KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs general manager Brett Veach had a 53-player roster in mind heading into Thursday night’s matchup against Chicago, which culminated in a Bears victory that sent the Chiefs to a dismal 0-3 finish in the preseason.
It’s hard to see any significant performances coming out of the game that would have affected the shuffling of the roster. Carson Steele’s 50-yard rushing performance only served to solidify while Kadarius Toney’s uneven performance left him squarely on the roster bubble.
With the preseason over, Veach and his staff will spend the weekend evaluating the tape of their own game against Chico while keeping an eye on the 14 other contests taking place Friday through Sunday around the league for potential trade targets and waiver claims. Teams have until 3 p.m. central time Tuesday to whittle their roster from 90 players down to just 53.
This isn’t necessarily the final roster projection before Tuesday’s deadline to trim down to 53 players. Updates regarding injuries in particular could change the equation in some situations. For example, offensive tackle Wanya Morris left Thursday night’s game early with a knee injury, and if it’s significant enough to keep him sidelined for a meaningful amount of time, it would make sense for the Chiefs to protect an additional tackle such as Ethan Driskell.
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backup: Carson Wentz
Practice Squad Candidate: Chris Oladokun
In the mix: Ian Book
Nothing that happened in the final preseason game changes to projection at quarterback. There’s always the off-hand chance that a team could claim Oladokun off waiver or entice him to sign with their practice squad for a chance to compete for playing time. But Mahomes and Wentz should be the only quarterbacks on the active roster come Week 1.
Running back (3)
Starters: Isiah Pacheco
Backups: Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Carson Steele
Practice Squad Candidate: Deneric Prince, Louis Rees-Zammit and Keontay Ingram
In the mix: Emani Bailey
The curious case of Edwards-Helaire makes the running back situation cloudy. He returned to practice this week and worked with the starters, and didn’t play against the Bears in a preseason game designed for the second- and third-teamers. Where does he fit in? One can make a compelling case for both his inclusion and exclusion, but the gut call is that the Chiefs stick with Edwards-Healire for now and look to steer Prince, Rees-Zammit and perhaps even Ingram to the practice squad.
Wide Receiver (7)
Starters: Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy
Backups: Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and Justyn Ross
Practice Squad Candidate: Nikko Remigio, Montrell Washington, Cornell Powell and Phillip Brooks
In the mix: Kadarius Toney, Jaaron Hayek and Kyle Sheets
Moore played just one offensive snap against Chicago, underscoring his role as the No. 5 receiver with a spot locked on the active roster. But what happens after that? Hardman is looking like one of the team’s top kick returners as well as a safe choice at punt returner and a backup for the rookie Worthy. Who else fits in? Ross gives the Chiefs a big jump-ball target who can make 50/50 throws more like 90/10 balls along the sideline and in the red zone. After that, it gets difficult to find a path for Toney or Remigio on the Week 1 roster. Washington is worth keeping on the practice squad as a downfield threat and return specialist backup.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Travis Kelce
Backups: Noah Gray and Jared Wiley
Practice Squad Candidate: Irv Smith Jr. and Baylor Cupp
In the mix: Geor’Quarius Spivey
Smith had a solid camp but he doesn’t necessarily bring the skillset needed by the Chiefs as a third or a fourth tight end, specifically as a blocker and a special teams player. Gray and Wiley might be the best backup duo behind Kelce in the future Hall of Famer’s career. If that means fewer snaps and more rest for Kelce during the regular season, that’s a huge improvement for the Chiefs.
Offensive Line (10)
Starters: LT Kingsley Suamataia, LG Joe Thuney, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith and RT Jawaan Taylor
Backups: Wanya Morris, Lucas Niang, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hanson
Practice Squad Candidate: Ethan Driskell and Chukwuebuka Godrick
In the mix: Nick Torres and Griffin McDowell
The preseason gave the Chiefs reasons to worry about their backup offensive line for 2024. A bone bruise continues to hamper Morris and could impact his start of the campaign. Niang hasn’t shown the consistency desired in a No. 3 swing tackle. Caliendo is best suited at guard, and while Nourzad and Hanson show a ton of potential for the future they both need more seasoning before stepping in as reliable starters. Driskell also has a ton of talent but could use a year of strength training on the practice squad.
