KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs spent their fourth-round pick Saturday on former Oregon Duck star De’Anthony Thomas, potentially looking at him as a replacement for return specialist Dexter McCluster, who signed with the Titans in free agency. Thomas set school records for punt and kick return yardage at Oregon, and while he was showcased more as a running back last season, he also has good hands.

“I feel like I’m an entertainer on the field,” said Thomas, who left Eugene after a junior season cut short by injuries. “I have a passion for this game.”

The Chiefs already have Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles — another former track standout — and bruising Knile Davis, their third-round pick a year ago. That means Thomas likely will evolve into a pass-catching threat rather than an every-down running back.

“First and foremost, he’s explosive,” said Trey Koziol, the Chiefs’ scout for the West Coast. “He has world-class speed, ran on the track team at Oregon. Just versatility.”

Thomas first started turning heads as a 12-year-old playing in a Pop Warner league for rap star Snoop Dogg, who claims to have given him the nickname “Black Mamba.”

“You know, when it comes down to it, you have to look at what you see on tape,” Koziol said. “You don’t see this kid get caught from behind. … The speed on tape doesn’t lie.”

Hart joins Kelly in Philly

The Philadelphia Eagles spent the first of two fifth-round picks on Oregon defensive end Taylor Hart, who played for Eagles coach Chip Kelly in college and has the long body that Kelly likes at the position.

The Eagles flew Hart in for a visit, but they did not need to determine his football aptitude.

“I guarantee he’s going to be a step above some guys in terms of his knowledge of what we’re doing already,” Kelly said.

At 6 foot 6 and 281 pounds, Hart fits the prototype that the Eagles desire for their defensive end. He was recruited by Kelly’s staff and started three years for the Ducks, including two seasons for Kelly.

“I’m a bigger, longer kind of guy who fits a 3-4 defense,” Hart said. “It’s a lot of technique that goes into playing this position, and I think that’s a pretty good advantage for me.”

Notes

Oregon CB Terrance Mitchell was selected by Dallas as a compensatory pick in the seventh round. … Portland State offensive tackle Matchell Van Dyk became the first Vikings player to be selected since Julian Thomas in 2011 when St. Louis selected him with the 11th pick in the seventh round.