This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
Humphrey (6-5, 312) spent the last three seasons as a reliable and dependable starter for the Sooners. He broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2018 and was a steady producer at the point of attack. That trend continued in 2019 and 2020, with Humphrey putting together good seasons for the Sooners. During the leadup to the 2021 NFL Draft, there were some in the draft media who projected Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey to be a first-round pick. Those high projections for Humphrey led some to be surprised when he slid to late in the second round.
Team sources told WalterFootball.com they though Humphrey went where he belonged. Some teams had a third-round grade on him, so going late in the second round was a reasonable spot in the draft for him.
The Kansas City Chiefs ended Humphrey’s fall just two picks shy of the third round. Given the Chiefs’ depth chart, it looks like Humphrey should be a stater in the near future. Veteran Austin Blythe is more of a backup-caliber player, so as soon as this coming season, Humphrey could be snapping the ball to star quarterback Pat Mahomes II. Some team sources felt Humphrey was not a fit for guard in the NFL and should be a center only, but the Chiefs could consider playing Humphrey at guard if he is their best option. As he gains experience, Humphrey looks like a safe pick to evolve into being a solid starting center for Kansas City.
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