With the end of the preseason just around the corner, roster crunches for NFL teams are starting to take place. The Chiefs' bar is set for another championship after two consecutive Super Bowl wins. That brings a 53-man roster with few surprises.
After two preseason games, the Chiefs have easily been able to crack down on weak spots in the roster. While the team was solid last season, there are certain spots for improvement. Going into this season, the biggest question marks remain with the receivers' unit. While the team won the Super Bowl last season, its struggles were heavily rooted in the reliability of its offense in scoring enough points to win a game. By bolstering its offense this offseason, the Chiefs have the recipe to repeat once again.
Kansas City Chiefs Offense
Quarterbacks (2) - Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz
Outside Looking In - Chris Oladokun, Ian Book
The quarterback position is one of the easiest to predict for the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and managed to have above-average stats during a season where his receivers could not score as much as they should. Mahomes had his worst season in 2023, and his projections in 2024 are going to be much greater. With new receivers, Mahomes is projected to equal some of his lowest numbers from the 2019 season but will produce more.
During the second preseason game, Carson Wentz got the chance to take over for Mahomes. Although Wentz was shaky, going 5 of 10 for 31 yards, he is still the best option to sit behind Mahomes during the season.
Chris Oladokun has shown major improvement so far this preseason, but he will still be on the outside looking in for at least the beginning of the season. The Chiefs will opt for a veteran backup in the unfortunate chance that Mahomes goes down. The Chiefs are expected to keep Oladokun on the practice squad to serve as an emergency quarterback, especially with the new rule introduced this season.
Running Backs (4) - Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Carson Steele, Deneric Prince
Outside Looking In - Keaontay Ingram, Louis Rees-Zammit, Emani Bailey
After a season where Mahomes was second on the team in rushing yards, the Chiefs are still planning to run out some of the same starters. Isiah Pacheco ended an impressive rookie season by bouncing back from an injury. While his numbers were indeed not as impressive as his sophomore season, an entire season this year should get Pacheco back to his original production.
Regarding the second-string running back, the preseason has shown that this position is fully open. While Edwards-Helaire has secured his spot on the roster, it is unclear that his playing time is secured. Carson Steele has been incredible so far in the preseason and has surprised everyone with his skills as a UDFA.
Wide Receivers (7) - Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross
Outside Looking In - Kadarius Toney, Phillip Brooks, Cornell Powell, Montrell Washington, Nikko Remingo, Jaaron Hayek, Kyle Sheets
After a lackluster season from the wide receivers, the Chiefs prioritized finding a new core this offseason. The additions of Hollywood Brown and the rookie out of Texas, Xavier Worthy, provide Mahomes with much-needed reliability. Rashee Rice is coming off of a great season and looks to improve in his sophomore season.
In the first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brown suffered a sternoclavicular injury that will sideline him for multiple weeks. While it is unlikely that he will be able to start week one, Brown is still projected to land on the 53-man roster and be an option fairly quickly. With this injury, a spot is opened up for Hardman as the primary punt returner. It is very unlikely that Kansas City would want Worthy to return punts, and Hardman's familiarity with the system will allow him to take over the role.
Skyy Moore and Justyn Ross provide depth in the WR room and seem to be solid options for Kansas City. Throughout training camp and preseason action, Moore has found himself completing reps with the first team, and it is doubtful that the Chiefs will want to move on from their former second-round pick this early. Justyn Ross has a better track record than Kadarius Toney when it comes to injuries.
On the outside is Toney, the former first-round pick by the New York Giants. Toney has been injured far too many times in his three-year career, and when he is on the field, the production does not outweigh the risk. Toney's stats are abysmal this preseason, and how he plays week in and week out might land him out of the league completely once the Chiefs cut him.
Tight Ends (3) - Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley
Outside Looking In - Irv Smith Jr
The biggest question regarding the tight end position deals with Irv Smith Jr. Since I predicted Steele would make the roster, Smith becomes expendable at the bottom of the depth chart. Gray has been responsible for blocking more than receiving in his first three seasons with the Chiefs but will be able to develop more in the receiving area if Steele is on the roster.
