The Kansas City Chiefs hosted a long list of workouts on January 2 (shared by KPRC2 NFL reporter Aaron Wilson). The workouts first appeared on the NFL transaction log.
The headliner was quarterback Ian Book, a former fourth-round selection of the New Orleans Saints. The Chiefs also took a look at running back Hassan Hall, running back SaRodorick Thompson, wide receiver Jacob Copeland, wide receiver Reggie Roberson, defensive end Deslin Alexandre, linebacker Tyler Murray, linebacker Jordan Smith, linebacker Noah Taylor and defensive back Rejzohn Wright.
They also re-signed defensive tackle Matt Dickerson to the practice squad according to Chiefs Digest insider Matt Derrick. Kansas City cut Dickerson on December 30 ahead of the Week 17 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
#NFL workouts and visits @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/e4I9Gr7ChC
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 2, 2024
Chiefs Try Out Ian Book at QB
The random slew of KC workouts is a bit unexpected ahead of the playoffs. Book’s presence on the list might be the oddest of all.
The Chiefs roster spots are pretty locked up at quarterback with Patrick Mahomes and Blaine Gabbert, not to mention Chris Oladokun on the practice squad. It’s possible that the Chiefs are just covering their bases and creating a shortlist of depth for the playoffs.
Having said that, Book is 0-1 on his NFL career. He has a career completion percentage of 60.0, with 135 passing yards and two interceptions. He’s also taken eight sacks, while only attempting 20 passes.
Coming out of Notre Dame, Book was known for his “leadership and overall intangibles,” as well as his experience according to NFL Network draft expert Lance Zierlein. He was a three-year starter and two-time team captain with the Fighting Irish.
On the flip side, his shortcomings were that his “size and arm strength fall below NFL standards and there isn’t anything in his game that he can really hang his hat on that counters those issues.”
Book has bounced around the NFL since leaving the Saints organization, spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots. He’ll turn 26 years old in March.
Chiefs Work Out 2 RBs & 2 WRs at Areas of Need
The rest of the Tuesday workouts were all former undrafted prospects with minimal NFL experience. If there were any couple of positions to watch right now out of the group though, it’d be running back and wide receiver.
With Jerick McKinnon on the injured reserve and Clyde Edwards-Helaire dealing with an illness, the Chiefs could use some extra running back depth behind Isiah Pacheco — who just worked his way back from shoulder surgery and a concussion.
That means Hall and Thompson could be worth monitoring in the coming days. The 23-year-old Hall has spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants.
While Thompson has actually appeared in one NFL game with the Seattle Seahawks, but it was only two snaps of experience.
Copeland and Roberson are more like Hall. Neither has factored into an NFL game yet. The former is 24 years old and 6-foot-tall, while Roberson is 6-foot-1 in his second season.
Wide receiver has been a position of need all year long, although this isn’t the type of experience that Chiefs fans have been looking for.
Matt Dickerson Could Factor Into Chiefs’ Playoff Roster
Dickerson appeared in 11 games with the Chiefs this season, registering 12 total tackles (six solo). He was also credited with one quarterback pressure and five key defensive stops by Pro Football Focus.
His PFF grades were not great, however. Dickerson scored a 46.0 out of 100.0 defensively, and a 42.0 on run defense.
The journeyman’s pass rushing grade wasn’t anything special either, at 53.3. His best mark was his tackling score, which was a 73.6.
It’s possible that Dickerson could still play a role in the KC postseason as a practice squad elevation, given the lack of depth at defensive tackle. The position has been a rare weak spot inside the Chiefs’ defense this year.
