Chiefs: A Too Early Roster Prediction – With the draft past, and virtual OTAs underway, the Kansas City Chiefs are beginning to get an idea of which players have the mental ability to make the roster. While much of the evaluation process will have to wait until players actually hit the field, it’s worth taking an early look at how the 53-man roster could shake out. Chiefs starters are largely in place, but they have a chance to add some great cost-controlled depth.
Editor’s Note: Under the old CBA rules, concerning roster limits, there wasn’t any fudging so, the limit was a firm: 53 players. However, with the new CBA rules, each team can “Elevate either 1, or even 2, players from its Practice Squad.”
Quarterbacks (2)
- 1. Patrick Mahomes
- 2. Chad Henne
The Chiefs seem to like Jordan Ta’amu, but will find themselves in a bit of a roster crunch. The hope will be that he can make it to the practice squad. Henne’s contract means he’ll be here for at least one more year. Once Mahomes large deal comes to fruition, expect K.C. to get a little more serious about controlling the cost of their number two QB. Shea Patterson offers Chiefs insurance, should Ta’amu get snatched up before they can sign him to the practice squad.
Running Backs (5)
- 3. Damien Williams
- 4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- 5. Darrel Williams
- 6. Anthony Sherman
- 7. DeAndre Washington
Damien Williams remains as the starter until Clyde Edwards-Helaire takes over. After that though, the roster is built around Helaire, who is the future for the Chiefs at RB. Darrel Williams was a mentor for Helaire at LSU and can take some punishing, short yardage carries. He’s also reliable in pass protection. DeAndre Washington is kind of a poor man’s Helaire, so they don’t need to switch up the offense, in case of injury. He also has a familiarity and rapport with Patrick Mahomes, who he played with in college. Darwin Thompson is the odd man out. He’s got some good qualities as a RB, but he’s probably Chiefs least versatile RB, as he’s really on the small side for pass protection. However, Thompson may yet secure a roster spot, if Chiefs trade a RB for a pick or player.
Wide Receivers (5)
- 8. Tyreek Hill
- 9. Sammy Watkins
- 10. Mecole Hardman
- 11. DeMarcus Robinson
- 12. Byron Pringle
Kalija Lipscomb has a chance to make it, due to his excellent hands, ball tracking and route running. His upside is limited, as he’s a below average athlete, at WR, but the level of polish, and competitive nature make him a natural fit, as a depth guy. Unfortunately, the Chiefs may stick with 5 WRs, as there are other players they need to keep. If Lipscomb makes the practice squad, he’d be a strong candidate for an in-season elevation, in case of injury.
Tight Ends (3)
- 13. Travis Kelce
- 14. Ricky Seals-Jones
- 15. John Lovett
Deon Yelder has a really good shot to make the roster, but they love John Lovett. His versatility as a blocker and receiver, along with his tenacious special teams play, make him a great addition to Chiefs arsenal. Lovett pairs well with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, as both players will be tough for linebackers to handle, in the passing game. Lovett shouldn’t be used to block Defensive linemen, but Reid’s offense seldom requires this. Ricky Seals-Jones gives Chiefs a big target, in the Red-Zone. Despite being bigger than Lovette, Seals-Jones is also not a player you should expect to handle DL.
Special Teams (3)
- 16. Tommy Townsend
- 17. Harrison Butker
- 18. James Winchester
After many years in Kansas City, the Chiefs have parted ways with Dustin Colquitt. This move saved money, but may not have been the only consideration. Colquitt struggled last year, relative to his past performances. His leg isn’t as strong as it once was and K.C. had several issues on kicks with the timing of the snap. At first glance, the blame would appear to fall on James Winchester, but they haven’t brought in any competition for him, so perhaps Dave Toub felt otherwise. Tommy Townsend has the edge over Tyler Newsome. Newsome has been in the NFL for a year, but Townsend was also a holder in college, so he’s probably further along. With Mahomes at QB, holding may be the primary consideration, over punting prowess. It also doesn’t hurt that Townsend will be cost controlled, for an additional year, compared to Newsome.
Offensive Line (9)
- 19. Eric Fisher
- 20. Andrew Wylie
- 21. Daryl Williams
- 22. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
- 23. Mitchell Schwartz
- 24. Mike Remmers
- 25. Lucas Niang
- 26. Nick Allegretti
- 27. Yasir Durant
Martinas Rankin will be on the roster, at some point, but I expect his injury to linger into training camp (a patella injury in early November). He probably starts the season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Austin Reiter under-performed, in 2019 and is in the final year of his contract. He saves substantial money, if cut. The Chiefs have been grooming Nick Allegretti to take his spot and Daryl Williams offers depth at Center. Reid is clearly going after size, on the interior. Andrew Wylie, Mike Remmers and Yasir Durant are all at least 6’5”. Lucas Niang has the ability to play Guard, but the Chiefs would do better to keep him in the swing tackle role, as they struggled mightily, last year when either of their tackles went down. Wylie gets the edge at LG, but the size and strength of Durant may offer greater appeal. Maintaining the integrity of the pocket… for Mahomes… has become more important than acquiring mobile blockers who can pull in the run game.
