Kansas City adds two Tigers

Richardson goes in sixth round to Chiefs, who sign McDuffie as a free agent

By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

CLEMSON — Former Clemson offensive lineman Barry Richardson’s wait was longer than he hoped but not in vain.

Richardson, touted earlier in his career as a likely high draft choice, was taken by Kansas City in the sixth round (No. 170) Sunday.

Scouts questioned whether Richardson had the footwork to make the league as a left tackle — where he started at Clemson for four seasons — and Kansas City coach Herm Edwards apparently agreed.

The Chiefs plan to try Richardson as a right tackle, where strength and tenacity are of greater importance.

“(He’s) a big, powerful guy,” Edwards said. “We feel like he’s a right tackle.”

Clemson had two players chosen during the two-day draft, tying their lowest total since being shutout in 2002. Phillip Merling was taken in the second round by Miami on Saturday. However, next year’s draft class offers the prospect of surpassing the school’s record of six drafted players (in a seven-round draft).

Two other players viewed as fringe draft prospects — guard Chris McDuffie and outside linebacker Nick Watkins — were undrafted.

McDuffie said he agreed to a free-agent contract with Kansas City minutes after the draft, meaning he will reunite with Richardson.

Outside linebacker Tramaine Billie, a Dreher High graduate, and offensive guard Christian Capote were trying to land rookie training camp invitations.

Richardson, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound graduate of Wando High believed he would go in the first half of the draft despite analysts’ predictions of a precipitous fall.

Kansas City was in the market for a left tackle, but team officials indicated they plan to convert Virginia guard Branden Albert, a first-round pick, into its starter at that position.

Terence Patterson, one of Richardson’s agents, said the player intends to treat the criticism he heard during the draft evaluation process as motivation.

Attempts to reach Richardson were unsuccessful.

“It’s been very frustrating from the standpoint of people poking at him,” Patterson said. “He’s ready to make a big impression.”