David Bell and Laddie Morse
This is a joint article. David and I will be giving our own views
on what we think will be the final makeup of the Chiefs roster.
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With one preseason game to go, the battle to make the Chiefs 53 man roster is as intense as it’s ever been. Now that we know who has been cut to get the roster from 85 down to 80 players, it’s time to focus on Alchemy Day and the last cut downs to 53 next Tuesday. First, here are the Chiefs moves this week:
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The math is simple, if you keep 3 Special Teams players, you must come up with a formula for keeping 50 Offensive and Defensive players combined… or if that’s evenly split, it comes out to 25 each. In reality, the Chiefs may have more talent on the offensive side of the ball this year necessitating they keep 26. That then means you have to figure out how to get the Defensive side of the ball down to 24. That’s what we’re suggesting here. So, let’s take a look. The players listed in BOLD and RED are those in limbo.
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Offense (26)
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QB Locks: Mahomes and Henne
QB Schlocks: Buechele and Gordon (who has already been released)
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RB Locks: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams, Jerick McKinnon
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RB: Schlocks: Gore, Thompson, McGuire
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Laddie: Quarterbacks and Running backs look straight forward. No, Darwin Thompson and Derrick Gore haven’t done enough to garner a 53 man designation. However, Andy Reid’s recent comment about Gore “Looking like Gayle Sayers” must be slotted as a strong support statement in hopes of a trade happening for him… either that or the Chiefs are planning on keeping him. Otherwise, CEH, Darrel Williams, and McKinnon appear to be locks.
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David: Burton at FB (below) may be a roster casualty due to other considerations to free up a roster spot. Still, Reid has used him and unlike almost all other teams the Chiefs find a way for him to contribute on offense as well as special teams as when Anthony Sherman held things together. A mean, hard-nosed FB blocking when it is needed is an asset. He also has hands. Andy Reid has used him, as he did Sherman, and that tells me he really wants to keep him on the roster.
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FB Lock: Michael Burton
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TE Locks: Kelce, Gray, Fortson
TE Schlocks: Bell
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David: If I run down the groups, I get to Tight Ends. and I agree with the list. Today I changed my mind about keeping 4 Tight Ends. At this point, Blake Bell is the casualty for the group. Fortson can block well enough and is far more significant as an offensive tool for Mahomes. To get that roster spot? Bell is out.
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Laddie: While some are convinced that FB Michael Burton is a lock, I’m not. That means a battle between Burton, Fortson and Bell is one to watch. If Burton is in, it means, that becomes a two-man battle, between Fortson and Bell. Right now, it’s hard to not lean in Fortson’s direction, even though that may mean giving up some ability to block.
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OL Locks: Brown, Thuney, Humphrey, T. Smith, Niang
Remmers, Allegretti, Durant, Williams, Tega Wanogho
OL Schlocks: Andrew Wylie, Bryan Witzmann (already released), Wyatt Miller,
OL on IR: Long, Blythe, LDT
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David: If we put Wylie on the PS, it’s worth a gamble so, it doesn’t change the list. I think Blythe is in the same category. Blythe’s recovery/rehab won’t take 6 weeks. LDT is in the same situation. If a player goes to the 6-week IR he uses a roster spot so I see Williams, Blythe, and LDT going to the PS. Trades might come into play. But those men can be moved up to the active roster if needed and if poached, it is a risk but that is the reality faced by the coaching staff. Allegretti has versatility and can play OC and OG. I am not a big supporter of keeping Wylie, but he has 2 years of experience in the Chiefs offense as well as versatility: OG and RT.
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David on the OL IR List: Laddie and I discussed LDT’s outright release not long ago. Kyle Long is going to need the 6 week time to recover/rehab. If it’s more, he becomes a roster casualty or you put him on the PS. It’s better to make that decision early on because of the showing the young players have made.
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Laddie: Many K.C. fans may be more concerned at this point about who the Chiefs will keep as backups and that concern may be a bit diminished because (I’m convinced) K.C. will keep 10 OL. The question in my mind is: has Prince Tega-Wanogho done enough to unseat an experienced vet in Wylie. With so many OL vets on IR right now — Long, LDT, and Blythe – it may seem that the wise thing to do is keep Wylie. I say, if you can go with 3 rookies as starting OL, you can take younger, less experienced player, who has outplayed the vet, and who may have a bigger upside, especially since we already know what Wylie can (and can’t) do.
