The Kansas City Chiefs just made a move to shore up their offensive line, picking up former UFL player Kellen Diesch after waiving tackle Matt Waletzko with an injury designation on Thursday morning. It’s a classic mid-season grab for depth, but this dude’s journey to the NFL is anything but typical.
From Combine Crusher to UFL Gridiron
Diesch, at 28 years old, is a beast of a tackle, listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 303 pounds. But get this: back at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, he put up some absolutely eye-popping numbers for a man his size. We’re talking a 4.89-second 40-yard dash, which put him in the 97th percentile. Seriously, a guy that big running that fast? That’s just wild. He also crushed the 10-yard dash (1.7 seconds, 94th percentile), vertical jump (32 1/2 inches, 90th percentile), and 20-yard shuttle (4.43 seconds, 95th percentile).
Despite those insane athletic tests, Diesch went undrafted in 2022. He bounced around a bit, signing with the Miami Dolphins before landing on the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, making a few other NFL stops along the way. But here’s the kicker: he never took a single regular-season snap in the league. For the past two seasons, 2025 and 2026, he’s been grinding it out in the UFL, playing for three different teams. This past season alone, he logged 130 snaps at left tackle, 14 at left guard, 66 at right guard, and 64 at right tackle. Talk about versatile, right? He’s a guy who can play literally anywhere on that line.
Chiefs’ O-Line Needed a Shot in the Arm
Why are the Chiefs bringing in a UFL veteran now? Well, their offensive line group is looking a little thin right now, especially with Waletzko heading out with an injury. Plus, their starting left tackle, Josh Simmons, just ran with the third team the other day before popping up on the injury report himself with a back issue. Oof.
So, Diesch is coming in to fill a role on the third-team offensive line. He’ll be rocking the No. 74 jersey for Kansas City, according to Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. It’s clear the Chiefs are looking for an experienced, albeit unconventional, option to provide some much-needed depth and competition upfront. You can’t have enough bodies on the offensive line, especially in the regular season when injuries start piling up. Getting a guy who’s been playing competitive football, even in the UFL, and can slot into multiple positions, is a smart move when you’re in a pinch.
This isn’t some splashy signing, but for the Chiefs, bringing in a UFL ironman like Kellen Diesch could be a quiet win for their offensive line depth. With injuries popping up and the need to keep their playmakers protected, adding a versatile tackle who’s already been playing snaps feels like a solid, immediate answer. Will he finally get his first regular-season NFL snap? We’ll be watching to see if this athletic marvel can make the most of his shot.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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