KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Over the course of the next three days, the Chiefs must reduce their roster from 91 players down to 53, and there won’t be many easy decisions for general manager Brett Veach and his staff.
The process starts in earnest Sunday morning, head coach Andy Reid explained, when his coaching staff performs their grading of Saturday’s 33-32 win over the Cleveland Browns and submits their final evaluations to Veach’s personnel department.
“And then Brett will shake it all up and come out with the best group that we think can help us here,” Reid said. “It’s always — this is the toughest day, that’s when you have to make the cuts because these guys have busted their tail through all the OTAs and then through the training camp, so then you got — they all can’t be here, unfortunately.”
Saturday’s game answered some questions — and perhaps even posed others — as the Chiefs move toward building their initial roster of the 2023 campaign. Here’s my projection for how the squad may look at Tuesday’s roster deadline at 3 p.m. central time.
Quarterbacks (3)
Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backups: Blaine Gabbert and Shane Buechele
Practice squad candidate: Chris Oladokun
The Chiefs have carried three quarterbacks since November 2021 when they promoted Buechele to the active roster to protect him from being signed away by another club. The new emergency quarterback rules incentive carrying three quarterbacks on the 53-player roster, but Reid didn’t tip his after Saturday’s game on which tack the team will take.
“We’ll see how that works out for us,” Reid said when asked about keeping three quarterbacks. “You still have to count the numbers on it but we’ll see how that goes. I think it’s a good rule. It’s a good rule to have but we’ll see how we utilize it.”
Buechele got his opportunity to run as the No. 2 quarterback during the past week with mixed results. He followed up his 10-of-10 passing performance last week against Arizona with a more middling outing against Cleveland, completing 8-of-17 passing for 89 yards and a touchdown along with two interceptions.
Meanwhile, Gabbert delivered another nearly flawless performance, finishing 7-of-9 passing for 66 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland. The numbers and experience favor Gabbert, but all three should make the 53-player squad.
Running Backs (4)
Starter: Isiah Pacheco
Backups: Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La’Mical Perine
Practice squad candidates: Jerrion Ealy and Deneric Prince
In the mix:
Pacheco received all of one carry during the preseason, underscoring his lack of usage during the offseason and training camp while recovering from shoulder and hand surgeries. Taking into consideration Edwards-Helaire’s injury history and McKinnon’s age (31), it’s prudent for the Chiefs to carry a fourth running back.
It took some time for Perine to receive his opportunity, but once he did he seized the moment. Perine finished the preseason with 97 yards rushing, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and also caught four passes for 50 yards and a score.
Wide Receivers (7)
Starters: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Sky Moore
Backups: Justin Watson, Rashee Rice, Richie James and Justyn Ross
Practice squad candidates: Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Cornell Powell
In the mix: Ty Fryfogle, Ty Scott and Juwan Green
Injured reserve: Nikko Remigio
The big question starting training camp was whether the Chiefs could keep seven receivers, and in the end eight receivers made a compelling case to make the roster.
Indeed, it was Smith-Marsette who shone brightest, finishing the preseason No. 2 in the NFL with 195 yards receiving, and he was one of nine receivers (along with Ross) who tied for the lead with two touchdown receptions. But it’s hard to find a place for him on the roster.
Valdes-Scantling, Toney and Moore are the starters when healthy. Watson is the team’s best complementary receiver, and his mostly guaranteed contract virtually ensures a roster spot. Second-round pick Rice isn’t going anywhere, and James has won the team’s kick and punt return roles. If it comes down to a decision between Ross and Smith-Marsette, the edge goes to Ross and his huge upside.
Smith-Marsette will likely attract interest on the waiver wire if not on the trade market as well, so the chances of him returning to Kansas City’s practice squad appear slim.
Tight Ends (2)
Starter: Travis Kelce
Backups: Noah Gray
Re-sign Wednesday: Blake Bell
Practice squad candidates: Matt Bushman
In the mix: Kendall Blanton and Izaiah Gathings
Injured reserve: Jody Fortson
Don’t let the two tight ends fool you; the Chiefs will start the season with at least three tight ends. But the club will likely need roster space to transfer a player onto injured reserve (cornerback Nic Jones is a likely candidate). Bell has the veteran status and contract that makes him easy to cut on Tuesday and re-sign Wednesday. As a veteran with more than four years of experience, Bell doesn’t have to clear waivers. He becomes a free agent immediately who can sign with any team, but the Chiefs have released such veterans in the past with a handshake agreement to bring them back the next day.
There’s still a compelling case to keep Bushman on the 53-player roster but expect him to land on the team’s practice squad.
