After the draft ended in April, the Kansas City Chiefs targeted Jamal Custis as an undrafted free agent. Their financial commitment said so.
But despite a reported $106,000 bonus that is the most for an undrafted wide receiver of the past two seasons, Custis did not make it past final cuts with the Chiefs.
Chiefs were so determined to add more WR talent that they gave undrafted Syracuse WR Jamal Custis over $100K in guaranteed money, believed to be the highest guarantee for any undrafted WR over the past two drafts, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 3, 2019
Now, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers’ turn to try to tap Custis’ potential. The Steelers signed the tall former Syracuse receiver to their practice squad Wednesday.
Custis looks the part at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds with 10 7/8-inch hands and having run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. But he had only four catches for 32 yards in four preseason games (including at Heinz Field on Aug. 17).
“I’m happy to be here; I’m just going to do what they ask,” Custis said. “I am just happy to contribute and trying to learn as much as possible.”
He brings height, speed, and physicality. Meet undrafted free agent Jamal Custis.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 15, 2019
Player Profiles with @ChiefsReporter pic.twitter.com/BHnM0l8veO
For context of how unusually big a $106,000 signing bonus is, according to spotrac.com the biggest bonus the Steelers gave to an undrafted player this year was the $20,000 given to cornerback Alexander Myres. The Steelers gave one of their draft picks (seventh-rounder Derwin Gray) less than the Chiefs gave Custis ($105,450).
Custis was second-team ACC as a senior last season with 51 catches, 906 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
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