Some will call it the bubble, and some will say certain players are in danger of not making the final 53 man roster. However, you can also characterize these players as living on the edge and in the cross-hairs. Without naming who I think will be on the 53 man roster, I’ll share the Chiefs top names who will be playing for their (NFL) lives in mandatory mini-camp this week and training camp next month.
5. Punter Dustin Colquitt
The continued presence if Will Monday on the roster would indicate that Colquitt is in danger of being cut or traded before the season begins. Three offseasons ago John Dorsey brought in Cairo Santos to compete with Ryan Succop so this could well be a sign especially since so many have anticipated that the Chiefs could use the cap savings that would come with Colquitt’s exit.
4. Tight End Demetrius Harris
Harris legal troubles and bad hands are a dangerous combination for him. However, I thought he would already have played his last game as a Chief but here he still is chugging away. The signing and performance of Gavin Escobar has been positive for the Chiefs but negative for Harris. Head Coach Andy Reid appears to savor developmental tight ends who once played basketball and the presence of Ross Travis and trade of James O’Shaughnessy may make Harris the odd man out.
3. ILB Justin March-Lillard
Justin March-Lillard has spent the better part of the past two seasons — his only two seasons — on the Injured Reserve list and unavailable to help the Chiefs defense. The Chiefs have had a number of training-camp-wonders who never were able to make it during the regular season and there’s a good chance JML could fall into that category. ALl that needs to happen is for him to get hurt again this season and miss a major portion of the year. If that happens in training camp….
2. Running Back Charcandrick West
When the Chiefs drafted RB Kareem Hunt from Toledo this year it could have signaled the end for West. Charcandrick was the Chiefs starter in 2015, two short years ago… but could be looking for a job following camp. With Spencer Ware, Anthony Sherman, Kareem Hunt, and C.J. Spiller are all looking like a lock… West could be on the outside looking in. West appears to be one of those backs who needs more reps to improve his averages which dipped dramatically in 2016. His 293 yards of rushing production last year may have been the impetus that John Dorsey needed to draft Hunt and with Hunt on the roster West doesn’t look like he’ll be getting more reps… the reps he needs to succeed.
1. OL Jah Reid or Zach Fulton
In an odd turn of events (over a two year period) the Chiefs are seeing themselves deeper on the offensive line than at any point in Andy Reid and John Dorsey’s tenure. Consequently, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they decide to go with one of their promising developmental linemen instead of keeping Reid or Fulton. If they want to save some money for the cap they’ll cut Reid and if they are liking an interior lineman like Damien Mama. Jordan Devey or Bryan Witzmann could be that replacement lineman as well. In any event a number of OL will end up on the practice squad.
The next couple of months will be intriguing in Chiefs-ville. Who do you think is breathing their last breath in a Chiefs uniform?
In other news: the Chiefs signed a good defensive lineman who can help give them another player to join the DL rotation in 30 year old Cam Thomas. Ever since the Chiefs let both Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard go this offseason, I’ve been saying the Chiefs are thin in depth along the DL. Thomas presence gives the Chiefs the chance to have potentially a dominating DL. Pro Football Focus once pegged Thomas as a “Secret Superstar” although that was several years ago. If the Chiefs can reinvigorate Thomas’ career the whole defense could get a boost. Cam Thomas ranked 41st in the league vs the run in 2016. That’s better than all other Chiefs 2016 DL except Chris Jones.
.
If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-on-the-edge-and-in-the-crosshairs/#disqus_thread)