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WR Locks: Hill, Hardman, Pringle, Robinson, Fountain, Powell
WR Schlocks: Kemp, Dieter, Shepard, Ffrench, Schoen
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David: I like this list of 6 WRs. Highlighting Robinson is appropriate, especially if he gets traded. However, I think Robinson makes the roster. I have to say that Fountain has achieved a Roster spot and Robinson is my “out” on the list if they can finagle a trade. Then I’d move Marcus Kemp up as he has import to Dave Toub’s Special Teams unit. As Wichita Sam posted about Daurice Fountain: “Give that man a Roster Spot.” I agree!
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Laddie: At WR, there are those who think Cornell Powell is having a rough camp and others have surpassed him. I grant that take has a thread of truth, but also recognize that the Chiefs would be loathe to cut a rookie WR who hasn’t had a year in the system. My question has more to do with, Demarcus Robinson vs Marcus Kemp. Kemp has clearly had the better camp and preseason. Fountain is an obvious keeper… so it comes down to Robinson and Kemp. For now, I go with the guy who gives Mahomes the most comfort on plays that break down. That’s Robinson. On the other hand, if they do cut Robinson, they save nearly $1M ($987,500) so that may end up being a determining fact, all things being equal. Another plus in favor of Kemp, is what the “Kingdom Says Podcast,” hosted by Garrett Williams, points out about the 6-foot-4, 210 lbs. WR (0:39):
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David and Laddie: We realize we have 25 players on Offense at this point, the question then becomes, do the Chiefs keep: an extra RB, or an extra OL, or an extra WR? David thinks it will be a WR and so does Laddie. That means Kemp is the man. The extra man could also be an extra LB like: Cobb, Harris, or O’Daniel, but we’re sticking with Kemp.
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Defense (24)
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DE Locks: Clark, Danna, Okafor, Kaindoh, Ward
DE Schlocks: Charlton (already released), Harris, Edwards
DL IR: Herring
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Laddie: It looks like Ward is a keeper now that Charlton has been released..
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David: Tim Ward, is a superior player on the outside and deserving of making the roster. Tim Ward flashed last year, that same year. I like Wards length and bend.
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DT/DE Locks: Chris Jones
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David and Laddie: It was our mistake to think CJ couldn’t make this move to hybrid DT/DE. We have both eaten our hats on this one. Stone Cold will be outstanding no matter where he lines up.
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DT Locks: Reed, Nnadi, Wharton, Saunders
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DT Schlocks: T. Clark
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LB Locks: Hitchens, Gay, Bolton, Niemann
LB Schlocks: Cobb, Harris, O’Daniel, Cole, E. Smith
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David: Regarding, LB’s Omari Cobb, Darius Harris, and Safety Armani Watts (below)… all three have played very well. Cobb’s play next week is key, and he may well have superseded Ben Niemann, at least related to physical play quickness, speed, and reading defenses. Note: Omari Cobb is also a Dave Toub Special Team ace.
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CB Locks: Sneed, Ward, Hughes, Fenton, Baker, Keyes
CB Schlocks: Lammons, Clemons, Bootle, Character
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Laddie: It looks like this is coming down to 3 players: Keyes v Watts v Key. Keyes has done enough to deserve a chance this year and I think they will want to see where his progress takes him. Watts has made a good showing of his skills lately and likely joins Keyes on the 53 man roster. Key may end up the odd man out, but hopefully he ends up on the Chiefs PS. Both David and I thought Parks was a good addition, but now he’s gone. Chris Lammons is highlighted here because DC Steve Spagnuolo said positive things about him just yesterday in the Post-practice media session.
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David: The Chiefs went back to pick up BoPete Keyes in the 2020 draft. He will make the 2021 roster at CB. Also, the CB group has the most to gain by keeping an extra player. Keyes was a draft pick and the matter really comes down to how many spots for all the DBs?
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Safety Locks: Mathieu, Sorensen, Thornhill, Watts
Safety Schlocks: Key, Parks (already released), Anderson
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David: Armani Watts was in competition with Parks for a roster spot, but K.C. has released Parks. Watts had shined in his rookie season until a core body injury occurred. Key has been up and down this preseason. Key looks to be headed for the PS.
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Special Teams (3)
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ST Locks: Harrison Butker, James Winchester, Tommy Townsend
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Laddie: Locked, stocked, and loaded for Bear (although the Bears are not on the Chiefs schedule this season).
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David: Alchemy Day is a great term for the final NFL cut-down day, coined by Laddie four years ago. It fits the final release date which will have applicability and effect very soon, next Tuesday, August 31. The Offensive Line and WR’s are going to garner the most consideration, as I perceive things at this moment. Let us know your thoughts on the roster. Thanks and…
Go Chiefs!
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David Bell and Laddie Morse
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