KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In 20 days, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach must whittle a roster of 91 players down to 53 before the team’s season opener against Detroit, and making those final decisions may be more difficult than ever.
“How many guys we keep at a particular spot, I think will be a little bit more daunting of a task than in years past,” Veach told Chiefs Digest Wednesday.
Indeed, the team’s depth at three key positions means that the biggest challenge won’t necessarily lie with sorting the depth chart but rather identifying which position groups deserve priority.
Preseason games become critical in sorting out those decisions, Veach explained.
“We’ve seen it over the years, where positions and the number of a specific position is kind of up in the air, and then all of a sudden, the guy just makes it clear, that’s the way to go,” Veach said. “So hopefully, I think the most important thing is to get out of these next three games healthy. And then directly after that is we’re really hoping some of these guys, whether it be a fifth safety, sixth corner, seventh wideout, these guys just stand out, make plays and earn their way on the roster.”
The Chiefs unveiled the club’s unofficial depth chart Tuesday evening without too many surprises. Chris Jones is listed as a starter at defensive tackle despite not yet reporting for training camp. The biggest surprise might be the listing of Tershawn Wharton on the fourth team at defensive tackle despite receiving work with the first unit after his acclimation period.
This roster projection is based on the unofficial depth chart, tracking and observation of all training camp practices and interviews with Chiefs players, coaches and other personnel.
Quarterbacks (3)
Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backups: Blaine Gabbert and Shane Buechele
Players to watch: Chris Oladokun
The quarterback rotation is firmly set with Gabbert as the backup and Buechele likely the third quarterback. A new rule change for this season allows teams to dress a third emergency quarterback on game day but that player must be on the 53-player active roster. It’s an incentive to carry a third quarterback, and the Chiefs have done so with Buechele for much of the past two seasons.
“I don’t think that we’re locked in or committed to do anything,” Veach said. “And I think that we just want to make sure we keep the best players, and obviously, Shane has been a great player.”
Oladokun is a strong practice squad candidate, especially since he performed well on the scout last season mimicking dual-threat quarterbacks on the schedule.
Running Backs (4)
Starters: Isiah Pacheco
Backups: Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Deneric Prince
Players to watch: La’Michal Perine
In the mix: Jerrion Ealy
Pacheco remains in a non-contact jersey for now but shows all signs of resuming a full workload soon, perhaps as early as next week following the preseason game against New Orleans. Edwards-Helaire has served as the No. 1 back in Pacheco’s absence and is a reliable backup if needed. McKinnon should have a similar role as last season as a third-down back and a pass catcher. Prince has all but locked up a roster spot as the starting kick returner so long as he doesn’t disappoint during preseason games. Perine and Ealy are both practice squad candidates but Perine would likely be next in line if there is an injury during the preseason.
Wide Receivers (7)
Starters: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Sky Moore
Backups: Justin Watson, Rashee Rice, Richie James and Justyn Ross
Players to watch: Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Nikko Remigio
In the mix: Cornell Powell, Ty Fryfogle, Kekoa Crawford and Ty Scrott
There is a serious consideration for the Chiefs to carry seven wide receivers entering the season, especially with Toney’s injury history and his current recovery from a torn meniscus. He will likely be ready early in the season but the Chiefs may need insurance at this position. James is the No. 1 option at punt returner and likely next in line if Prince stumbles at kick returner in the preseason. Risking Ross to waivers after his strong training camp is likely too big a chance to take. Unless another injury hits this group or Toney suffers a setback, expect the Chiefs to keep seven receivers heading into Week 1.
Tight Ends (3)
Starter: Travis Kelce
Backups: Noah Gray and Jody Fortson
Players to watch: Matt Bushman
In the mix: Blake Bell, Kendall Blanton and Izaiah Gathings
There is no question at the top of the depth chart with Kelce and Gray firmly entrenched. The questions arise behind them, where Fortson is dealing with a dislocated shoulder and the 31-year-old Bell is coming off a core muscle injury from last season and offseason appendectomy. Bushman has had one of the strongest performances in camp, however, and could push for a roster spot with a strong preseason campaign. If Fortson returns soon he should have an edge over Bell and Bushman. Bell has a veteran minimum salary benefit contract with no guaranteed money, however. If the Chiefs need a roster spot for a day to place a player on injured reserve to start the season, they could release Bell and sign him back the next day.
