Next Man Up: Predicting Chiefs 16-Man Practice Squad – A greatly expanded practice squad could prove to be the most interesting development, in the deal between the NFL and NFLPA. With 16 spots available to fill, and four players able to be protected each week, practice squads will go from a parking spot for developmental prospects and Scout Team-ers… to an extension of the bench. This is great news for the Kansas City Chiefs, who have one of the better UDFA classes in the league. However, with the temporary rules eliminating experience requirements, expect to see more veterans land on practice squads as well. Here’s an early look at how the Chiefs Practice squad could shake out.
Offensive Line (3)
The losses of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Lucas Niang dealt a significant blow to Chiefs depth on the OL. This was somewhat alleviated by the signing of Kelechi Osemele, who looks primed to start at LG. With that in mind, the Chiefs may only keep eight Offensive Linemen on the roster, and bolster their depth on the practice squad. While his singular start was an abject disaster, the Chiefs haven’t given up on 6-foot-3, 316 lbs. Ryan Hunter, a player who can offer depth at both Guard spots. UDFA, OL Daryl Williams — 6-foot-2, 304 lbs. — can play Center or Guard, that alone likely earns him a spot, as Chiefs don’t have much experience behind Austin Reiter. K.C. snagged 6-foot-6, 305 lbs. Greg Senat, a third year player off the Waiver Wire last year. Jackson Barton — 6-foot-7, 302 lbs. — appears to be ahead of him at this point, but Barton may make the roster, opening up a spot for Senat on the PS. With pretty limited options, at Swing Tackle, the Chiefs may opt to go with quantity.
Defensive Line (3)
The Chiefs have built quality depth along the Defensive Line, but they’ve done so for a reason. Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme hinges on a robust rotation of players. Maintaining that strength in the face of injuries and illness will be a high priority. 6-foot-6, 255 lbs. Tim Ward is a prospect with plenty of tools and precious little experience. K.C. should have no trouble hiding him from the rest of the NFL as he develops. With Alex Okafor set to hit free agency, next year, along with Tanoh Kpassagnon, the Chiefs have to hope they can develop Ward enough to take on a larger role next year. 6-foot-4, 272 lbs. Demone Harris may be tougher to get to the practice squad, but I don’t think he can make the main roster. If he clears Waivers, Spags will be thrilled to keep him in the building.
K.C. is not as heavy in their use of Defensive Tackles, but would probably like to hold on to at least one. 6-foot-2, 295 lbs. Devaroe Lawrence makes a lot of sense. He’s a decent prospect, from the SEC, whose career to this point, has been limited by injury. He has a great smile and appears to have the personality to mesh well with guys like Khalen Saunders, Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi.
Running Back (1)
Four running backs are likely to make the roster again which makes this position less needy. Elijah McGuire likely misses out on the main roster, but offers value as a pass protector and short yardage back. Not a bad option to have available, if the unthinkable should happen.
Linebacker (2)
With little time to envelop new prospects, the Chiefs are likely to stick with what they know on the main roster. The need for better Linebackers remains. Darius Harris (pictured below) may not be able to beat out Dorian O’Daniel, as a Special Teams ace, but could start over him in case of injury, even if he comes off the practice squad to do so.
LB Emmanuel Smith has bounced around the league a little bit, as a practice squad guy. He’s big and fairly athletic, so he can handle run down duties in a bind. With basically no other competition, in the building, the only way Smith misses the practice squad is if Veach go hunting for a better option from another team’s cuts.
Quarterback (1)
Quarterback is the most important position on the field. In a normal year, Chiefs would be satisfied with their top three. This year, with exposure protocols, it’s entirely possible that if one QB gets sick one of the others may have to quarantine as well. With that in mind, stashing Jordan Ta’amu as an emergency option makes a lot of sense. If Chiefs stay healthy, at the position, he can still offer value simulating mobile QBs, on the scout team.
Defensive Back (2)
The Chiefs have built up quantity, if not quality, in their defensive backfield. Without preseason games, first year players, like Lavert Hill and Rodney Clemons don’t have much of a shot to make the main roster. Both, however, are excellent candidates for the practice squad. Hill is smart enough to offer emergency depth in the Slot or at Safety. Rodney Clemons, similarly, is a limited athlete with great football IQ. Neither player has great upside, but both offer passable depth, immediately.
Wide Receiver(2)
Andy Reid’s top five WRs are pretty much the same they were last year. With the dropping of veteran restrictions on the practice squad, it makes a lot of sense to keep Gehrig Dieter around. He’s intimately familiar with Reid’s playbook and a popular friend of Patrick Mahomes. Dieter sticking around is likely bad news for Kalija Lipscomb. Both are more finesse players, lacking special athleticism. This opens the door for Maurice Ffrench. Ffrench is a solid athlete whose ability to contribute on Special Teams, should earn him a spot on the practice squad.
Tight End (2)
K.C. hasn’t invested heavily at the Tight End position. I only expect them to carry two on the roster, taking advantage of the practice squad to stash some more depth. Nick Keizer offers a more traditional blocking TE, if they had to switch to a run heavy offense, to support a backup QB. Jody Fortson showed promise, last preseason, but likely needs one more year, on the practice squad, to acclimate to NFL competition. Forston offers the versatility to also play as a big WR, in the Red Zone.
Practice Squad Projection: Summary
The lack of preseason games will make it pretty tough for UDFAs to make the main roster, but that doesn’t mean the Chiefs excellent class will go to waste. Brett Veach should be able to fit several of them onto the practice squad. With injuries and potential infections, don’t be shocked if significant contributions come out of this group by the end of the year. With the ability to protect four players each week, K.C. may be able to hang on to some guys who will make the 53-man roster, next year. Their ability to do so could have huge implications in 2021, when the salary cap is slated to go down.
Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne
Come back at 10:30 AM CDT, to watch Chiefs Training Camp Streamed LIVE right here on ArrowheadOne with the voice of the Chiefs, Mitch Holthus, plus Matt McMullen. Player and coach interviews planned. Note: they started 10 minutes late yesterday, so hang in there.
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