There’s less than a week to go before the Kansas City Chiefs report for training camp.
The 90-man roster is still in flux and will undergo changes ahead of Sept. 1 roster cuts. I can’t predict those changes, but I can take another crack at predicting what the 53-man roster will look like with the players that the Chiefs currently have. Here’s a look at my latest prediction for the 53-man roster, depth chart and practice squad:
Offense – 24 players
| Pos. | First | Second | Third |
| QB | Patrick Mahomes | Chad Henne | |
| RB | Damien Williams | Darrel Williams; Carlos Hyde | Darwin Thompson |
| FB | Anthony Sherman | ||
| WR | Tyreek Hill | Mecole Hardman | Byron Pringle |
| WR | Sammy Watkins | Demarcus Robinson | Gehrig Dieter |
| TE | Travis Kelce | Deon Yelder | |
| LT | Eric Fisher | ||
| LG | Andrew Wylie | Cameron Erving | |
| C | Austin Reiter | Nick Allegretti | |
| RG | Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | Kahlil McKenzie | |
| RT | Mitchell Schwartz | Dino Boyd |
Observations:
- Unless the Chiefs see significant progress from Chase Litton or Kyle Shurmur, expect them to continue going with the two-man quarterback room they had in 2018.
- Keeping four running backs feels like the sweet spot for this offense. It’s enough players to account for the rigors of a 16-game season. I think the key is having a few guys like Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson who can contribute on special teams.
- I debated having six and seven receivers on the roster. My decision came down to the fact that the Chiefs should get plenty of pass-catching usage out of Travis Kelce, Deon Yelder, Damien Williams and Carlos Hyde.
- As for special teams, I expect Byron Pringle to push for Marcus Kemp’s spot. Gehrig Dieter should retain his spot.
- I’m going with two tight ends again to start the season because I have little faith in the current group after Kelce. Yelder has been someone the coaching staff really likes, and the No. 2 job is his to lose at this point. If the Chiefs need an extra blocker at TE they can put Anthony Sherman or an offensive lineman in-line.
- I’m going with nine offensive linemen like the Chiefs did to start the 2018 season. I feel like this is a good number and allows for depth in the event of an injury-filled season. Guys like Kahlil McKenzie and Nick Allegretti will back up the interior, while Cameron Erving holds the swing job. I like Dino Boyd to be the ninth man because he has experience at tackle, but the Chiefs will have some options to choose from there.
Continue …
Defense – 26 players
| Pos. | First | Second | Third |
| DT | Chris Jones | Xavier Williams | |
| DT | Derrick Nnadi | Khalen Saunders | |
| SDE | Breeland Speaks | Emmanuel Ogbah | |
| SLB | Damien Wilson | Ben Niemann | |
| MLB | Reggie Ragland | Darius Harris | |
| WLB | Anthony Hitchens | Dorian O’Daniel | Darron Lee |
| WDE | Frank Clark | Alex Okafor | Tanoh Kpassagnon |
| LCB | Bashaud Breeland | Charvarius Ward | Rashad Fenton |
| RCB | Kendall Fuller | Keith Reaser | |
| FS | Daniel Sorensen | Juan Thornhill | Armani Watts |
| SS | Tyrann Mathieu | Jordan Lucas |
Observations:
- The most significant player not on this defensive roster projection is 2018 sixth-round pick Tremon Smith. I am beginning to think that the combination of Mecole Hardman and Pringle’s special teams prowess will make Smith expendable. I expect the Chiefs would try to offload him in trade given his No. 3 finish in kick return yards in 2018.
- The versatility along the defensive line will allow for the Chiefs to carry fewer defensive tackles. Players like Emmanuel Ogbah, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks could reduce to the inside on certain downs, while Chris Jones could see some work off the edge.
- Traditionally speaking, Steve Spagnuolo’s defenses carry a lot of linebackers with unique skill sets. I have seven making the final cut in this prediction, with Ben Niemann edging out Jerry Attaochu because of special teams value.
- I think Dorian O’Daniel and Darron Lee will both see the field a lot in sub defenses. They bring too much speed to the field to have them on the sidelines.
- Rookie CB Rashad Fenton is going to surprise some folks and make the team over guys like Mark Fields and Tremon Smith.
- I went with five safeties because of the versatility that some of the guys offer. Daniel Sorensen can play nickel linebacker. Tyrann Mathieu can play anywhere. Juan Thornhill can play a number of spots, including outside cornerback.
Continue …
Special teams – 3 players
| Pos. | First | Second |
| P | Dustin Colquitt | Harrison Butker |
| K | Harrison Butker | Dustin Colquitt |
| KO | Harrison Butker | Dustin Colquitt |
| LS | James Winchester | Travis Kelce |
| H | Dustin Colquitt | x |
| PR | Mecole Hardman | Byron Pringle |
| KR | Byron Pringle | Mecole Hardman |
Observations:
- I expect Hardman and Pringle to alternate kick return duties, with Tyreek Hill getting mixed in on the occasional punt return.
- Dustin Colquitt will be the punter short of any significant drop-off in play. Beyond 2019 is up in the air.
- We know that Kelce is the backup long snapper from training camp last season. Previously the backup holder was Chris Conley, but it’s not clear who will take over that job now that he left in free agency.
Practice squad – 10
| Pos. | Name | School |
| P | Jack Fox | Rice |
| QB | Chase Litton | x |
| TE/FB | John Lovett | Princeton |
| WR | Rashard Davis | x |
| CB | D’Montre Wade | x |
| OT | Ryan Hunter | x |
| DT | Joey Ivie | x |
| OT | Chidi Okeke | Tennessee State |
| LB | Raymond Davison | x |
| DE/LB | Rob McCray | x |
Injured reserve – 1
| Pos. | Name | School |
| DE | Tim Ward | Old Dominion |
Observations:
- Keep in mind the Chiefs could bring in some outsiders for the practice squad. I am focusing on players who are on the 90-man roster.
- The Chiefs seem high on Tim Ward, but I think his injury will see him get a redshirt year from the Chiefs in 2019. He’ll spend all of training camp on the PUP before being sent to injured reserve.
- I only have three rookies making the practice squad, which seems quite low compared to recent years. I feel like experience is going to be valued for some of these guys, with expectations being very high going into the season.
- I have six players from the 2018 practice squad making it again: Joey Ivie, D’Montre Wade, Ryan Hunter, Raymond Davison, Rob McCray and Chase Litton.
- Litton gets to spend a second consecutive season on the practice squad. I expect he’ll have a chance to take over for Chad Henne in 2020 when his contract expires.
- John Lovett is someone that folks have pegged as a training camp favorite. I’d like to think he’ll make it onto the 53-man roster at some point for a combination of offense and special teams skills, but I think he’ll start off on the practice squad.
- There are a number of receivers who could make it on the practice squad. I chose Davis because his skill set seems like one they could use as insurance in case of injury for at least three players that I have on the 53-man roster (Hill, Hardman, Pringle).
- I have Jack Fox making the practice squad, but I don’t expect him to stay there. Some team will likely poach him.
- I like Chidi Okeke as a good offensive line prospect for development with inside-outside versatility.
Go back …
