It may not seem like there is a ton of competition on the Kansas City Chiefs roster heading into 2019, but if you look hard enough you’ll find it.
Andy Reid has said that he likes every position group to be competitive and that is truly the case in Kansas City this year. There are several positions that could see some hard fought and meaningful competition among them.
In this list players who held a certain depth chart standing at their respective position last season are considered an incumbent. Players who got a bump on the depth chart due to an offseason departure could also be considered an incumbent. Those who are considered contenders are the players in direct competition for playing time.
So let’s get to it and look at the eight position battles to watch at Chiefs training camp:
FS No. 1
Incumbent: Daniel Sorensen
Contenders: Juan Thornhill, Armani Watts, Jordan Lucas
There’s a chance that we’re actually looking at a training camp battle for a starting position. There’s some debate among fans about who will start opposite Tyrann Mathieu. As recently as mandatory minicamp it had been Daniel Sorensen, and the fact that the two players are rooming together at training camp is another indication they want them building chemistry.
Some are convinced that Sorensen will be a cap casualty or could be used as trade bait, but color me among those who think he’ll be with the Chiefs in 2019.
Then there’s the new toy in Juan Thornhill. Fans are excited to see the rookie in action after some early hype from the coaching staff, yet we still have to remember he’s a rookie and could need some adjustment time to the NFL game.
Second year safety Armani Watts is coming off of injury, it’s unclear how the coaching staff currently views his role. Same goes for Jordan Lucas who came over in a trade last season, but didn’t consistently see the field in Bob Sutton’s defense until later in the season.
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one that remembers just how good Sorensen looked before the injury that landed him on IR in 2018. When he returned he was noticeably staggered, especially early on. If he’s back in good shape during this training camp, I wouldn’t be shocked if he retained his role opposite Tyrann Mathieu. They can both interchange positions fairly easily, which is useful for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
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TE No. 2
Incumbent: Deon Yelder
Contenders: John Lovett, Blake Bell, Neal Sterling
Deon Yelder joined the Chiefs late in the 2018 season. He spent a couple of weeks on the practice squad before the Chiefs elevated and stashed him on the active roster. They liked what they saw from him so much that they used a 53-man roster spot to ensure he remained with the Chiefs for the 2019 season.
Now, with veteran Demetrius Harris having departed in free agency, the opportunity is ripe for Yelder to slide into a similar role. He won’t be unchallenged, though. The Chiefs also brought in veterans Blake Bell and Neal Sterling to round out the group while others dealt with injury. As we’ve learned in the past, veteran status doesn’t always guarantee you a spot when it comes to 53-man roster cuts. It didn’t help Tim Wright or Jace Amaro in 2018.
Finally, former Princeton QB John Lovett is a player making some noise throughout the offseason program. He’s converting to play a TE/HB/FB style role for the Chiefs and has a unique skill set. Some days he works with the running backs, other days he’s working with the tight ends. Some expect him to make a push for that No. 2 TE spot. Perhaps it’s more realistic to see him as the third wheel if the Chiefs carry three tight ends this season.
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RB No. 2
Incumbent: Darrel Williams
Contenders: Carlos Hyde, Darwin Thompson
Damien Williams has been named the starter in Kansas City, but there seems to be a bit of competition for the spot behind him. Darrel Williams held the role late in last season, but will he be able to fend off newcomers Carlos Hyde and Darwin Thompson? It seems unlikely, but he did have solid production on limited touches in 2019 and he’s a valuable special teams player.
Fans seem to be really excited about the sixth-round pick Thompson, who joins the Chiefs after a season dominating the Mountain West Conference. The guy is made of pure muscle, has insane contact balance and can be used as a receiving threat as well.
A lot of people felt like Hyde would be cut when the Chiefs signed undrafted free agent RB James Williams. As it turns out the Chiefs front office saw a bit more upside in the veteran back and opted to release the college free agent. Could Hyde see a similar role to that of Damien Williams in 2018?
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CB No. 4
Incumbent: Tremon Smith
Contenders: Keith Reaser, Rashad Fenton, Mark Fields, D’Montre Wade
Tremon Smith started one game at CB for the Chiefs in 2018 and it didn’t go great for him. If he took that experience, and built on it for the 2019 season, there is a chance that he takes on larger defensive role. The guy can run, so he has that going for him at the very least.
He’ll have to compete with former Chiefs CB Keith Reaser, who returns to Kansas City after being the most dominant CB in the short-lived Alliance of American Football. He has the benefit of already knowing the special teams side of things, and if he can pick up Steve Spagnuolo’s defense quickly, he could easily become a favorite to take over this role by the start of the preseason.
