Final Chiefs 53-man roster projection: One or two unknowns remain
One last look at who’s in, who’s out, and who’s on the bubble.
Projecting a 53-man roster can be a fool's errand. All 32 rosters will go from 90 to 53 by noon Arrowhead time tomorrow. That is a whole lot of roster shuffling affecting every franchise.
Some of that movement has already altered the Chiefs' roster construction after trading away wide receiver Skyy Moore and trading for an old friend, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi.
There have also been rumors that Kansas City is sniffing around the running back market and they still have trade candidates themselves, such as cornerback Joshua Williams.
I am sure that Brett Veach and company have most or all of these spots written in Sharpie as they ask nearly 40 players to turn in their playbook over the next 24 hours.
One thing also to note is that the NFL recently voted in a rule change that allows teams to designate two players to return from IR, as long as they were given that designation on cutdown day. They can then return after four games.
Seven Chiefs players, including Jalen Royals, Jake Briningstool, Ethan Driskell, Jack Cochrane, Mike Edwards, Nazeeh Johnson, and Omarr Norman-Lott, did not play in the preseason game against the Bears due to injuries. That is something to keep in mind on Tuesday.
Understanding that these things are very fluid, here is my 53-man roster projection based on reports out of training camp, observing what happened at Arrowhead Friday night and speaking with our lead reporter, Herbie Teope.
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Quarterback (2)
In: Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew
Practice squad candidates: Chris Oladokun
Notable cuts: Bailey Zappe
This one is chalk as it gets. A few years ago, when they started allowing a practice squad quarterback to dress on gameday, a two-quarterback roster made the most sense for a team that has Patrick Mahomes. Minshew looks to be a fine backup if Kansas City needs him in a pinch and Oladokun is a perfect scout-team look for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
Running back (3)
In: Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith
Practice squad candidates: Carson Steele
Notable cuts: Elijah Mitchell
Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are the clear-cut one-two punch. Brashard Smith is set to make the team after getting plenty of run with Mahomes in the final preseason game. He opened the game with a drop, but recovered with a nice catch on an angle route to get the offense in the red zone. He will also take on some kick return duties. Veach may add here due to Smith’s inexperience as a traditional running back after beginning his collegiate career as a wide receiver. Carson Steele is a prime practice squad candidate after not checking into the Bears game last Friday until deep into the second half. Elijah Mitchell simply does not seem to have the juice he once had.
Wide receiver (7)
In: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton and Nikko Remigio
Practice squad candidates: Jason Brownlee, Jimmy Holiday and Elijah Badger
The biggest riser here is Tyquan Thornton. Snap count-wise, he may end up being more like a wide receiver four than he is six. The X receiver does some downfield things no one else on this roster can. Nikko Remigio has been on the bubble every year of his career, but he will make it as “Dave Toub’s Guy.” He returned most of the kicks before the starters exited the final preseason exhibition. Jason Brownlee flashed with his big-body radius, but the numbers game will leave Veach hoping he can stash him on the practice squad.
Tight end (4)
In: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Robert Tonyan and Jared Wiley
Practice squad candidates: Tre Watson
IR designated to return candidate: Jake Briningstool
If Thornton was the biggest riser, Robert Tonyan was not too far behind him. Tonyan is now the best blocking tight end on the roster, which will earn him immediate playing time. He has more than earned trust in the receiving game, too. Jared Wiley, a 2024 fourth-rounder, is too good a prospect to cut in a second season, especially in one that he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last November. Briningstool could benefit from the NFL’s new rule that you can designate up to two players to return on roster cutdown day. He recently returned to practice after a lengthy recovery from a hamstring injury.
Offensive line (9)
In: Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Jaylon Moore, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad and Wanya Morris
Practice squad candidates: Esa Pole, C.J. Hanson, Chukwuebuka Godrick and Dalton Cooper
Non-football injury/illness list candidate: Ethan Driskell
The Chiefs have rostered more offensive than defensive players on more than one occasion and Esa Pole could compel them to do that again. Like Ethan Driskell last year, Pole could be that developmental tackle stashed on the roster this season. He flashed a lot of talent in the second half of these preseason games as a raw player with a basketball background. It will come down to Veach’s comfort level getting him back after waivers versus some of the other players on his roster. Look for Veach to try and sneak 2024 seventh-rounder C.J. Hanson on the practice squad as well.
Defensive line (9)
In: George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu, Ashton Gillote, Omarr Norman-Lott, Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi.
Practice squad candidates: Malik Herring, Marlon Tuipulotu and Fabien Lovett
Injured reserve (out for season): Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Janarius Robinson
Before the Nnadi addition, Malik Herring was clearly making the roster in place for Felix Anudike-Uzomah. He may still be able to, but they have been able to keep him off the roster before without getting claimed. You will see that I predicted safety Mike Edwards to make it as a fifth safety, which is also a spot I could see Herring replacing. It was noteworthy that Jerry Tillery took some nose tackle reps against the Bears with Omarr Norman-Lott recovering from an ankle injury. The defensive line rotation will be one of the more interesting developments to take place in São Paulo against the Chargers.
Linebacker (6)
In: Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jeffrey Bassa, Cam Jones and Cooper McDonald
Practice squad candidates: Cole Christiansen and Brandon George
IR designated to return candidate: Jack Cochrane
Bone bruises tend to linger and Cooper McDonald flashed big time this preseason, resulting in a late camp prediction change here. Cochrane had his 2024 cut short due to injury, making this a tough decision. McDonald totalled 11 tackles, a sack, two pressures and was the Chiefs' second-highest graded linebacker, according to PFF this preseason. Toub loves carrying six linebackers, so I do not see that changing this season.
Cornerback (5)
In: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams and Nazeeh Johnson
Practice squad candidates: Kevin Knowles and Melvin Smith Jr.
Notable cuts (or trade candidates): Joshua Williams
With safeties Chamarri Conner and Chris Roland-Wallace’s versatility, this is really like carrying seven cornerbacks. Joshua Williams' lack of versatility puts the two-time Super Bowl champ in real peril of making the roster. Kevin Knowles, who blocked a field goal against the Bears and has drawn praise from Spagnuolo, is primed for a practice squad spot.
Safety (5)
In: Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Chris Roland-Wallace and Mike Edwards
Practice squad candidates: Major Williams
Injured reserve (out for season): Deon Bush
There is an off-chance the Chiefs decide to release Edwards in hopes of coming to a practice squad agreement here. He is a veteran, so he is not subject to waivers. Every safety in this room will see playing time on a rotating basis before Spagnuolo figures out how to utilize them best. This defense loves three-safety looks, but time will tell who earns the deep safety and box safety roles.
Special Teams (3)
In: Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza and James Wenchester
Practice squad candidates: None
This group is as certain as the quarterback room. The Chiefs have nothing to stress about here.
OUTLOOK
If the Chiefs feel the need to add at running back, block prospects like Esa Pole or C.J. Hanson, or retain a key cog like Malik Herring, it will likely come at the expense of Cam Jones, McDonald or Edwards.
I do not foresee giving up on prospects like Brashard Smith or Jared Wiley to make any such moves.
A lot can happen between now and tomorrow, but the Chiefs have a pretty deep roster heading into 2025.