Chiefs Roster: Kansas Metropolis’s 53-man roster projection 2.0

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs returned to follow in St. Joseph on Monday after 16 full-team exercises. They are going to return to the follow subject on Tuesday (full schedule right here) and wrap up camp on Thursday.

The one — and just one — roster reduce occurs on August 27 this yr.

As at all times, my projections are based mostly upon issues I’ve seen, heard and hypothesized (Return and browse 1.0 right here). Let’s dive in:

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2): Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz

NO CHANGE.

The one method this room may probably shift can be on account of an damage, upon which Chris Oladokun can be the subsequent man up. I think about the Chiefs like Oladokun for the follow squad, the place he can serve the crew as a gameday emergency quarterback after the rule change this offseason.

Operating backs (3): Isiah Pacheco, Deneric Prince, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

NO CHANGE.

I feel Deneric Prince has taken a step ahead from final yr, when he was unnoticed on the 53-man roster cutdown. It means one thing that he has been the again with the second contact with the primary crew for many of coaching camp, however it’s value noting that belonged to Clyde Edwards-Helaire within the first preseason sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars. Given the preseason efficiency of Carson Steele (who I’ll write about subsequent), I’m wondering if Prince or Edwards-Helaire might be squeezed out for a tenth offensive lineman.

Sorry once more, people. I don’t have Louis Rees-Zammit making the roster at this stage. Rees-Zammit’s best-case state of affairs is remaining on the follow squad in Kansas Metropolis and specializing in cracking the 2025 roster after a full yr of teaching.

Fullback (1): Carson Steele

IN: Carson Steele

Andy Reid will get that outdated factor again by maintaining Carson Steele on the 53-man roster as his fullback, however I might anticipate extra from Steele than simply these duties. Reid has spoken a few occasions about how he values Steele as a runner, and that was on show within the preseason. It’s an odd time, as I presently have higher confidence Steele makes this roster than Prince or Edwards-Helaire.

Huge receivers (7): Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross

IN: Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross

OUT: Kararius Toney, Nikko Remigio

As talked about in our first projection, Reid and basic supervisor Brett Veach broke a long-standing pattern in 2023’s preliminary 53-man roster, maintaining an unprecedented seven huge receivers on the crew. Based mostly on what I’ve seen in coaching camp, I proceed to consider they’ll do it once more.

That stated, this room has a shakeup from projection 1.0 to 2.0.

The highest 4 names on this room stay locks for the roster. The problem is choosing out the gamers for the remainder of the room.

Hardman’s familiarity with the offensive scheme and talent to return punts is crucial, particularly now with Hollywood Brown’s Week 1 standing unsure. If Brown is down for the primary few video games, would Kansas Metropolis really need Xavier Worthy returning punts? Hardman can be the subsequent man up there, and I feel he gives an excessive amount of worth for the Chiefs to maneuver on.

My maintaining of Skyy Moore has extra to do with the rotation we’ve witnessed in camp than anybody follow rep or preseason preseason spotlight. At this writing, Moore continues to combine with the primary crew, and I consider much less that Kansas Metropolis would transfer on from a second-round part. Seen via the lens of a fifth or sixth receiver over a second-round choose, Moore is an effective possibility who made crticial performs in the course of the crew’s 2022 title run.

In Justyn Ross, I see a participant who presents a prototype totally different than what’s provided among the many different bubble receivers by way of dimension and athletic skill at that dimension. In a world the place Kadarius Toney’s well being might be assured, maybe the dialog on him is totally different — however I assumed his placement on the crew’s unofficial depth chart was quite telling.

Remigio is a superb story, and I really feel he must do one thing particular on a preseason kickoff to power the Chiefs’ hand. It’s a crowded huge receiver room, and I feel a spot on the follow squad is sensible as the subsequent man up.

Tight ends (3): Travis Kelce, Noah Grey, Jared Wiley

OUT: Irv Smith Jr.

If you’re working via a 53-man projection, the fact is that typically gamers at a sure place will affect one other. On this case, maintaining Steele pushes Irv Smith Jr. off the roster. Rookie Jared Wiley has been spectacular all through coaching camp, and I anticipate his function to develop because the season strikes alongside.