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 Prince Tega Wanogho, G/T Darian Kinnard and OT Wanya Morris
Practice squad candidates: OT Lucas Niang C Austin Reiter, G/C Mike Caliendo and T/G Chukwuebuka (Jason) Godrick
In the mix: G Jerome Carvin, G/T Sebastian Gutierrez and C Anderson Hardy
The starting offensive line is seat but it’s the backup situations where much remains undecided. Allegretti is the No. 1 backup for both center and guard, but a shoulder injury kept him out of Saturday’s game. Reiter and Caliendo both play center, and the Chiefs have also worked both at guard to increase their versatility. If Allegretti is expected to miss extensive time, one of them could land on the active roster.
The biggest question, however, is how many tackles the Chiefs choose to keep. Smith and Taylor have the starting jobs secured, and rookie Morris should make the team as well as a future prospect. Can the Chiefs keep both Wanogho and Niang? It was a close battle between the two for the swing tackle. There’s a slight edge to Wanogho based on more time playing at left tackle during training camp.
But this is where the Chiefs could be looking for a trade partner. Niang and Wanogho should attract interest if the Chiefs put either one on the trade block over the next few days.
Defensive Line (10)
Starters: DE George Karlaftis, DT Tershawn Wharton, DT Derrick Nnadi and DE Mike Danna
Backups: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DT Danny Shelton, DE Malik Herring, DT Keondre Coburn, DE BJ Thompson and DE Joshua Kaindoh
Roster Exemption/Did Not Report: DT Chris Jones
Suspended list: DE Charles Omenihu
Practice squad candidates: DT Chris Williams and DT Daniel Wise
In the mix: DT Phil Hoskins, DT Matt Dickerson and DE Truman Jones
Not remains settled along the Chiefs’ defensive line, especially with Chris Jones not yet reporting to the club and Omenihu starting the season with a six-game suspension. Add Wharton returning from a torn ACL, and it’s understandable why defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive line coach Joe Cullen have yet to finalize a firm rotation in this group.
Wise, Williams, Dickerson and Hoskins all took reps with the first-team defense at one time or another but it’s Shelton who appears most ready to help the Chiefs out inside. Herring has also worked inside to improve his flexibility. It wouldn’t be a surprise if any combination of these five defensive tackles won a job on the 53.
The one draft pick with the stiffest challenge making the roster is Thompson, who played just eight snaps against Cleveland. He needs more seasoning and it wouldn’t be a stunner if the club tried to sneak him through waivers onto the practice squad.
Linebackers (5)
Starters: WLB Willie Gay, MLB Nick Bolton and SLB Leo Chenal
Backups: Drue Tranquill and Jack Cochrane
Practice squad candidates: Cam Jones and Cole Christiansen
In the mix: Olakunle Fatukasi
The linebacker group should be set with the five on the 53-player roster but it’s the backups where cutdowns and practice squad building could be problematic.
All three young linebackers suffered injuries on Saturday with Christiansen leaving with a rib injury and Jones and Fatukasi both entering the concussion protocol. The Chiefs could be forced to waive any one or perhaps all three with an injury designation. If they clear waivers, they would then return to the Chiefs on injured reserve.
Cornerbacks (5)
Starters: L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie
Backups: Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Nic Jones
Injured reserve: Nazeeh Johnson
Practice squad candidates: Ekow Boye-Doe and Kahlef Hailassie
In the mix: Dicaprio Bootle, Lamar Jackson, Reese Taylor and Duron Lowe
Cornerback is another position where injuries could influence decision-making. Jones won’t need surgery for his fractured hand but he could likely land on injured reserve with a designation to return, which means making the initial 53-player roster first.
Then there’s the matter of Sneed, who hasn’t practiced since July 28 due to a swollen knee. The Chiefs will likely keep five cornerbacks on the roster, so Boye-Doe or Hailassie could likely re-sign with the club on Wednesday if one or both clear waivers.
Safeties (5)
Starters: Justin Reid and Bryan Cook
Backups: Chamarri Conner, Mike Edwards and Deon Bush
Practice squad candidate: Anthony Cook
In the mix: Isaiah Norman
The fifth safety position is another of the final roster decisions. The Chiefs could sacrifice this position for a sixth cornerback, an additional tight end or a 10th offensive lineman. But there are strong reasons to keep five safeties. Conner has been outstanding during training camp and the preseason. Edwards has a contract with $2.48 million and Bush is one of the team’s strongest special teams players.
Specialists (3)
Starters: K Harrison Butker, P Tommy Townsend and LS James Winchester
No drama here. Butker, Townsend and Winchester combined are one of the strongest trio of specialists in the league.
