You might guess the shortest player on the Kansas City roster is a diminutive kicker or a slot receiver. The truth is far more specific and surprising for a team that loves size. According to Arrowhead Pride, the shortest player on the entire squad is wide receiver Jacob De Jesus, who stands just 5 feet 6 inches tall. That is a massive gap compared to the rest of the roster, especially the offensive line where size matters most.
The Size of the Squad
Training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, has revealed just how extreme the physical differences are within this group. While De Jesus brings speed and agility as a return man, the team also relies on massive bodies to hold up in the trenches. The tallest player is offensive tackle Ethan Driskell, who measures a towering 6 feet 8 and 3/8 inches. Although Trey Smith missed practice last week, allowing Driskell to move up to the second team, he has largely served as the third-team right tackle during camp.
Size isn’t just about height. The heaviest player on the team is defensive tackle Cole Brevard, a rookie nose tackle from the University of Texas who tips the scales at 343 pounds. As a reserve A-gap tackle, he hopes his sheer mass will secure him a spot on the practice squad. On the other end of the spectrum, offensive lineman Matt Waletzko holds the record for the longest arms at 36 and 1/8 inches. Waletzko, a former Dallas Cowboys pick, has played both tackle and guard during these sessions. For background, see Chiefs Training Camp: Return Specialist Job Wide Open.
Even hand size plays a role in the trenches. Veteran tackle Jaylon Moore boasts the biggest hands on the team with an 11-inch span. This trait is often underrated but helps a player hold up against the rush. Moore is currently battling rookie Kahlil Benson for the right tackle job. Benson had a bigger pre-draft profile, but Moore’s physical tools give him a real shot at keeping his spot.
Speed and Explosiveness
The Chiefs have long been known for speed, and this year’s roster confirms that trend with some jaw-dropping numbers. The three fastest players on the squad are all wide receivers. Xavier Worthy leads the pack with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash time. He is tied for second with Tyquan Thornton, who also ran a 4.28. The third-fastest player is undrafted rookie Omari Evans, who also clocked in at 4.28 seconds despite being 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds.
Evans also showed off incredible explosiveness with a 41-inch vertical leap during the pre-draft process. But speed isn’t just about top-end velocity; it is about how fast a player gets off the line. Wide receiver Jeff Caldwell recorded the quickest acceleration on the team with a 1.48-second 10-yard split. These numbers suggest the receiving corps will be a major threat early in the season. (more on that in Mahomes reveals new target as Chiefs camp day 3 unfolds)
What the Coaches See
Despite the impressive measurements, making the final roster is never guaranteed. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke directly about the situation with Jacob De Jesus after Saturday’s practice. Toub acknowledged that De Jesus is a solid player and a great catcher, but noted the physical limitations. “De Jesus is solid, great catcher, just not a real big guy,” Toub acknowledged.
However, Toub sees a bright future for the rookie in the upcoming games. He believes the undrafted free agent will stand out when the pads come on for the exhibition schedule. “He’s going to be exciting in the preseason games, for sure.” The team will face the Los Angeles Rams next Saturday, August 15th, at Arrowhead Stadium. That game will be the first real test for these extremes of size and speed. Fans will see if the small and the large can both survive the grind of the NFL.
