The Kansas City Chiefs kick off their organized team activities on Monday, May 22.
This is the first opportunity for both rookies and veterans alike to get some on-field work together. However, this portion of the offseason workout program is strictly voluntary, so not everyone will be around.
These are what Andy Reid considers “passing camps.” They’re not particularly great for the defensive side of the ball, given that there isn’t any hitting or contact. The defensive backs and linebackers will get some good opportunities to work on coverage, but that’s about it.
With team drills being allowed during OTAs, we’re taking a crack at projecting the defensive depth chart for the 90-man roster down below:
Edge rusher
| Pos. | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| LDE | Mike Danna | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Joshua Kaindoh, BJ Thompson | Truman Jones |
| RDE | George Karlaftis | Charles Omenihu | Malik Herring | Daniel Wise |
The Chiefs rotate their edge rushers enough that I’m not sure the designation of starter matters. I think Anudike-Uzomah could impress and get some action with that first unit by mandatory minicamp. Omenihu is going to play both edge and interior defensive line, as will Danna and even Karlaftis at times.
Defensive tackle
| Pos. | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| LDT | Derrick Nnadi | Keondre Coburn | Danny Shelton | Phil Hoskins |
| RDT | Chris Jones | Tershawn Wharton | Matt Dickerson | Chris Williams |
I won’t be shocked if Coburn eventually unseats Nnadi, but for now, I have him squarely behind him on the depth chart. Wharton returns to backing up Jones after missing the majority of last season with an ACL injury.
Linebacker
| Pos. | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| MLB | Nick Bolton | Cole Christiansen | ||
| WLB | Willie Gay Jr. | Drue Tranquill | Cam Jones | |
| SLB | Leo Chenal | Jack Cochrane | Isaiah Moore |
Again, Tranquill is someone who I expect to push for starting snaps. He can play all three spots and he could challenge Gay Jr. for sub-package snaps. I expect Jones and Moore to push Christiansen and Cochrane for snaps as well.
Cornerback
| Pos. | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| LCB | L’Jarius Sneed | Joshua Williams | Nic Jones | Ekow Boye-Doe |
| RCB | Jaylen Watson | Nazeeh Johnson | Anthony Witherstone | Lamar Jackson |
| SCB | Trent McDuffie | Dicaprio Bootle | Reece Tyler | Kahlef Hailassie |
Watson and Williams were platooned last season, but I think Watson will have the edge for a starting job heading into Year 2. Sneed and McDuffie will probably rotate some of those snaps in the slot. Bootle will get snaps with the second team given his veteran status, but with the depth of talent within this group, don’t be shocked if that changes during the course of OTAs.
Safety
| Pos. | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| FS | Justin Reid | Deon Bush, Chamarri Conner | Anthony Cook | |
| SS | Bryan Cook | Mike Edwards | Isaiah Norman |
I think B. Cook will be given every chance to win a starting job, but I won’t be shocked if Edwards comes away with it. Conner will play all over the defense, including snaps in the slot. He’ll be in direct competition with Bush for a spot.