Safeties (4)
- 28. Tyrann Mathieu
- 29. Juan Thornhill
- 30. Alex Brown
- 31. Daniel Sorensen
When Juan Thornhill went down with an injury last year, Armani Watts received substantial playtime in one game and then, little in the playoffs. With the importance of a true single high safety in Chiefs’ defense, Alex Brown beats out Watts. Brown is on the smaller side, but he’s extremely fast and explosive, with freakishly long arms. Brown offers versatility to play in the slot, or as a Deep Safety. He began to make his presence felt, on special teams, late in the season. The Chiefs top three safeties are set. Additional depth, at the safety position may be a target for the Chiefs, on cut-down day.
Cornerbacks (6)
- 32. Charvarius Ward
- 33. Rashaad Fenton
- 34. L’Darius Sneed
- 35. Antonio Hamilton
- 36. Javaris Davis
- 37. Thakarius Keyes
Bashaud Breeland will likely start the season on the Reserve/Suspended list. Charvarius Ward and Rashaad Fenton are your obvious starters. Hamilton can step in, on the outside if Chiefs want Fenton in the slot. Alternatively Fenton can stay outside, with Alex Brown handling the slot role. Javaris Davis is a dark-horse candidate to win the starting slot job. He’s smaller than Steve Spagnuolo generally likes, but he’s incredibly fast, fluid, and competitive. If he can pick the defense up quickly, he has enough tools to thrive on the inside. Chiefs would probably like to keep Bopete Keyes and L’Jarius Sneed from early action, but Sneed could contribute, later in the year. Keyes is likely hoped to be a #4 CB, in 2021.
Defensive Ends (6)
- 38. Frank Clark
- 39. Alex Okafor
- 40. Taco Charlton
- 41. Breeland Speaks
- 42. Mike Danna
- 43. Tanoh Kpassagnon
K.C. has a couple developmental options to consider, but neither offers enough polish to force one of the favorites off the roster. Spags has to be thrilled to find Taco Charlton on the open market. His rapport with Frank Clark, along with his natural talent, makes it easy to envision a productive role for him. Alex Okafor is essentially, entering a contract year and the Chiefs are unlikely to retain him at his current cost and production in 2021. As Terez Paylor says: “the contract year is undefeated.” In such a year, you generally get the best possible production out of a player. Breeland Speaks and Tanoh Kpassagnon get the nod as guys who can rush from the inside, on passing downs. Mike Danna will contribute on STs, while he is developed as a pass rush specialist. If Tim Ward, or Demone Harris, show significant development and they could challenge Danna for his spot on the roster.
Linebackers (6)
- 44. Anthony Hitchens
- 45. Willie Gay
- 46. Damien Wilson
- 47. Darius Harris
- 48. Ben Niemann
- 49. Bryan Wright
The Chiefs have given up on Dorian O’Daniel, after back to back seasons in which he struggled to see the field (5 defensive snaps in 2019). Darius Harris provides depth behind Willie Gay. Ben Niemann plays well on special teams and has earned Steve Spagnuolo’s trust. K.C. is short on bigger LBs behind Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson. They may be looking to add a player through trade but, if they don’t, Bryan Wright is a good fit. He’s a tenacious player who loves football. He has good size and some coverage experience, though lacking the athleticism to do more than basic zone drops.
Defensive Tackles (4)
- 50. Derrick Nnadi
- 51. Chris Jones
- 52. Khalen Saunders
- 53. Mike Pennel
The Kansa City roster is deepest on the interior. Chris Jones is a star, and will remain with the team for at least this year. Mike Pennel and Derrick Nnadi are studs vs the run. Khalen Saunders began to adjust to NFL competition by the end of the year, and should be ready for a heavier role. His run defense will buy him a chance to see the field, but his freaky agility can also be showcased on Stunts and Twists.
Roster Projection Summary
Can a Chiefs team returning the bulk of their starters find room for five, new, Undrafted Free Agents? I think so, but that will largely depend on the health of Martinas Rankin, the length of Bashaud Breeland’s suspension, and whether Nick Allegretti can win the starting Center job. If everything goes according to plan, the Chiefs have a great opportunity to stock up on affordable depth. That could be huge, with a massive extension for Mahomes, and a potentially large contract for Chris Jones, on the horizon. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a couple players make the team, who aren’t currently on the roster, particularly at Safety and MIKE Linebacker.
Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne
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