The roster is beginning to fill out a bit for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thus far the 2019 Chiefs have undergone a fair bit of roster transformation on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The team seems comfortable to let their free agents walk, and release veterans who will create savings on the salary cap.
By our count, the Chiefs have 69 players currently on the roster. Between the remainder of free agency and the 2019 NFL draft, the Chiefs will add 21 more players to the 90-man offseason roster. Let’s take a look at the roster and see where they might still have some holes.
Quarterbacks (4): Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Chase Litton, EJ Manuel
The Chiefs typically only go into camp with four quarterbacks. Chad Henne is a virtual lock, but Chase Litton needs to show improvements in year two. The Chiefs brought in EJ Manuel to compete and push Litton for the third quarterback spot. It’ll be sink or swim from the second-year QB from Marshall, but the Chiefs are hoping he can develop into a valuable backup.
Running backs (5): Damien Williams, Darrel Williams, Carlos Hyde, JD Moore, Aaron Ripkowski
Free Agents (3): Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Anthony Sherman
The top three spots are very clearly occupied by Damien, Darrel, and Carlos. After that things are quite murky. At this point last year the Chiefs had six running backs on the roster. They’ll surely work to create more competition here, they could perhaps bring back some of their own free agents too.
Wide receivers (9): Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Marcus Kemp, Gehrig Dieter, Byron Pringle, Sammie Coates, Josh Crockett, Davon Grayson
Free Agents (2): Chris Conley to the Jaguars, De’Anthony Thomas
The Chiefs are set to lose two starters from the previous season. With the uncertainty surrounding Tyreek Hill, they’ll likely seek to address this position by adding a veteran free agent and perhaps a player in the 2019 NFL draft. Many are hoping that Byron Pringle can step in, but lets see how he does in his return from injury before crowning him king. Don’t rule out second-year contributions from Josh Crockett either.
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Tight ends (3): Travis Kelce, Deon Yelder, David Wells
Free agents (1): Demetrius Harris to the Browns
If there is one unit that’s desperately thin on depth, it’s the tight end group. This time last year the Chiefs had five tight ends on the roster. Behind Travis Kelce there are virtually no proven players. Look for the Chiefs to perhaps add a veteran in free agency, and perhaps another player through the draft.
Offensive linemen (13): Tackles Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz, Justin Senior, Ryan Hunter, Pace Murphy; guards Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Cameron Erving, Kahlil McKenzie, Dillon Gordon; centers Austin Reiter, Tejan Koroma, Jimmy Murray
Free agents (3): Mitch Morse to the Bills, Jordan Devey, Jeff Allen
There are some question marks among this group, but it’s also surprisingly full of players. This time last year they had two less offensive lineman, but they added on via the draft and several in undrafted free agency. They could potentially add some versatile pieces in the draft.
Look specifically toward some second-year players making contributions though. Kahlil McKenzie, Ryan Hunter, Tejan Koroma, and Jimmy Murray in particular. Also it’ll be curious to see where Mack Lee Hill award winner Andrew Wylie plays in 2019. Will he win the left guard spot? To be determined.
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Defensive tackles (7): Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Xavier Williams, Justin Hamilton, Joey Ivie, Henry Mondeaux, Cavon Walker
Free agent (1): Allen Bailey
The most interesting part of this position group is the new additions. At face value they look like pure depth signings, but I’m curious if Henry Mondeaux or Cavon Walker can make an impact in the new 4-3 scheme. I don’t suspect the Chiefs are done adding here either.
Defensive ends (4): Breeland Speaks, Alex Okafor, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Rob McCray
Free agent (2): Justin Houston, Frank Zombo
Trade (1): Dee Ford
The Chiefs dismantled this position group, which was formerly filled with 3-4 outside linebackers. Now they’re looking for a new type of player to fill these roles. They added Alex Okafor through free agency who fits the mold for what Brendan Daly is looking for on the edge.
Last season the Chiefs had six players rostered at this time and that was before adding Speaks and McCray. They’ll likely bring in more free agents and more players through the draft.
Linebackers (7): Reggie Ragland, Anthony Hitchens, Dorian O’Daniel, Ben Niemann, Raymond Davison, Martrell Spaight, Damien Wilson
The Chiefs actually have one more linebacker on the roster right now than they did at this time last season. They added three through the draft, so they definitely aren’t finished adding here. Damien Wilson seems to be their answer at SLB, but his contract hardly warrants long-term commitment. Perhaps they’ll find another that they like in the draft.
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Cornerbacks (7): Kendall Fuller, Charvarius Ward, Tremon Smith, D’Montre Wade, Step Durham, Dontae Johnson, Bashaud Breeland
Free agents (2): Steven Nelson to the Steelers, Orlando Scandrick
On paper this still looks like a very weak group. Bashaud Breeland was brought in to compete for a starting job, but everyone else has a long way to go. Dontae Johnson was likely a depth signing. If Tremon Smith and D’Montre Wade step up in year two this group could improve. Unless the coaching staff is an optimistic bunch, they’ll continue to add to this group.
Safeties (7): Daniel Sorensen, Eric Murray, Leon McQuay, Armani Watts, Jordan Lucas, Harold Jones-Quartey, Tyrann Mathieu
Free agents (2): Eric Berry, Ron Parker
The Chiefs are determined to get better an more reliable safety play in 2019. They got rid of Ron Parker and unceremoniously released Eric Berry. The team brought in Tyrann Mathieu to be their new defensive leader, and he’s fully capable. Will the rest of the safety group show up though? Are they done adding or subtracting here? I think there still could be movement at this position group.
Specialists (3): Kicker Harrison Butker, punter Dustin Colquitt, long snapper James Winchester
Harrison Butker was given a restricted free agent tender. He’ll play for the Chiefs in 2019, but will the Chiefs sign him to a long term extension at any point? It might pay to do it now with a bevy of cap space.
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