Chiefs: Roster Thoughts and Puzzle Shots – It is now Roster Day +2 (R-Day +2) and General Manager Brett Veach has not made a move in (checks watch) a while now. So the Kansas City Chiefs roster is set until next Monday/Tuesday, when DAT is activated and someone deactivated. Since we have a momentary pause, it seemed a good time to toss out random roster thoughts and I’ll take a few shots at the roster puzzle.
The obvious observation everyone screams is, “We need another corner”… but I do not ascribe to that theory. Caveat: let’s play a couple of regular season games first, anyway we get Mo Claiborne for week 5 so, we do add another corner.
Offensive Puzzle Shots
Puzzle Shot #1 – the biggest head scratcher we all had, was the return of DAT and the ultimate displacement of Cody Thompson. DAT never fulfilled draft promises and is oft-injured, while Thompson appeared to be an up and comer. Thompson was an UDFA and the thing to remember about all UDFAs is that 32 teams passed in the draft 8x (7 rounds and 1 round of comp picks). Furthermore, the fact that Thompson cleared waivers and made the PS only proves that 31 teams failed to be impressed 9x about his overall potential. Sorry I hate being a downer.
Puzzle Shot #2 – signing LeSean McCoy with DTrain in the wings seems to be a development stopper. However, given the fact, that Damien Williams has never started a full season, DTrain is a rookie, and (my other brother) Darrel Williams is basically a rookie as well, the opportunity to add a seasoned All-Pro was too much to pass. My initial thought was this move stinks! But that opinion was jaded because I drafted Damien and Thompson in a fantasy league, and both had their value cut by 50%. Reality check: Great move by Chiefs and Shady. Both Damien and Shady will have fresh (or fresher) legs come December, when AR may decide to pound more often. DW and DT now get to apprentice under one of the best.
Puzzle Shot #3 – some wanted Thompson over Pringle, but I am high and continue to be high on Pringle. After Sammy and Kemp (now gone) Pringle is the biggest bodied WR we have, plus he can return kicks and punts. He made the team last year, knocking DAT off the roster, before going down in preseason #4 against Green Bay. I do favor K-State kids (mid-west homerism at it’s finest) but I think Pringle will be alright (especially in lieu of Drob being an FA next year) and possesses the requisite sub 4.5 speed.
Puzzle Shot #4 – TE#2 may be an issue with Bell and Yelder, each offering something the other does not, but when combined make a good TE. This is minor (except in light of all of us wanting Cody Thompson on the roster). The front office feels the position is still in flux, since Keizer was signed to the PS.
Puzzle Shot #5 – this is the default biggest puzzle not because of head scratching quantity but by sheer volume. Allen is added, McKenzie is making progress, Boyd and Murphy (well not enough progress), can Allegretti play C&G? Erving is…. what is he? McKenzie does not show enough improvement and is cut, Hunter shows more upside and is kept (yay!), Allen is cut then returns, Murray is cut then returns to the PS, Boyd and Murphy are cut, then Rankin is added on cut-down day. What a load!! We may still have 1 too many bodies, but must wait to see what Rankin brings to the table, then Cam may be a cut-down casualty (I think that’s what he is).
Offensive Summary
Experience won over hopeful upside. Hunter v. 2019 maybe McKenzie v. 2018, and Rankin adds experienced depth (albeit 1 year). DAT, Allen, Rankin, Yelder, Bell, Shady all add experience. Thompson, Keizer, Shurmur, Fortson hopefully make it through the season on PS so we get to see their growth next season. Kemp, Deiter, and Lovett have to heal and compete again next year.
Defensive Puzzle Shots
Puzzle Shot #1 – how is DOD still on the roster? I think that is on everyone’s mind. Something tells me 2019 is his red-shirt year to learn behind Darron Lee. He is also insurance for 2020 when Ragland will be gone and Lee may leave (although I hope Lee resigns).
Puzzle Shot #2 – “We need another corner.” Again we get Mo on Week 5 and Monday’s newly released depth chart showed Tremon Smith at CB (something I predicted would happen on Sunday night). Obviously, Mathieu and Thornhill will play CB in certain top secret disguised packages. Tremon was the 3rd best kick returner in the NFL last year, so he gets another red-shirt at CB. Fenton can return kicks and punts and started to come on strong late. Note: Veach will address corner in the 2020 draft with #1 or San Francisco’s #2 or both. If Spags was uncomfortable, another move would have been made.
Puzzle Shot #3 – Why wasn’t a camp body retained on the PS? This may actually be the greatest early roster question of all. Why grab 4 guys we know nothing about and exchange them for first hand knowledge guys. I can only assume that Miller and Wade had their chances and did not show enough progression.
Defensive Summary
Attaochu waited too long to make an impact, Kpass showed up, safeties will play CB, and we need 6 LBs. Ward and Harris get redshirts, and who knows about Reaser in 2020. Ogbah sticks due to experience, Niemann showed up again and with Lee, gives us 5 starting linebackers. Our top 3 CBs will hold the fort until Mo returns, Safety depth is outrageous, and the trenches can rotate bodies to stay fresh.
All and All, Overall
Experience appears to have won out, with some consideration to upside. Our roster is deep at almost every position, so we will have these types of questions for years to come. FA’s wanting to play in KC will be a new factor never experienced (see Shady). There are still 2 moves to make (1 in a week and another after week 4). Hopefully injury does not dictate a move. My bubble players to get cut after DAT and Mo return are: Erving, Yelder, Ivie, O’Daniel, and Tremon.
Time will tell. Until then, let’s get ready for some football! Think abundance, not lack! All will be well AO’ers!
David Perkins — ArrowheadOne
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