The NFL is expected to adopt a smaller offseason roster in the coming days. Typically, teams carry 90 players during the offseason, but rosters could be limited to 80 players or less for training camp in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The NFL and NFLPA recently agreed to cancel the 2020 NFL preseason. That already creates a huge difficulty for new players on the roster because they won’t have an opportunity to put some work on tape. Now, some players might not even get an opportunity to prove themselves during training camp.
Training camp is set to officially kickoff for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, with strength and conditioning beginning for rookies. That means the Chiefs could be forced to make some decisions soon.
Here are 10 guesses at who could be among the first players to go if the offseason roster size shrinks in Kansas City and around the league:
RB Elijah McGuire
McGuire joined the Chiefs’ practice squad in November of the 2019 season when the team was dealing with some ticky-tacky injuries at the running back position. He’d stick with the team through Super Bowl LIV and would eventually sign a reserve/future deal with the team to return in 2020.
There is already a logjam of running backs in Kansas City. McGuire is a talented running back, that fits what the Chiefs like to do in the receiving game. It’s still hard to find any situation where McGuire makes the 53-man roster. He’s not even a lock to make the practice squad. If the Chiefs have to start trimming their 90-man roster ahead of camp, McGuire will be one of the players who has to go.
CB Hakeem Bailey
Bailey was one of three undrafted free agent cornerbacks The Chiefs added following the 2020 NFL Draft. He only started 21 games during his collegiate career and even though he’s an intriguing athlete, he doesn’t have elite production in those three seasons at West Virginia.
The other two cornerbacks the Chiefs signed are simply higher-profile players to Bailey. Michigan CB Lavert Hill got paid big guaranteed money by Kansas City and Javaris Davis was consistently productive during his career for the Auburn Tigers. They also both have the versatility to line up on the inside or the outside, whereas Bailey seems a better fit on the outside.
OG Ryan Hunter
Hunter made his NFL debut last season against the Indianapolis Colts and it went about as poorly as it possibly could have. According to Pro Football Focus, on 14 total snaps, Hunter recorded a 0.0 pass-blocking grade. He allowed instant pressure on QB Patrick Mahomes and failed to even get a hand on a defender during the game.
Hunter was ultimately waived from the 53-man roster as a result and would return to the practice squad. He was re-signed on a reserve/future deal following Super Bowl LIV. Yes, Hunter knows the Chiefs’ system, but they might want to cut their losses here and add a fresh face from the group of undrafted free agents.
DT Braxton Hoyett
Back in October of 2019, the Chiefs signed Hoyett to their practice squad. He previously had spent time with the Tennessee Titans but didn’t make it through 53-man roster cuts. He’d stick on the practice squad in Kansas City through Super Bowl LIV and he’d sign a reserve/future deal to return to the team in 2020.
The Chiefs are set to carry three big-bodied run-stuffing defensive tackles on the roster in Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel and Khalen Saunders. It’s hard to believe that they’ll keep another similar type of player around if they’re forced to trim down their rosters. Devaroe Lawrence and Tershawn Wharton both can defend the run and offer more upside as pass rushers.
P Tyler Newsome
Everything that we’ve heard about the so-called punting training camp competition makes it seem as though it’s not a competition at all. Dave Toub has flat out said that Tommy Townsend is more refined compared to Newsome. He also said that Townsend was his top-ranked punter in the 2020 draft class.
If the Chiefs cut down the 90-man roster size, they might just go ahead and make the decision before any sort of competition takes place. Keep in mind that the punters have been working out and taping their work for Toub to view. He’ll have a good idea of the winner of this competition already.
WR Andre Baccellia
Baccellia signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. Of all the undrafted free agent receivers to part with, Baccellia feels like the one who is least polished and ready to play. He doesn’t have experience as a return specialist in college and he wasn’t particularly productive for the Washington Huskies.
Another issue is that he’s fairly undersized for the NFL game, listed at 175 pounds. He could certainly use some time in an NFL weight program. You’re not going to get the same type of offseason training in the COVID-19 era and because of that, it might be best to part with a player like Baccellia.
DE Tim Ward
Ward joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He didn’t play at all during the 2019 season and the Chiefs didn’t expect him to as he was recovering from a knee injury. He should be healthy and ready to go for the 2020 NFL season.
Ward might simply fall victim to the numbers game. The fact that he hasn’t been able to showcase his ability on the practice field since he entered the league is problematic. The Chiefs could have recency bias with some of the players they picked up in free agency and following the 2020 NFL Draft. The choice could come down to keeping a player like Demone Harris or Taco Charlton over Ward.
DB Jalen Julius
Julius signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss following the 2020 NFL Draft. A cornerback who converted to safety in his final year, Julius didn’t produce all that well at the college level. He failed to record an interception with the Rebels, no matter what position he played.
Julius showed a lot of promise as a senior at Ole Miss, but he’s far from a finished product. The Chiefs are going to need ready-made players if they’re faced with a reduced roster. Julius might end up being one of the players released early.
WR Cody White
White also joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. The thing that is intriguing about White is that he’s not the prototypical Chiefs receiver. He didn’t run a fast 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He’s bigger than most of the receivers on the roster. His skill set is really entirely different from what they’re typically looking for.
What makes him stand out is also the thing that puts him most at risk if roster sizes shrink. The fact that he isn’t necessarily like any of the other receivers the Chiefs has could put a target on his back come cut downs. The team could decide to go with someone who could more easily replicate the game of a player like Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman.
