Chiefs Roster: Kansas Metropolis’s 53-man roster projection 3.0

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have concluded their preseason, and basic supervisor Brett Veach will now flip his consideration to trimming the roster right down to 53 gamers. That preliminary roster is due on August 27 at 3 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

My projections are primarily based upon issues I’ve seen, heard and hypothesized (Return and browse 2.0 right here). Let’s dive in yet one more time:

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (2): Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz

NO CHANGE.

Wire to wire, there was by no means a query in regards to the quarterbacks.

Working backs (2): Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

OUT: Deneric Prince

The surprising emergence of Carson Steele from undrafted free agent hopeful to roster lock makes one in all these operating backs expendable in order that the Chiefs can tackle different positions.

Based mostly upon Clyde Edwards-Helaire sitting for the third and last preseason sport, the odd man out seems to be to be Deneric Prince. Prince confirmed enchancment this coaching camp, and he bumped into an unlucky numbers sport now that Kansas Metropolis will undoubtedly maintain Steele. My guess is that Prince stays with the Chiefs on the observe squad, prepared for the next-man-up name ought to an harm strike.

Like Prince, Louis Rees-Zammit will in all probability stick with the membership on the observe squad, and the Chiefs can see what they’ve in 2025. Head coach Andy Reid is aware of Rees-Zammit is a world-class athlete, however he wants a yr of seasoning to compete for a roster spot.

Fullback (1): Carson Steele

NO CHANGE.

See above for notes on Steele. Halfway by August, he informed reporters he wished to be the “Swiss Military knife” for the Chiefs. It seems he’ll get his want.

Broad receivers (7): Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman, Kadarius Toney

IN: Kadarius Toney

OUT: Justyn Ross

As we’ve mentioned for the reason that starting of the preseason, the highest 4 names listed below are locks for the roster. The remainder of the place leaves room for debate.

Skyy Moore performed three complete snaps on Thursday evening towards the Bears, damaged down by one on offense and two on particular groups. It might be unpopular amongst followers, however this means he has made the 2024 roster.

Mecole Hardman, Justyn Ross and Kadarius Toney have been the alternatives to play with Chris Oladokun; Nikko Remigio solely noticed one snap within the first half. Hardman is on the staff, and he’ll deal with kickoffs (with Steele) and punts.

If the Chiefs maintain a seventh receiver (which I anticipate they are going to because of the harm to Brown), I feel it comes right down to Ross or Toney.

“We went by final yr with him, so we sort of know who he’s,” mentioned Reid of Toney after the sport on Thursday evening. “He’s a proficient child. He’s battled to make the staff and all that bit. We’ve by no means questioned the expertise there in any respect, it’s simply him staying wholesome was the principle factor.”

It nonetheless seems like one thing that would go both means, however Toney’s well being appears to be there (no less than proper now) — and Reid values his upside. I additionally assume tight finish Jared Wiley’s presence on the roster might harm a would-be position for Ross, who I think about the Chiefs would attempt to get again on the observe squad with Remigio.

Tight ends (4): Travis Kelce, Noah Grey, Jared Wiley, Irv Smith Jr.

IN: Irv Smith Jr.

I’ve gone backwards and forwards on Smith all through these projections. On this last iteration, I’ve determined to incorporate him. Excluding Prince opened up a roster spot — one which I feel might go to Smith, because it permits Reid to get artistic with 4 tight ends on the sphere concurrently.

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

NO CHANGE.

I feel the offensive line room is ready, and as I discussed in projection 2.0, I like “Chu” Godrick and seventh-rounder CJ Hanson to proceed to develop on the observe squad.

Protection (25)

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

NO CHANGE.

I’ve seen some 53-man projections exhibiting the Chiefs saying goodbye to Nnadi, however Reid went out of his option to praise his play after Thursday’s sport. The sixth-year run-stuffer is probably going OK for the preliminary roster.

The ultimate spot right here presumably comes right down to Matt Dickerson and Neil Farrell, and I’m nonetheless giving the sting to Farrell.

On condition that Charles Omenihu will finally return — and defensive position coach Joe Cullen pushes all his linemen towards inside-outside versatility — I do marvel if the Chiefs might maintain somebody equivalent to Fabien Lovett over a fifth defensive finish.

Reid at all times talks in regards to the “5 greatest” when it comes to the beginning offensive line. Maybe that is the yr the Chiefs merely maintain the ten greatest alongside the defensive position.

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

NO CHANGE.

I nonetheless imagine the primary 4 gamers listed below are strong. Truman Jones didn’t play Thursday evening, however that probably needed to do extra with a knee harm that saved him out of Monday’s observe than roster security.

I saved him in our last projection, however see the above for my concern. This may very well be the place the place Veach seeks outdoors assist.

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

NO CHANGE.

This is without doubt one of the place teams I really feel comparatively assured about.

The highest three gamers are apparent, and Cochrane (336) and Cam Jones (283) have been among the many high 5 gamers in particular groups snaps final season. I like Cole Christensen, Curtis Jacobs and Swayze Bozeman as candidates for the observe squad.

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

IN: Chamarri Conner

OUT: Nic Jones

Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams are each at present banged up with hamstring points, so word that this projection has been constructed assuming they get wholesome over the following two weeks heading into opening evening. If the accidents linger, the form of this room might change.

Kansas Metropolis wanted to get Jaylen Watson some snaps on Thursday evening, and I assumed the truth that he initially labored throughout from Kelvin Joseph (and never Keith Taylor, Nic Jones or Kamal Hadden) might need been telling.

Chamarri Conner seems to be the starter at nickel, with Trent McDuffie persevering with to combine in there for explicit seems to be. We listed Conner as a cornerback right here as a result of that’s what the Chiefs are doing. Kansas Metropolis likes Jones and Hadden as the following males up for the slot, and I feel each stick round on the observe squad ought to they go unclaimed.

Safeties (4): Justin Reid, Bryan Cook dinner, Jaden Hicks, Deon Bush

NO CHANGE.

Conner’s place swap (on paper) opens up the door for the Chiefs to maintain Deon Bush, who can play on all 4 phases of particular groups along with his backup security duties. If Carson Steele received the preseason on offense, his counterpart could be Jaden Hicks on protection.

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 energetic 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.