Sixth-round pick Rashad Fenton has seen some high praise from the front office and coaching staff since his arrival with the team. It’s not exactly a first or second-round pick, but I think there’s a feeling in the building that he could outplay his draft slot.
A fan favorite is undrafted free agent Mark Fields. The former Clemson Tiger was one of the most coveted undrafted free agents out there after having a hell of a second half in last years college football national title game. He’ll have his work cut out for him, but we’ve seen undrafted free agents impress early before in Kansas City.
Don’t sleep on second-year player D’Montre Wade either. There were many fans that thought he’d make the 53-man roster last year, but instead he spent the entire season on the Chiefs’ practice squad.
Sub package LB
Incumbent: Dorian O’Daniel
Contenders: Darron Lee, Raymond Davison
Dorian O’Daniel was the primary sub package linebacker in Kansas City late in 2018, but he might not retain that role heading into 2019. It took O’Daniel quite a while to get up to speed in Bob Sutton’s defense, and now he’ll have to learn a whole new defense. If he doesn’t get up to speed quickly, he could find himself out of a job.
Brett Veach sent a 2020 sixth-round pick to the Jets for linebacker Darron Lee. It may not seem like a big investment, but Veach has remained loyal to the players that he’s acquired in trade. I expect Lee to make the team and compete for not only the sub package role, but starting time as a weakside linebacker.
Too many people are sleeping on Raymond Davison as a contender to make this team in some capacity. The kid has already picked off Patrick Mahomes multiple times this offseason, including as recently as Wednesday’s training camp practice, which was closed to the public.
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WR No. 6
Incumbent: Gehrig Dieter
Contenders: Marcus Kemp, Byron Pringle, Cody Thompson
Gehrig Dieter is one of Patrick Mahomes closest friends. There’s a ton of competition for his position this year and he knows it, which is why he’s focused heavily on his offseason training this season. Marcus Kemp signed in the same class as Dieter. Kemp has consistently been ahead of Dieter for the Chiefs because of his ability as a gunner on special teams. I think they’re as close to even footing as they’ve ever been heading into the 2019 season.
As far as training camp superstars go, Byron Pringle is one to watch out for. He’s received high praise from Dave Toub, Greg Lewis and Andy Reid so far. If he takes that praise and turns in a solid training camp and preseason, he’s a shoo-in to make the roster.
Undrafted free agent Cody Thompson is another player that has made a name for himself this offseason. Most recently at the onset of training camp he caught a nice over-the-shoulder touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes. If he keeps doing things like that he’ll get noticed.
The truth is this spot will likely be determined, not by receiving ability, but by ability on special teams. That means it’s anyone’s game heading into training camp.
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Swing tackle
Incumbent: Cameron Erving
Contenders: Ryan Hunter, Pace Murphy, Dino Boyd, Chidi Okeke
Cameron Erving was actually the incumbent left guard in 2018, but he lost his role at various points of the season due to injury. At the onset of camp the Chiefs have worked Erving at left tackle, suggesting a permanent role as a swing tackle. He has the versatility to play all five offensive line positions, which makes him one of the most valuable backups this team has.
Ryan Hunter and Pace Murphy both spent a good chunk of 2018 on the Chiefs’ practice squad. They’ll have a chance to make it based on their improvements they’ve made in their game from the 2018 season to the 2019 season.
Dino Boyd and Chidi Okeke are both newcomers, so they’ll have a lot to prove moving forward if they’re to make the team.
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DE No. 3
Incumbent: Breeland Speaks
Contenders: Emmanuel Ogbah, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Rob McCray
Justin Houston and Dee Ford were backed up by Breeland Speaks last season and it looks like he’ll be the primary backup at defensive end this year. He’s a much better fit with his hand in the dirt than he was a stand up 3-4 outside linebacker. He looked a little out of shape at the beginning of OTAs, so monitor that moving forward.
Trade acquisition Emmanuel Ogbah is the primary competition for Speaks. With 40 games of NFL experience under his belt, he has a good chance to unseat the 2018 second-round pick. Tanoh Kpassagnon is a bit of a wild-card in this situation. I’ve heard that Steve Spagnuolo has taken an interest in him, and is committed to developing him and finding a role for him in the defense.
Rob McCray is an undrafted free agent carry over from 2018 that spent most of the season on the practice squad injured list. He was a tweener when he joined the Chiefs, but it seems like he’s molded his body closer toward what Spagnuolo is looking for at the defensive end position.
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