Rookie Jared Wiley will most likely make the roster after his performance in training camp and throughout the preseason. Many say Wiley could be Kelce's successor once he retires, so it would be hard to imagine the team leaving him off the roster this season.
Offensive Line (9) - Kingsley Suamataia, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Wanya Morris, Trey Smith, Lucas Niang, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, Jawaan Taylor
Outside Looking In - Chukwuebuka Godrick, C.J. Hanson
So far, the offensive line for the Chiefs this preseason has been home to one of the biggest rookie standouts. Since training camp, Kingsley Suamataia has shown off his skills and has solidified himself as the left tackle for the season. In the second preseason game, the coaching staff showed their trust in Suamataia by taking him out with the rest of the veterans. Trust like that in the NFL speaks volumes, especially for a rookie. Wanya Morris, Mike Caliendo, and Hunter Nourzad are currently solid backups in the offense.
On the outside are Chukawuebuka Godrick and C.J. Hanson. As the Chiefs' international player pathway designee, Godrick can return to the practice squad without taking up one of the 16 squad spots. This can allow Godrick to improve on the practice squad without running the risk of losing him to another team and allowing other players to join the practice squad. On the other hand, cutting C.J. Hanson might be risky since he is a rookie seventh-round pick, but some of the other linemen project to be better additions to the offensive line.
Kansas City Chiefs Defense
Defensive Line (9) - George Karloftis, Michael Danna, Felix Anundike-Uzomah, Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, Neil Farrell, Malik Herring
Outside Looking In - Matt Dickerson, Alex Gubner, Fabien Lovett, Truman Jones, Owen Carney
For most of the defensive line, there's little question about who will make it. While the offense struggles mounted last season, Steve Spagnuolo's defense remained one of the best in the NFL. The biggest question remains with Matt Dickerson and Neil Farrell. So far in camp, Farrell has been more impressive. However, Derrick Nnadi's rehab from a triceps injury might allow Dickerson to make the roster.
Linebackers (6) - Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones, Cole Christiansen
Outside Looking In - Curtis Jacobs, Swayze Bozeman
The Chiefs' linebackers are an intriguing group. They have a lot of depth that most of the other groups seem to lack. In 2023, Jack Cochrane and Cam Jones found themselves on either side of the ball, contributing to special teams and the defense.
On the outside is Curtis Jacobs, a rookie linebacker just edged out by Cole Christiansen. Jacobs will likely end up on the practice squad, especially since Spagnuolo referenced him as a work in progress.
Cornerbacks (6) - Trent McDuffie, Nazeeh Johnson, Jaylen Watson, Nic Jones, Joshua Wilson, Kelvin Joseph
Outside Looking In - Kamal Hadden, Ekow Boye-Doe, Miles Battle, Keith Taylor, Connor Charmarri
For cornerbacks, the Chiefs are locked and loaded. Nic Jones rounds out a solidified group because of his versatility in playing on both sides of the ball. The biggest question between these players is the battle between Kelvin Joseph and Kamal Hadden. While Joseph has been limited lately due to a hamstring injury, he still provides a veteran presence for the team. Hadden going to the practice squad would allow him to develop more and get a better feel for the NFL.
Safety (4) - Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks
Outside Looking In - Deon Bush, D.J. Miller, Chris Roland-Wallace, Tyree Gillespie
As the preseason ends, the Chiefs will increasingly likely have the best set of safeties in the league. The trio of Justin Reed, Bryan Cook, and Chamarri Conner is perfect for Spanuolo's defense, and the group keeps getting better each game.
In preseason action, Jaden Hicks gave a solid reasoning for why he should make the team. The rookie shined in his NFL debut, making three defensive tackles and one special teams tackle. While the trio is already defined, Hicks is giving a reason for the coaching staff to keep him on the field.
Kansas City Chiefs Special Teams
Specialist (3) - Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester
Outside Looking In - Randen Plattner
In the offseason, Harrison Butker signed a lucrative four-year contract to stay with the Chiefs and looks to continue being one of the most consistent kickers in the league. James Winchester is expected to be back for the start of his tenth season with the Chiefs after getting injured in the second preseason game. Matt Araiza is projected to get his first NFL start with the Chiefs after shining in his first two preseason starts.
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