ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Monday was “Moving Day” for the Chiefs, the first day of practice after the opening game of the preseason when NFL teams reshuffle their depth charts and begin drawing a distinction between the 53 players who will make their opening roster and those who are fighting for one more chance to prove themselves.
Indeed, there are still 13 days until teams must pare down their 90-player rosters to 53 for Week 1 of the new NFL season. (The deadline is 3 p.m. CDT, Tuesday, Aug. 27). Injuries, miscues and breakout performances can still shake up the depth charts, but the biggest changes of training all occurred during the past two days.
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backup: Carson Wentz
Practice Squad Candidate: Chris Oladokun
In the mix: Ian Book
There are largely no questions here, aside from the slight possibility the Chiefs could protect Oladokun on the 53-player roster. Mahomes has had an excellent camp — and he’s the best football player on the planet. Wentz may be the club’s best backup quarterback since Mahomes himself in 2017. Book has a solid arm and can flash at times but is too ready to run at the first sign of trouble. Oladokun has learned from Mahomes that running is simply a pathway to buying time to throw.
Running back (4)
Starters: Isiah Pacheco
Backups: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince and Carson Steele
Practice Squad Candidate: Louis Rees-Zammit and Keontay Ingram
In the mix: Emani Bailey
No one has risen up the depth chart faster than Steele, who emerged from the pack over the last two weeks to taking No. 2 reps on Monday and Tuesday. He’s listed on the team’s depth chart as a fullback but he’s not a true fullback — and if Steele makes the team he will make it because he is capable of playing multiple roles including as a lead back and a lead blocker. Prince is a candidate to return kicks which bolsters his roster bid. Where Edwards-Helaire fits in the mix is murky for now after an ineffective four snaps against Jacksonville and his absence due to illness Monday and Tuesday. Rees-Zammit had moments against the Jaguars but aside from special teams, he’s a developmental project for now.
Wide Receiver (7)
Starters: Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy
Backups: Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore 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
Brown’s injury makes the case for keeping seven receivers easier to build. Yet despite that concern starting the season, it’s increasingly difficulty to find a path for Toney onto the roster. Availability due to injuries continues to remain a problem but it’s simply a lack of consistent plays that makes championing Toney’s cause problematic. Remigio still has a compelling resume combined with his special teams work but his nearly lost fumble and muffed punt against Jacksonville loom large. Ross appears to have the upper hand for now but how the kick return position sorts out will significantly impact Remigio’s chances. If Hardman and Prince make the roster, Remigio could be redundant for now.
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
Wiley continues to have a great camp, particularly as a red-zone target, and even though his blocking remains a work in progress he’s going to have a role in the offense. Smith has had a solid camp as a pass catcher but he struggles with blocking and hasn’t stood out in red-zone situations. He’s still intriguing as a matchup problem for defenses due to his quickness but it’s hard to argue what he brings to the table that Gray doesn’t provide.
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: LT Kingsley Suamataia, LG Joe Thuney, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith and RT Jawaan Taylor
Backups: Wanya Morris, Lucas Niang, Mike Caliendo and Hunter Nourzad
Practice Squad Candidate: C.J. Hanson, Ethan Driskell and Chukwuebuka Godrick
In the mix: Nick Torres, Griffin McDowell and McKade Mettauer
The battle for the left tackle position is over and Suamataia is the clear winner. Morris and Niang add depth at the tackle position while Caliendo is a reliable swing guard and Nourzad a natural backup behind Humphrey. Hanson can still find a way on this roster at the expense of a fourth running back or seventh receiver. Driskell is an intriguing project at tackle and Godrick is the team’s international exempt player who can be added as a 17th practice squad member.
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
Normally the mix would be five ends and five tackles but the club’s lack of depth on the edge makes it difficult to keep a fifth edge player for now. Taking into consideration the health of Chris Jones (groin and shoulder injuries in camp) and Nnadi (still not fully back from triceps surgery) along with the age of Pennel (33) and keeping an extra tackle starting the season isn’t the worst idea. Several players have inside/outside flexibility which could allow the Chiefs to float here until Omenihu’s anticipated return at midseason. It still wouldn’t be a surprise if the Chiefs explore a trade or the waiver wire for an edge rusher who can hold up against the run.
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
Finding room for a sixth linebacker wouldn’t be a surprise, especially given the new dynamic kickoff rule that seems to make linebackers and safeties more valuable. If the Chiefs were able to keep Jacobs, Christiansen and Bozeman on the practice squad, however, that’s nine elevations during the season that can go a long way. Jacobs has made a compelling bid for the roster but everyone in this group can play.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson
Backups: Nazeeh Johnson, Joshua Williams, Kelvin Joseph and Kamal Hadden
Practice Squad Candidate: Nic Jones and Ekow Boye-Doe
In the Mix: Keith Taylor and Miles Battle
Arguably the least settled position on the club with the only starting position up for grabs. It’s Watson’s opportunity for now as the No. 2 corner opposite McDuffie, and it certainly appears that Watson and Johnson are the final two candidates. Injuries have kept both players from pushing for the job to this point but now both players are cleared and appear ready for the battle. With safety Chamarri Conner currently the slot cornerback, Nic Jones’ struggles against Jacksonville have him on the outside for now. Hadden might land on the opening roster but he hasn’t secured a spot yet. McDuffie, Watson, Johnson and Williams are locks for the roster if healthy but the final one or two spots are up in the air for now.
Safety (4)
Starters: Justin Reid and Bryan Cook
Backups: Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks
Practice Squad Candidate: Chris Rolland-Wallace and Deon Bush
In the mix: Tyree Gillespie and D.J. Miller
The return of Reid to the practice field provides a sigh of relief for the Chiefs. The club appears loaded at this position group with Reid and Cook on the backend, Conner in the slot and Hicks as a hard-hitting weapon. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs eventually begin using Hicks as a dime linebacker similar to how the club once used Dan Sorensen. Bush could make the roster as a special teams player in place of a sixth cornerback. The youngster to keep an eye on is Rolland-Wallace, the former Arizona and USC cornerback turned safety who has impressed during camp and played well against Jacksonville while tallying a team-high 38 snaps Saturday night.
Specialist (3)
Starters: K Harrison Butker, P Matt Araiza and LS James Winchester
Nothing to discuss here. Chiefs appear ready to roll into the regular season with the rookie Araiza as their punter and holder, and thus far he hasn’t given the club any reason to worry about that choice.