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: LT Donovan Smith, LG Joe Thuney, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith and RT Jawaan Taylor
Backups: G/C Nick Allegretti, OT Wanya Morris, OT Prince Tega Wanogho and G/T Darian Kinnard
Players to watch: OT Lucas Niang and G/C Mike Caliendo
In the mix: C Austin Reiter, G Jerome Carvin, G/T Sebastian Gutierrez, C Anderson Hardy and T/G Chukwuebuka (Jason) Godrick
Smith and Taylor have shown plenty during training camp to believe they can provide stability at the tackle position. Allegretti is a reliable hand at the three interior positions and Morris is a potential starter at tackle down the road. Kinnard also offers valuable flexibility on a rookie contract. The difficult decision comes down to whether the team keeps nine or 10 linemen, and the battle for those last spots appears down to Wanogho and Niang. Both have taken reps and left and right tackle with the second-unit offense but Wanogho appears to have a slight edge.
Defensive Line (9)
Starters: DE George Karlaftis, DT Chris Jones, DT Derrick Nnadi and DE Mike Danna
Backups: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DT Tershawn Wharton, DT Keondre Coburn, DE BJ Thompson and DE Malik Herring
Suspended list: DE Charles Omenihu
Players to watch: DE Daniel Wise
In the mix: DE Joshua Kaindoh, DT Danny Shelton, DT Phil Hoskins, DT Matt Dickerson, DT Chris Williams and DE Truman Jones
The variables among the defensive line make this group among the hardest on the squad to predict. This projection assumes the club and Jones will reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension and he will take his spot inside in Week 1. The Chiefs know they will start the season without Omenihu, who recently received a six-game suspension from the NFL for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Karlaftis and Danna will likely start the season on the edges. First-round draft choice Anudike-Uzomah is still catching up after a hand injury limited his offseason workouts. The most ideal outcome is that he becomes a second-half-of-the-season contributor much like Karlaftis did a year ago. Thompson isn’t guaranteed to make the roster but his upside makes him a likely candidate to stick. The final roster spot here will likely go to a pass rusher with inside-out versatility, and Herring best fills that role. Wise has received the most opportunities with the first team in Jones’ absence and can’t be ruled out as a strong candidate.
Linebackers (5)
Starters: WLB Willie Gay, MLB Nick Bolton and SLB Leo Chenal
Backups: Drue Tranquil and Jack Cochrane
In the mix: Cole Christiansen and Cam Jones
The linebacker group is another where the depth chart looks locked down. Tranquill will get plenty of snaps as the backup linebacker and could have a heavy workload in some scheme-specific matchups. He’s also a valuable special teams contributor along with Cochrane. It would surprise if the Chiefs didn’t keep these five on the opening week roster barring injury.
Cornerbacks (5)
Starters: L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie
Backups: Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Nic Jones
Injured reserve: Nazeeh Johnson
Players to watch: Ekow Boye-Doe
In the mix: Dicaprio Bootle, Kahlef Hailassie, Lamar Jackson, Reese Taylor and Anthony Witherstone
Johnson’s season-ending ACL tear dealt a blow to the depth at cornerback but it also took some of the competition out of this group. Sneed’s knee inflammation remains a concern but the Chiefs hope he will be ready to go by Week 1. The competition remains open for the No. 3 cornerback role but give Williams the slight edge for now. Jones has opened up a considerable lead for the final roster spot here but don’t rule out Boye-Doe and Bootle. The 6-foot, 177-pound Boye-Doe needs to show during the preseason his frame can withstand the rigors of playing both defense and special teams at this level. Bootle is an experienced defender with inside and outside flexibility should injuries further plague this position.
Safeties (5)
Starters: Justin Reid and Bryan Cook
Backups: Mike Edwards, Chamarri Conner and Deon Bush
Player to watch: Anthony Cook
In the mix: Isaiah Norman
Safety could emerge as one of the biggest strengths of this defense. Reid is significantly more comfortable in this scheme entering year two and Bryan Cook is on an upward trajectory. Edwards brings strength as a dime safety, and Conner and Bush both have strong special teams value. Conner may also be ready to play defensively this season, and he should get plenty of looks in the preseason. The final roster decision may very well come down to keeping a fourth tight end or a fifth safety. Bush has $350,000 in guaranteed money as part of his one-year, $1.165 million contract while Bell has no guaranteed money.
Specialists (3)
Starters: K Harrison Butker, P Tommy Townsend and LS James Winchester
Butker appears back at full strength from the sprained ankle he suffered last season. Townsend sprained his own ankle last week but appears no worse for wear. When healthy this is among the most reliable trio of specialists in the league.
Final Thoughts from Veach
No doubt the defending Super Bowl champions are loaded for a campaign to run it back but the three preseason games over the next 17 days will be a long way toward putting the final pieces in place.
“On one hand, we have, you know, an experienced team, we have good talent on this team, but no different than any year, there’ll be some questions that we’ll have,” Veach said. “And the cool part about this phase of the camp is we like – and I think we do a great job of – we like to put it in their hands. And so go out there and earn a position.”
