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kansas city chiefs

Chiefs’ Roster Puzzle Still Missing Pieces: A Look at Kansas City’s Projected 53-Man Roster, With the Running Back and Cornerback Positions Remaining Unsolved Mysteries

Missouri’s Saint Joseph We have a very good sample size to decide who is doing well enough to make the 53-man roster of the Kansas City Chiefs after one preseason game and fifteen training camp practices.

In the two weeks leading up to August 27, the NFL’s annual cutdown day, anything may happen. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Chiefs in their first exhibition game on Saturday, but the result still gave us a decent idea of the team’s depth chart.

Approximately five roster spots are still available as of right now. There are perhaps a dozen players on the roster bubble for whom the next two preseason games will be crucial. Additionally, a select few players have struggled with availability on the field, which may have an impact on whether or not they performed enough for coach Andy Reid and his coaching staff to guarantee their status.

Our final roster projection will come after the Chiefs’ preseason finale against the Chicago Bears.

Note: Starters are designated in italics.

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2): Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz

Mahomes, who is starting his seventh season, performed admirably in his limited action on Saturday, completing three of his four throws (receiver Rashee Rice dropped the fourth one on a third-down play). The fact that Mahomes was not hit during the game is fantastic news. When the Chiefs play the Detroit Lions on Saturday afternoon, he should get his last dress rehearsal.

Wentz ought to provide the Chiefs with their most gifted backup quarterback since Mahomes. Wentz displayed a little amount of his agility on Saturday, but the second-team offensive line’s troubles prevented him from spending much time in the pocket. Third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun has a significant advantage over Ian Book to be the practice squad’s scout-team passer, despite not being featured in our prediction.

Running backs (2): Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Chiefs’ main problem going into training camp was that they only had two running backs with real experience, Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire. Of course, there are other options at this position as well.

Deneric Prince still has a good chance of being added to the squad. On Saturday night, the rookie gained 16 yards through rushes on four tries. However, Prince has to be more reliable on special teams and as a pass protector. On a kickoff, Prince cost the Chiefs a safety. A ball that lands in the end zone but bounces back onto the field of play is considered a live ball under the league’s new system, thereby turning it into a fumble. Prince ought to have caught the ball and taken a knee for a touchback to guarantee the Chiefs began their possession from the 30-yard line, rather than allowing it land behind him in the end zone.

Fullback (1): Carson Steele

Prince is left off of this roster projection for another reason: undrafted rookie Steele had an unquestionably fantastic preseason debut. With four attempts, 29 rushing yards, and multiple tackle breaks, Steele led the Chiefs. Reid’s orthodox views regarding the fullback’s adaptability provide Steele even more reason to make the starting roster. The Chiefs will put Steele to the test again on Saturday against the Lions to see how well he can block for Edwards-Helaire and Pacheco.

Wide receivers (7): Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio

Alright, let us do it again. The Chiefs probably only intended to keep six receivers when training camp started, which frees up a spot on the roster for an offensive lineman. Due in part to a knee injury that kept the then-projected No. 1 receiver Kadarius Toney out of camp and the preseason last year, the Chiefs were forced to carry seven receivers.

The Chiefs should hold onto seven receivers this season following Brown’s sternoclavicular dislocation. The Chiefs’ season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5 is likely to be missed by Brown.

Ross and Remigio earned the final two spots because they shown their ability to perform in their duties by playing against the Jaguars. For the Chiefs, Ross had the best reception of the game, and Remigio is perhaps the best kickoff returner on the squad. Toney and 2022 second-round selection Skyy Moore will need to perform well in the remaining two preseason games in order to increase their chances of being included on the starting squad.

Tight ends (4): Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Irv Smith Jr.

The Chiefs have four good tight ends on their roster once more. The sixth-year veteran Smith has performed admirably in camp and has the potential to contribute to special teams. In certain offensive configurations, Gray and Wiley can play the role of the second tight end interchangeably.

Linemen (9): Kingsley Suamataia, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Wanya Morris, Mike Caliendo, Lucas Niang, Hunter Nourzad

Morris, a second-year lineman, suffered a right leg injury during camp last week, which prevented him from playing against the Jaguars. He seems destined to be the swing tackle for the Chiefs. Thus far, every sign points to Suamataia as the winner of the starting left tackle position. He performed admirably on his six snaps against the Jaguars, covering Mahomes.

