2023 Chiefs: Players by Position

David Bell and Laddie Morse

David Bell – TE and FB

I have had this in my mind for a period of about a month. Besides Travis Kelce, who are the players who will make the roster. I think it is quite obvious that Noah Gray is TE #2. For reasons that are obvious, such as he was drafted, and another is his number has been called for making plays in Training Camp.

We fans all know and love Jody Fortson as well and for good reason. He too has earned recognition in camp and from his previous seasons with the Chiefs. Then we get down to the the real question? Will it be Blake Bell or Matt Bushman. I am a bit torn by this, but I see great value in have a Top level TE who is an excellent blocking TE. I am not knocking Bushman here but recognizing that Bell is a top level blocking TE and could also be called on to be a player who fills in as Full Back since for the first time in Chief’s history in the Andy Reid era, there is no Fullback on the roster.

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Laddie Morse – TEs and FBs

The challenge on offense has to do with numbers. In other words, how many players will be kept at specific positions? With zero FBs this year, HC Andy Reid must eventually clear up how many TEs… how many RBs… and how Many TEs will be kept, and some of those players must be able to step in and take the role of a FB from time to time. Part of that answer has to do with how special the new offensive tackles provide protection without needing a FB to help out when an obvious passing play is called.

Blake Bell turns 32 years old next week on August 7th while Matt Bushman turns 28 in November. If age is any kind of answer, Bushman may have the upper hand.

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David Bell – TEs

On the other hand, Matt Bushman doesn’t appear to be lacking talent for filling the blocking TE role. I do not know about him taking on the Fullback Role for perhaps 5 plays in a season where the Fullback might be the recipient of a hand-off in the backfield. I do know that he is a very capable receiver and I cannot see him as a detriment to the aerial game should he be inserted for a play and become the target of PMII.

It all boils down to just that as noted above — and the fact that Blake Bell (and his father), have a “Chiefs History” and persona.

Right now? My inclination is to think that Bushman will have the upper hand.

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Laddie Morse – OL

With Donovan Smith, Joe Thuney, Creed Humhrey, Trey Smith, and Jawaan Taylor as starters, K.C. may have the best OL since 2003 and that OL may have been the best OL in the history of the NFL. Put the GOAT of a QB behind their formidable group and you have more magic than Dumbledor has witnessed in a lifetime. With Prince Tega Wanogho, Nick Allegretti, Wanya Morris and Lucas Niang (and more) backing up this top five OL and you have more magic waiting to happen.  

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David Bell – QBs

There really isn’t a question about QB since the NFL rule Change allows a player who is not active to be inserted in games in emergency situations. The Chiefs have future HoF QB Patrick Mahomes and they signed former Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert to be their backup. In the background, Shane Buechele is the likely third QB with Chris Oladokun being the 4th QB in camp. Making Buechele an active player on the roster does not strengthen the group or the team, so Andy Reid goes with two QBs in 2023.

I don’t see the Chiefs placing a 3 QB on the active Roster which frees up a spot to keep another player which might well be a 7th WR.

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Laddie Morse – DL

With Chris Jones signing (I figure he will eventually) this DL is one of the league’s best. Throw in George Karlaftis, FAU, Keondre Coburn, Danny Shelton, Charles Omenihu, Mike Danna, BJ Thompson and you have all above average DL. Then you look at the remaining DL who will serve as backups and you have a solid group. Those backup DL include: Matt Dickerson, Malik Herring, Josh Kaindoh, Phil Hoskins and yes, Derrick Nnadi. That’s right, I’m listing Nnadi as a backup, because that’s where I believe he belongs.

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Laddie Morse – LBs

The Chiefs have one of the best LBing corps in the NFL. Adding Drue Tranquill helps tremendously with the coverage ability of this group. Nick Bolton set a Tackles in One Season record with 181 in 2023. Willie Gay is in a contract year so if he doesn’t top out he may have to tap out. Leo Chenal was improving latter in the season and I’ll be excited to see where he goes this year. Jack Cochrane, Cole Christiansen, and Cam Jones all have an opportunity to make the final roster like Cochrane did in 2022.

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Laddie Morse – CBs

The Chiefs were way ahead of the game when it comes to corners… that is until Nazeeh Johnson (NJ) was injured and had to leave practice. 

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NJ was the team’s best gunner on Special Teams last year as well, made clear by ST Coach Dave Toub. Now the team will not only have to look for another competent CB, but another gunner as well. Andy Reid mentioned Nazeeh Johnson recently too:

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“Yeah, Nazeeh was playing good football. We’ve got some other guys that can play there, but he’s a good special teams player and he’s a good corner. He’s really developed over the years. It’s too bad that it happened. He’s got a good attitude about it, and he’ll get back when he can get back.”

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With L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson leading the way, the CB room looks to be steady and strong. With Rookie Nic Jones playing well in camp, and Ekow Boye-Doe getting attention from his coaches in post practice pressers, the future looks bright for the CB crew.

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David Bell – Safeties

I’m pretty sure this group is nearly wrapped up. Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, and Mike Edwards are the front 3. I’d like to retain Deon Bush. I’ll ne’er if they will keep Nic jones too which would make 5. Reports are good for the latter and both he and Bush both appear to give S/T coach Dave Toub a leg up for 2023. Keeping Jones for that reason may be in the cards and there is an available slot of QB Shane Buechele is on the PS.

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David Bell – Special Teams

There is no change for the basic three positions: Harrison Butker (PK), Tommy Townsend (PU), and James Winchester (LS). This threesome is, at the very least a solid crew. The questions that remain are: Who is the kick and punt returners and who takes over as the top gunner as Najeeh Johnson is lost for the season! I think it is clear that the Chiefs will use Richie James as the kick returner. Punt returner will likely see multiple players all season long. The Gunners will be filled with players who show desired speed and toughness for the role. I am not sure who they will be. Nic Jones comes to mind off the top of my head. 

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David Bell – Summary

There is nothing that goes unoticed by HC Andy Reid, DC Steve Spagnuolo, and S/T coach Dave Toub. I am not convinced that the Chiefs won’t keep 6 WRs (and maybe 7 if I add in Nikko Remigio at least until Toney is active). At TE it’s going be either/or –> Bell’s Chiefs history and solid+ blocking or  Bushman’s prowess for the aerial attack. I can see trading Clyde and perhaps other bets to gain cap space and that would mean the youth movement continues. What I do think is that CJ gets an extension, Sneed doesn’t. Veach then. has room to add the
e right player as opening day approaches…. What more can we ask for?

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Laddie Morse – Summary

For over a month now, I’ve been leaning towards keeping Richie James over Nikko Remigio. Prior to that time I was a big Nikko fan and hoped we’d see him on the final 53. Now, after some time has gone by… and perhaps because Kadarius Toney is sitting on the sideline.. I’m hoping that both James and Remigio make the final list of players available on the 53 man roster. Here’s Nikko returning a Punt in Training camp (0:15):

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David Bell and Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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