Competition is everything for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Over the next few months, veterans and rookies will be sharpening their skills in a quest for spots on the 53-man roster.
There are some players that could find themselves on the roster bubble, while there are others who are in a more comfortable position. Here’s a look at five players who could avoid the roster bubble and why they’re likely to be with the Chiefs come Week 1:
LB Reggie Ragland
Ragland was acquired by the Chiefs in trade from the Bills, because the Bills felt he was not a fit for their 4-3 defense. Ragland played well in the Chiefs 3-4 defense when he first arrived in 2017, but the 2018 season was a struggle for the entire Chiefs linebacker group.
Now, Ragland has found himself in a situation where he’ll be asked to play middle linebacker in a 4-3. Many — myself included — felt this would give the Chiefs a reason to search for an alternative to Ragland. That doesn’t appear to be the case. Ragland has been a starter in the Chiefs’ base defense throughout OTAs and minicamp, alongside Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson.
There’s no one currently on the roster primed to make a run at Ragland’s spot in 2019. Perhaps the Chiefs are hoping that a contract year will prompt a great season from Ragland.
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WR Demarcus Robinson
There have been a ton of people down on Robinson for a handful of reasons.
His most productive season came in 2018 and he was unable to eclipse 300 yards receiving. Never mind the fact that he had to compete with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins and Chris Conley for touches.
He’s received grief for his failure to beat out other Chiefs receivers on the depth chart. There’s always a hierarchy in Reid’s offense when it comes to receivers and the impact they make right away. Guys have to prove themselves in multiple ways, be it special teams and blocking before they get opportunities to be featured.
This is a contract season for Robinson and even if his future is not with the Chiefs it makes sense to have him on the team. He has some of the best chemistry with Patrick Mahomes of any receiver on the roster, especially on plays where Mahomes improvises. Go back and look at some moments between Mahomes and Robinson from the 2017 preseason. You’ll quickly understand why Robinson is a guy that needs to be on this team in 2019.
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CB Charvarius Ward
Usually an undrafted free agent going into his second season wouldn’t be a sure thing to make the roster. Ward, however, is a player that was blossoming toward the end of last season.
He had a highly productive stretch, especially in the playoffs. He had 11 total tackles and four passes defended during those two games. Had Dee Ford lined up properly, Ward would have caught an interception that potentially sealed the AFC championship game for the Chiefs.
His play warranted the opportunity for a look as a starter on defense. Thus far he’s been part of the starting trio along with Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland. It appears the Chiefs will give Ward every opportunity to win that job.
Historically, patience has been thin with young corners in Kansas City. Players like Marcus Cooper and Terrance Mitchell were all standing right in Ward’s shoes at one time. Their time with the Chiefs was brief after they failed to live up to expectations.
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LB/DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
Kpassagnon is the only remaining player on the roster from the Chiefs’ 2017 draft class that isn’t named Patrick Mahomes.
Even though Kpassagnon is still currently playing for the Chiefs his tenure has been a disappointing one, perhaps more disappointing than those who’ve already departed. It’s certainly not something that Kpassagnon can hang his hat on as a reason that he wouldn’t find himself on the roster bubble.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has taken an interest in Kpassagnon and his development. He see’s a physical skill set that you can’t teach, and a player that is ripe for molding.
During OTAs and minicamp he’s been lining Kpassagnon up on the defensive interior, where he can best use his length and physical tools. Bob Sutton was confined by a rigid scheme, but Spagnuolo seems to be unafraid to put Kpassagnon in the best position to make an impact.
Don’t be surprised to see Kpassagnon carve out a more significant role for himself in the defensive line rotation under this new regime of defensive coaches.
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TE Deon Yelder
Yelder is a player that the Chiefs showed a lot of interest in during the pre-draft process in 2018. He came to Arrowhead Stadium for a top-30 visit, but ultimately he ended up joining the Saints as an undrafted free agent. That didn’t last and he ended up on the Chiefs in 2018.
The Chiefs signed him to the practice squad in early October, but in a few weeks time they’d already called him up to the active roster. He didn’t see much action last season, but now that the Chiefs no longer have Demetrius Harris, the No. 2 tight end spot appears to be his job to lose.
Here’s what Andy Reid said about him at the conclusion of minicamp:
“I would have liked (Deon) Yelder not to have been hurt, but he was. I think he’s a good young prospect. He wanted to be out there more than anybody, but he strained his hamstring. It will be good to get him out and see what he can do here. We had him a little bit last season and we kind of liked what we saw there…”
Yelder is expected to make a return for training camp. The key is that he needs to remain healthy throughout the entirety of training camp, which is easier said than done. He’ll get the benefit of the doubt for now.
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Notable omission: OG Kahlil McKenzie
The Chiefs gave Kahlil McKenzie a full redshirt season in 2019.
He was on the 53-man roster for all 16 games, yet active for none. Even when the Chiefs had injuries to their interior offensive line, they sought help from other players and let McKenzie watch and learn.
McKenzie needs to show commensurate growth in 2019 before I’m willing to call him a lock for the 53-man roster. If the Chiefs have an injury he needs to be a guy that can step up and fill in along the offensive interior.
It doesn’t help that the Chiefs set expectations for McKenzie’s growth after hyping up his development on their documentary series, “The Franchise.” McKenzie spent the entire 2019 offseason training with Chiefs and NFL Hall of Fame OG Will Shields.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, they need a player who can make an impact right now. I’m not certain that Veach is ready to give up on McKenzie just yet, but preparedness might force his hand.
