It’s entirely too early to project the depth chart for the Chiefs.
The offseason roster has seen additions through the 2019 NFL draft, and it’s currently being filled up with undrafted free agents.The Chiefs will still look to add and create competition on the roster throughout the offseason.
While the roster is currently in flux, it’s not a bad idea to get a jump on what it might look like come September. We can perhaps discover some strengths and weaknesses of the 90-man roster through this process. Let’s take a look:
Offense – 26
| Pos. | First | Second | Third |
| QB | Patrick Mahomes | Chad Henne | Kyle Shurmur |
| RB | Damien Williams | Darrel Williams; Carlos Hyde | Darwin Thompson |
| FB | Anthony Sherman | ||
| WR | Gehrig Dieter | Mecole Hardman | Byron Pringle |
| WR | Sammy Watkins | Demarcus Robinson | Marcus Kemp; Cody Thompson |
| 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 |
Observations:
- Kansas City only went with two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster last year. I think they really want to find a successor to groom. I have Kyle Shurmur beating out Chase Litton. Litton’s been putting in work this offseason so I could very well be wrong here. Not only is Shurmur the son of a coach, but he had a productive career at Vanderbilt, setting numerous school records.
- I went with four running backs. I anticipate either Carlos Hyde or Darrel Williams will be made inactive on gameday. Probably Hyde, unless he plays special teams.
- A bold prediction that the Chiefs roll with seven receivers. Even more bold is that I think Gehrig Dieter is going to be one of the Chiefs top receivers. In my mind it’s more a of a placeholder thing until Hardman is ready to carry the load as a speed threat. Hoping for a healthy Byron Pringle this season. I have Cody Thompson earning a spot, but likely as a gameday inactive. Also, I expect that Marcus Kemp will still have a role on special teams.
- The Chiefs roll with only two tight ends, again. I know the Chiefs really like Deon Yelder, they stashed him on the active last year to avoid poaching. I’m not sure they’ve brought anyone in that they like as much as him.
- The offensive line will be interesting. I don’t really see a clear swing tackle. I think they’ll have Andrew Wylie play RT in event of injury and have Cameron Erving play LT in the event of injury. Maybe stash a guy they like on the practice squad.
Continue…
Defense – 24
| Pos. | First | Second | Third |
| DT | Chris Jones | Xavier Williams | |
| DT | Derrick Nnadi | Khalen Saunders | |
| SDE | Breeland Speaks | Emmanuel Ogbah | |
| SLB | Damien Wilson | Darius Harris | |
| MLB | Anthony Hitchens | Reggie Ragland | |
| WLB | Dorian O’Daniel | Gary Johnson | |
| WDE | Frank Clark | Alex Okafor | Tanoh Kpassagnon |
| LCB | Bashaud Breeland | Charvarius Ward | Rashad Fenton |
| RCB | Kendall Fuller | Tremon Smith | Mark Fields |
| FS | Juan Thornhill | Armani Watts | |
| SS | Tyrann Mathieu | Jordan Lucas |
Observations:
- I based a lot of my numbers off of previous tendencies of Spagnuolo. For instance with the Giants he rarely rostered more than four defensive tackles. Though he had some ends who could reduce down.
- I know the Chiefs have been feeding us a starting linebacker group projection. I just don’t buy it. I think that everyone has a chance to lose their jobs given the performance last season. I went with Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens and Dorian O’Daniel as my starting trio in base. I have the two undrafted free agents getting jobs as backups. I think they’ll keep Ragland around, but I’m not sure where he fits. This would be unique though because traditionally Spagnuolo has kept 7-8 linebackers. I just don’t see it though considering the secondary needs.
- The defensive end group is pretty self-explanatory here, short of Tanoh Kpassagnon. I think he sticks as a 9-technique and LEO defensive end.
- Finally I’m going with four safeties. The Chiefs cut Daniel Sorensen to save against the cap.
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Special teams – 3
| 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 | |
| PR | Mecole Hardman | Tremon Smith |
| KR | Tremon Smith | Darwin Thompson |
Observations:
- No one is beating out Dustin Colquitt, yet.
- Mecole Hardman is primed for taking over as the Chiefs punt returner. Though I wouldn’t be shocked to see them try another player there too in the future if his role gets bigger on offense.
- Tre Smith is still the top guy at kick returner. I think they try Darwin Thompson as the No. 2 guy there.
Continue…
Practice squad – 10
| Pos. | Name | School |
| P | Jack Fox | Rice |
| QB | T.J. Linta | Wagner |
| DE | Tim Ward | Old Dominion |
| WR | Joel Blumenthal | Southwest Oklahoma State |
| CB | Dakari Monroe | San Jose State |
| TE | Logan Parker | Southern Utah |
| DT | Joey Ivie | X |
| OT | Justin Senior | X |
| RB | James Williams | Washington State |
| C | Tejan Koroma | X |
Observations:
- Chiefs try to stash Jack Fox on the practice squad, could take over for Colquitt in a year.
- T.J. Linta reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs, I’m thinking longterm development guy.
- The Chiefs really like Tim Ward and the feeling is mutual. He sticks around on the practice squad
- The offense has a clear need for speed and Blumenthal is a 4.27 guy. If Hardman goes down, he’s the guy they’re going to call up.
- Ball-hawking corner prospect to develop in Dakari Monroe.
- Logan Parker makes it because they needs a developmental TE on the PS if they only have two on the active roster.
- Kansas City develops their next Canadian OL in Justin Senior
- Joey Ivie and Tejan Koroma are two Chiefs from last year who get another season on the practice squad.
- No doubling up on a position, fairly rare occurrence, but it’s happened before.
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