Chiefs Final Roster Prediction
by Ransom Hawthorne
Chiefs roster is pretty well set, a couple days after the third preseason game. While the final game could decide one or two spots, it’s mostly a showcase for players to make practice squads, draw other team’s attention, or just get a few more reps under their belt. With that in mind, this is where I think Chiefs’ roster will set, to start the season.
Quarterbacks (3)
- 1. Patrick Mahomes
- 2. Chad Henne
- 3. Chase Litton
It’s close between McGloin and Litton. If they were battling it out for the #2 spot, McGloin would win. Since, however, the 3rd QB seems to be more about upside (think Tyler Bray), Litton should just edge out McGloin, due to his bigger arm. That said, don’t be surprised if Chiefs feel differently, as this battle is still really too close to call.
Running Backs (5)
- 4. Kareem Hunt
- 5. Spencer Ware
- 6. Damien Williams
- 7. Darrell Williams
- 8. Anthony Sherman
The Chiefs could well trade Spencer Ware to Chicago or the Redskins, before the season starts. If they don’t, I see them keeping five RBs this year. Darrel Williams will have an up-hill battle for snaps, this year, but with Ware and Damien scheduled to hit free agency in 2019, the Chiefs would be foolish to let the rookie go.
Wide Receivers (6)
- 9. Sammy Watkins
- 10. Tyreek Hill
- 11. Chris Conley
- 12. DeMarcus Robinson
- 13. DAT
- 14. Marcus Kemp
Last year, I thought I would lose my mind when Chiefs kept Wilson, but let Kemp go. Wilson ended up having a career year. Can DAT do the same? I don’t think so, and would rather have Dieter, but Chiefs will try to prove me wrong again. With Kerwynn Williams getting cut, the Chiefs need a backup at KR, and DAT is the best candidate. It’ll be pretty close between Kemp and Dieter as to who gets kept. Kemp has a slight edge on STs, while Dieter has an edge on offense. For now, I give the spot to Kemp, but it’s by no means locked in.
Tight Ends (2)
- 15. Travis Kelce
- 16. Alex Ellis
Ellis has made the roster. He’s been a consistent performer in preseason, showing good route running and soft hands. Amaro performed okay, but didn’t do enough to stick around once Harris comes back. With that in mind, the Chiefs might opt to go light at TE and keep an extra player elsewhere.
Special Teams
- 17. Dustin Colquitt
- 18. Harrison Butker
- 19. James Winchester
No surprises here.
Offensive Linemen (8)
- 20. Eric Fisher
- 21. Cameron Erving
- 22. Mitch Morse
- 23. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
- 24. Mitchell Schwartz
- 25. Andrew Wylie
- 26. Bryan Witzmann
- 27. Jordan Devey
I had assumed Chiefs would keep McKenzie on the roster, but if they plan on doing that, they should be getting him as many reps as possible. Last Saturday, he only logged 4% of snaps. I don’t like it, but I think Chiefs are going to let him test the waiver wire, and hope to sign him to the PS. Wylie has solidified his spot on the roster with solid play at multiple positions. I’m not a huge Devey fan, but Chiefs kept him last year and brought him back this year. With Erving starting at LG, they need a backup Center and that’s where Devey is listed. Offensive linemen take time to develop in today’s NFL, so going with an older crew may prove to be the smart move. This could come back to bite the Chiefs though, if Ryan Hunter or Khalil McKenzie get snapped up by other teams, before they hit the practice squad.
The Safeties (5)
- 28. Eric Berry
- 29. Eric Murray
- 30. Armani Watts
- 31. Leon McQuay
- 32. Daniel Sorenson
In order for Sorenson to come back, during the season, he’ll have to make the 53 man roster, initially. Once the Chiefs can put him on IR, they’ll add another DB, either from their own practice squad, or another team’s.
Cornerbacks (6)
- 33. Kendall Fuller
- 34. David Amerson
- 35. Steven Nelson
- 36. Orlando Scandrick
- 37. Tremon Smith
- 38. Arrion Springs
Fans will want to see Amerson cut, but the Chiefs are unlikely to move on from him just yet. Arrion Springs has shown enough potential that a CB starved team, like the Chiefs, will want to hang on to him. If he sees serious action, things will have gone horribly wrong, but as a last line of defense, you could do worse. Expect the starting 3 CBs to be: Fuller, Scandrick and Nelson. As long as Amerson is the 4th best CB on the team, he’ll be here, but once Tremon Smith is ready, Chiefs could cut him (Amerson) loose.
Outside Linebackers (4)
- 39. Justin Houston
- 40. Dee Ford
- 41. Tanoh Kpassagnon
- 42. Breeland Speaks
The top four are set, at OLB, but the 5th spot could get interesting. Zombo is a good STs player, and a valued veteran, he probably actually gets the spot, but I like McCray better. He’s got the size and athleticism to fit what Veach is looking for. UDFAs seldom turn out to be quality pass rushers, but I think he can contribute more, at a lesser price, than Zombo, at this point.
Inside Linebckers (5)
- 43. Anthony Hitchens
- 44. Reggie Ragland
- 45. Ben Niemann
- 46. Dorian O’Daniel
- 47. Ukeme Eligwe
Ben Niemann has to make the roster, which means someone else has to go. Terrance Smith has made a bigger impact on STs, than Eligwe, but Eligwe backs up Ragland, with Niemann backing up Hitchens. That could tilt things in his favor. O’Daniel has been coming along slower than expected, but will still be a major part of STs, while he gets up to speed.
Defensive Linemen (6)
- 48. Chris Jones
- 49. Allen Bailey
- 50. Xavier Williams
- 51. Jarvis Jenkins
- 52. Derrick Nnadi
- 53. Justin Hamilton
I may be alone in this, but I think the Chiefs DL depth is much better this year. While they may not get a huge push up the middle, guys like Williams, Nnadi and Hamilton have made a tremendous impact against the run. Jones, Bailey and Jenkins can provide a bit more pass rush. The Chiefs only have one real star of the group, but their ability to rotate will keep players fresh.
The defense has been worse than we all hoped, but we really should have expected that. Even with the same coach, this defense has basically undergone a rebuild. It’ll take time for all the new pieces to gel. That said, there are still way too many new pieces needed to have much optimism for the D, this year. The offense is stacked. The only real trouble on the horizon, to me, is Erving at LG. I don’t think he’s good enough, and I don’t expect him to get much better. If Reid and Heck decide to stick with him, come hell or high water, it could prove a thorn in the side of an, otherwise, elite offense. Go Chiefs.
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