Offensive line (9): LT Kingsley Suamataia, LG Joe Thuney, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor, Wanya Morris, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, Lucas Niang

IN: Lucas Niang

OUT: “Chu” Godrick

In our first projection, I famous that I wasn’t satisfied Wanya Morris would win the beginning left sort out job. I used to be proper in that intestine feeling. Ever because the pads got here on, rookie Kingsley Suamataia has been the person at left sort out — and the truth that he exited the primary preseason sport with the starters after six performs speaks volumes about his standing.

Morris initiatives because the swing sort out for Reid’s offense. Alongside the inside, Mike Caliendo appears to be like to be the selection to take over Nick Allegretti’s function. I see rookie Hunter Nourzad being the selection for backup heart.

This place noticed a minor swap, as I changed “Chu” Godrick with Lucas Niang, who is commonly among the many linemen in for particular groups. I like Godrick and seventh-rounder CJ Hanson to stay round on the follow squad as they proceed their improvement.

Protection (25)

Defensive tackles (5): Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, Neil Farrell

IN: Neil Farrell

OUT: Matt Dickerson

There’s little query concerning the first 4 names on this record — and it’s been fascinating to look at Mike Pennel bounce his method across the league solely to search out himself again as an influence rotational participant for Kansas Metropolis.

The Chiefs acquired Neil Farrell through commerce final August, and he made the 2023 preliminary 53-man roster. Sadly, he did not take the sector a lot, seeing solely 41 defensive snaps all yr. In Farrell’s work with the second crew and on particular groups this camp, he has proven sufficient to make me consider he’ll spherical out the room. Matt Dickerson stays a participant to look at, particularly with performs like this on tape.

Defensive ends (5): George Karlaftis, Michael Danna, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Malik Herring, Truman Jones

NO CHANGE.

I haven’t seen something to vary the gamers on this room from our first projection. The primary 4 gamers listed are certain bets, and Truman Jones may present worth on particular groups. With 10 gamers listed between these two line of defense positions, Charles Omenihu’s mid-year return shall be one thing to look at.

Linebackers (5): Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, Drue Tranquill, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones

NO CHANGE.

With Nick Bolton injured once more, Jack Cochrane has acquired excessive reward for his work as a commander on the second stage of the protection. Cochrane (336) and Cam Jones (283) have been among the many prime 5 gamers in particular groups snaps final season.

I may see Cole Christensen or Curtis Jacobs pushing the teaching employees into some fascinating conversations, however I nonetheless landed right here.

Cornerbacks (6): Trent McDuffie, Nazeeh Johnson, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nic Jones, Kelvin Joseph

NO CHANGE.

The highest 5 gamers on this room are certainties. I’m nonetheless giving the ultimate spot to former 2021 second-rounder Kelvin Joseph, who had been working with the second crew earlier than he injured his hamstring. Joseph returned to follow on Monday.

I nonetheless like Kamal Hadden and Ekow Boye-Doe for the follow squad. A reduce wouldn’t be a loss of life sentence for Hadden. Keep in mind, the Chiefs initially reduce Nazeeh Johnson, who I might undertaking as a prime exterior cornerback ought to he discover constant well being earlier than Week 1.

Safeties (4): Justin Reid, Bryan Cook dinner, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks

NO CHANGE.

Chamarri Conner performs lots of totally different roles for the Chiefs, together with being Steve Spagnuolo’s alternative for beginning nickel. Followers had their first alternative to see Jaden Hicks towards the Jaguars within the preseason — and also you now see why it is going to be extraordinarily robust to maintain him off the sector.

Specialists (3)

Placekicker Harrison Butker, punter Matt Araiza and long-snapper James Winchester

There is no such thing as a competitors for any of the specialists in camp.

Underneath contract, not counted on lively roster (2)

Reserve/PUP: Charles Omenihu

Reserve/NFI: BJ Thompson

Chiefs place portions on the 53-man cutdown since 2013

Right here’s a take a look at Chiefs place portions all through the years since Andy Reid took over the Chiefs in 2013:

*Eric Berry had a roster exemption on the 53-man roster cutdown in 2016 and was included in most cutdown listings.