In terms of backup positions, Caliendo ought to start at guard in the event that Smith or Thuney are hurt. Niang will return for another season as the backup right tackle, while Nourzad, a rookie, can play center or guard as he develops. The Chiefs’ lack of a designated backup center is the only problem. The Chiefs may have to place rookie seventh-round pick C.J. Hanson on waivers before bringing him to the practice squad in order to make room for a seventh receiver due to a need.

Defense (25)

Linemen (9): George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, Mike Danna, Tershawn Wharton, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Derrick Nnadi, Neil Farrell, Malik Herring

Looking at this bunch, one could argue that because Jones is not holding out, the Chiefs are in much better shape than they were a year ago. Additionally, Pennel seems to be an improvement over Nadi at this point.

However, another way to view this bunch is as a reminder that the Chiefs still have a shortage of good defensive lineman. Charles Omenihu, who is still listed as physically unable to perform while healing from a ruptured right ACL he suffered in January, is the main absence. Omenihu’s earliest possible return to action is in late October; he might play against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 27 in Week 8.

Throughout camp, Anudike-Uzomah has made minor progress, and Farrell ought to play a larger part this year. For the beginning of the season, the Chiefs might yet use another defensive end. The team has $17.1 million in salary-cap room if general manager Brett Veach decides to make a move before the season opening, according to Over the Cap.

Linebacker (5): Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones

There are no surprises here. Bolton should be fit for the season opening despite missing Saturday’s match due to a left elbow injury. Throughout camp, Cochrane has been among the top performers. On Saturday, Cochrane picked up a terrific sack of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Bolton’s absence.

Jones seems to have a slight advantage against Cole Christiansen based on Saturday’s game, particularly when it comes to special teams snaps. Christiansen continued to show off against the Jaguars, sacking Mac Jones, the backup quarterback. The Chiefs may be able to maintain six linebackers if Christiansen performs well in the last two preseason games.

Cornerbacks (6): Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Kelvin Joseph, Nazeeh Johnson, Kamal Hadden

Remember that Reid and Veach believed the Chiefs still had three competent starters in McDuffie, Williams, and Watson? That was a big part of the reasoning behind the Chiefs’ offseason trade of L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans. McDuffie has performed admirably in camp, though. The issue is that nobody has presented a compelling case for being the backup starting cornerback.

Williams had a mixed showing in his first game against the Jaguars. He made three tackles and successfully stopped one throw to the outside. However, rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. outran him with a 41-yard reception.

The Chiefs are hoping that Johnson (strained hamstring), Joseph (strained shoulder), and Watson (strained hamstring) will be able to play against the Lions in order to intensify competition for the starting position.

Safeties (5): Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Charmarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Deon Bush

As of right moment, Steve Spagnuolo’s unit is strongest position group is this one. The Chiefs anticipate that Reid (quad) will be prepared for the start of the regular season, much like Bolton. Conner ought to be the starting nickel back if the cornerbacks can not get it together.

Against the Jaguars, Hicks, a rookie selected in the fourth round, was among the better defenders. During camp, Hicks performed admirably when given first-team reps, and Spagnuolo rewarded him by starting him as the only rookie defensive player. With three solo tackles in the first half, including one against running back Tank Bigsby in a one-on-one situation on the perimeter below the line of scrimmage, Hicks led the Chiefs. Bush and Hicks ought to contribute more than the usual amount to special teams.

Special teams (3)

Kicker (1): Harrison Butker
Punter (1): Matt Araiza
Long snapper (1): James Winchester

Against the Jaguars, all three of the specialists played admirably. Coordinator Dave Toub might choose to have Butker smash the ball through the end zone if the Chiefs’ coverage unit keeps having trouble with kickoffs. This would give the opposition the ball at the 30-yard line.

Araiza impressed with four punts against the Jaguars in his first game in nearly two years. Two found himself within the 20-yard line, and Toub must be pleased with his average of 41.3 yards.

It seems like Toub has three viable choices for returners in Remigio, Worthy, and Hardman.

(Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)

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