Chiefs: Projecting a Roster for 2020 – 1.0

Chiefs: Projecting a Roster for 2020 – 1.0 – with a specific emphasis on starters at each position, here’s how the Chiefs roster might be formed this year. The groupings also include subs where appropriate and this is a more difficult task than you might think as it is an extremely early version of the 55 man roster. This is my first version of what I anticipate the opening day roster will look like.

On Offense

Quarterbacks (3)

• • Patrick Mahomes
  • Chad Henne
  • Kyle Shurmur and Jordan Ta’Amu compete for #3, one player to the PS

The Backfield (2 FB, 4 RB’s)

• • FB – Anthony Sherman, John Lovett (should see expanded hybrid role)
  • RB – Damien Williams, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson
  • RB – An unknown player, or possibly Elijah McGuire

Tight End (3)

• • Travis Kelce
  • Deon Yelder
  • Nick Keizer
  • John Lovett (listed twice)

Wide Receivers (6)

Receivers XYZ notation is included but the diversity of the WR group makes it universally difficult to assign a role since all receivers are booked for all positions. Keep in mind, TE is a Y with Kelce on the field. You often have only a single or empty backfield, with all others, including 2 or 3 TE sets with potential. The Chiefs have used formations where the line is unbalanced with an OT eligible. The Chiefs second Z from the 11 personnel extensively. Reid’s offense is truly Hybrid of the West Coast.

• • WR#1(X) – Ty Hill
  • WR#2 (Z) – Mecole Hardman 
  • WR#3 (Z2) – Byron Pringle
  • WR #4 – Gehrig Dieter
  • WR #5 – Felton Davis and Jody Fortson compete

Note: Assumption: Watkins is traded or released

Offensive Line (10) (the 10th is the special case sub in the new CBA)

• • LOT – Eric Fisher
  • Sub OT – Ryan Hunter
  • LOG – Andrew Wylie
  • OC – Austin Reiter or Nick Allegretti (both earmarked for OC but Allegretti is listed as a Guard)
  • ROG – Martinas Rankin (assumption: LDT is traded or released)
  • ROT – MitchelL Schwartz
  • SW/T – Mike Remmers (Remmers might also have been brought aboard for OG)

Notes: Rankin, Remmers, Senat play G or T, Ryan Hunter G, Jackson Barton, OT

On Defense

Defensive Line (9)

• • LDE – Alex Okafor, Tanoh Kpassagnon
  • LDT – Chris Jones, Khalen Saunders
  • RDT – Derrick Nnadi, Breeland Speaks
  • NDT – Mike Pennel
  • RDE – Frank Clark
  • Unknown DL – draft pick, UDFA, or F/A
  • Edge: Demone Harris

Linebackers (6)

• • SILB – Damien Wilson
  • MIKE – Anthony Hitchens
  • WILL –  Ben Niemann
  • Speed/pass Coverage LB – Dorian O’Daniel (I question his value other than special teams)
  • LB: Darius Harris (unsure of his fit to the roster)

Notes: Because I so ardently believe the Chiefs need a 3 down, play-making LB, the above will shift according to a pick made in the draft, which would shift the player personnel accordingly.

Cornerbacks (6)

• • SCB – Rashad Fenton – slot
  • LCB – Charvarius Ward
  • RCB – Draft pick/Free Agent
  • Depth CB – Antonio Hamilton
  • Roster CB – Chris Lammons
  • Depth CB – Unknown,  a 6th CB from Free Agency or the 2020 Draft

Note: In this view: LCB is a draft pick, Fenton becomes the slot CB. Keep in mind though, that in the  Spagnuolo defense, Safety/Cover hybrids are used (in 2019, Tyrann Mathieu was used in the CB role for nearly half of his snaps). A second Depth CB addition is needed to make the 6 player group.

Safety (5)

• • Hybrid SS/CB/Box role – Tyrann Mathieu
  • Hybrid SS/CB/LB – Daniel Sorensen
  • FS – Juan Thornhill
  • SS/FS – Armani Watts
  • Depth S – Unknown draft pick, UDFA, or F/A

Note: if Mathieu is used more in the CB role, then the Chiefs need to figure out who might take on the role that subs for either CB or S (Kendall Fuller’s utilization late in the season is an example). The Chiefs need new blood here, especially if Mathieu’s snaps are used in the CB role. This group requires that the 5th man be added.

SPECIALISTS (3) 

• • LS – James Winchester
  • PU – Dustin Colquitt
  • PK – Harrison Butker
  • PR – unassigned at this time
  • KR – unassigned at this time

Note: If Hardman is WR#2, PR and KR specialist is needed.

Overall Notes

The list exceeds the total roster limit. I counted an additional Offensive and Defensive line player as well as 6 WR’s the number exceeds the actual roster limit of 55 players. Numbers can shift due to player versatility to create the appropriate roster for the game day roster which is now 48.

The active game roster will be determined each week according to need and the foe being faced. The list of roster players includes the unknowns where I believe top Draft Choices will fill positions and be immediate contributors. The remaining roster provides a view of the players who are contributors to the best extent possible.

I have not projected any PS players except for one of two QB’s either Shurmur or Ta’Amu. There is a 12 player practice squad limit in 2020.

The above view is constructed without LDT, Sammy Watkins, and Bashaud Breeland, but Chris Jones is retained. There are to be more cuts to come and/or Chiefs Free agents not retained. Chris Jones will likely be signed to a long term contract.

The Chiefs top two needs in F/A signing are LB and CB followed by the OL. If none are selected this “needs list” moves to the draft. Depending on the outcome of the signing of Chris Jones, dependencies will come into play based on that. I have also determined that in the right circumstance with the Veach board, a WR, RB or TE can likely be expected in what are viewed as the secondary needs for the draft. 

As far as skilled position players are concerned, the need is to alway feed to the mix, players who are targets or protection for Patrick Mahomes. Whatever occurs in the next weeks will be interesting and hopefully it continues to upgrade all player positions and keep the feed operating for Reid’s Hybrid West Coast Offense. Your comments and feedback are welcome.

David Bell — ArrowheadOne

Come back at noon (CST) today to read David Bell’s piece called:

“Who Might the Chiefs Pursue Among Remaining Free Agents?”

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-draft-analysis-projecting-a-roster-for-2020-1-0/#disqus_thread)