation in yards per route as a true freshman.”
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Ross combined for 12 catches and 301 yards in the 2018-19 College Football Playoff. After sitting out the 2020 season, Ross posted team-highs in receptions (46) and receiving yards (514) last year and also was one of two recipients of the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award, which goes to the league’s most courageous player.
Veach said the Chiefs kept in touch with Ross and his agent, Tory Dandy, late in the draft Saturday. Veach had previous familiarity with Dandy, who also represents former Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins.
Ross chose to sign with the Chiefs on Monday.
Veach labeled Ross as a “really talented individual” who, like many other rookies, would get a chance to prove he deserves a roster spot.
“There’s a lot of these guys that are really in the same boat in that when you come in here, it’s a combination of talent, being smart, staying on top of the training — and that means when you’re away from the facility too,” Veach said. “So, like a lot of these young guys, if he does those things, given the talent he has, he should be able to come here and potentially contribute.”