Defensive Line (10)
Starters: DE George Karlaftis, DT Chris Jones, DT Tershawn Wharton and DE Mike Danna
Backups: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DT Mike Pennel, DT Neil Farrell, DE Malik Herring, DT Matt Dickerson and DT Derrick Nnadi
Practice Squad Candidate: DT Fabien Lovett and DE Truman Jones
In the mix: DT Alex Gubner and DE Owen Carney
Physically Unable to Perform List: DE Charles Omenihu
Non-football Injury List: DE BJ Thompson
Depth is also a concern along the defensive line and expect the Chiefs to scout the league this weekend searching for potential waiver wire or trade targets at defensive end. Truman Jones didn’t practice this week nor played against Chicago due to a knee injury, putting his roster bid in jeopardy. The Chiefs have inside-out flexibility with Chris Jones and Wharton among defensive tackles, and even Dickerson played on the edge for a few snaps against the Bears. Nnadi isn’t yet back to full strength from his triceps injury, which is another reason the Chiefs may opt for an extra interior defender to start the season.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: SLB Leo Chenal, MLB Nick Bolton and WLB Drue Tranquill
Backups: OLB/MLB Cam Jones and MLB/OLB Jack Cochrane
Practice Squad Candidate: OLB Curtis Jacobs, OLB Cole Christiansen and OLB Swayze Bozeman
On one hand, Jacobs, Christiansen or Bozeman would provide the Chiefs with depth at linebacker plus a strong multi-phase special teams performer. But with the Chiefs favoring nickel and dime substitution packages and several safeties capable of serving as a dime linebacker, a sixth true linebacker may be a luxury the Chiefs can live without. The trio of practice squad candidates however can be called up via the standard elevation, providing the Chiefs with nearly a half-season of special teams reinforcements if necessary.
Cornerback (5)
Starters: Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson
Backups: Nazeeh Johnson, Joshua Williams and Keith Taylor
Practice Squad Candidate: Kelvin Joseph, Kamal Hadden, Nic Jones and Ekow Boye-Doe
In the Mix: Miles Battle
What will the Chiefs cornerback rotation look like in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens? You’re guess is as good as anyone’s. After an offseason of expectations that McDuffie will move to the outside fulltime, don’t be surprised if he still spends most of his time in the slot. That would leave the Chiefs in need of two additional outside corners, and it’s not entirely clear they’re comfortable with even one of their options. Watson played a team-high 53 snaps against Chicago in his only action of the preseason, and he’s the likely candidate as the No. 2 corner behind McDuffie. But who is Nos. 3, 4 and 5? Johnson and Williams are both dealing with hamstring issues while Taylor and Joseph have shown inconsistency at times. Taylor has provided the most production at corner and that gives him a leg up in the roster battle. But don’t be surprised if the Chiefs go shopping for a affordable depth here between now and Tuesday.
Safety (5)
Starters: Justin Reid and Bryan Cook
Backups: Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks and Deon Bush
Practice Squad Candidate: Chris Rolland-Wallace
In the mix: Tyree Gillespie and D.J. Miller
If Reid and Cook are 100% back from their respective quad and ankle injuries, this might be one of the deepest and most well-rounded position groups on the roster. Conner is a multifaceted safety who can play in the slot as well while Hicks is a hard-hitting tackler looking to make an impact. Bush gets the nod here over a sixth cornerback due to his high-end special teams skills.
Specialist (3)
Starters: K Harrison Butker, P Matt Araiza and LS James Winchester
In the Mix: LS Randen Plattner
Former Kansas State long snapper Plattner ably filled in for Winchester, who suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder during the second preseason game. He put good film on tape for the future and as an understudy but this is Winchester’s job for now.
