NFL Free Agent Tracker: Chiefs invite 3 Jayhawks to mini-camp; 3 others earn shots elsewhere

Moments ago the identity of the NFL Draft’s 38th Mr. Irrelevant was revealed, marking the end of a seven-round affair that saw KU offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson get picked by Cincinnati with the 23rd pick in the 5th round.

Bradley McDougald, the other Jayhawk most likely to get drafted, was not picked (something that really surprised me), but may be in better shape now than if he had been selected with one of those late picks in the seventh round.

Here’s why:

1. Motivation. Being passed over by every team for seven straight rounds no doubt will put a chip on McDougald’s shoulder and he’ll enter mini camp ready to prove the world wrong.

2. He’ll get to pick his team instead of the other way around. McDougald will get a chance to make an NFL roster and now, instead of taking the hand that’s dealt to him, McDougald and his agent get to survey the landscape, look at rosters and take the free agent offer from the team that gives him the best shot to make a squad. This worked well for both Chris Harris and Steven Johnson (both with the Denver Broncos) and has worked well throughout the years for several undrafted players.

As many as 10 other former Jayhawks are likely busy looking for work right now and it’s my guess that nearly all of them will at least be invited to a camp and signed as an undrafted free agent.

Joining McDougald as the most notable names on this list are: QB Dayne Crist, DE/FB Toben Opurum and CB Greg Brown.

Call me crazy, but given their luck with Jayhawks in recent years, I wouldn’t be surprised for a second if the Broncos went back to the well one more time and added a Kansas free agent.

I’ve got phone calls and feelers out in all directions and this stuff usually happens pretty quickly once the draft ends, so check back right here for updated free agent info on KU’s remaining NFL hopefuls.

2013 NFL Free Agent Signings:

• 7:02 p.m. – Bradley McDougald Tweets that he has agreed to a free-agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Tweet: “Just agreed to a free agent deal with the KC Chiefs… Thank you for all the love and support, time to go to work!”

• 7:46 p.m. – Cornerback Greg Brown Tweets that he has agreed to a deal with San Diego. Man, there’s something about KU defensive backs and the AFC West. Tweet: Blessings have fallen! HUMBLE BEGINNINGS! TAKING MY TALENTS TO SAN DIEGO!!!!!! #CHARGERS

• 8:20 p.m. – Defensive end/Fullback Toben Opurum Tweets that he gets a shot with Kansas City. The Chiefs drafted K-State FB Braden Wilson, so Toben’s best shot at making the squad may come on defense/special teams. Tweet: #Chiefs mini-camp invite… All I asked for was an opportunity.. Leggo

• 8:29 p.m. – QB Dayne Crist Tweets that he, too, will get an opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs. Crist, along with McDougald and Opurum, will report to rookie camp on May 9. Tweet: God is great, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to get back on the field! Rookie Camp for the Chiefs May 9th can’t come soon enough!

• 8:32 p.m. – Offensive lineman Trevor Marrongelli just updated me via text message. Said he got an invite to camp from the Detroit Lions just after 8:00 p.m. and that he was weighing his options.

• 8:36 p.m. – Linebacker Tunde Bakare just sent me a text and said he was invited to camp with the Chicago Bears. Probably won’t make it as a pure linebacker, but I like Tunde’s speed and physicality on special teams.