Chiefs: What Will Be Done
With This Roster?
by David Bell | December 6, 2018
These will be the times that try the souls of fans. By the time we get there, the fans will know the height that the 2018 Chiefs can rise and will plumb whatever depth that football fate will deliver. This is a glimpse of the Kansas City Chiefs 2019 Roster. It is certainly an incomplete list. Certain players may be released that are on this list but it is a standard formulation.
To begin to take a look, we need to see the likely roster retention players as it stands and before spring arises, before the Combine, Pro-Days, and Free Agent signings. A number of players are “Understood.” There are huge holes on Defense that remain, and due to this, I think GM Brett Veach has his work cut out for himself.
2019 Players and Numbers that are likely assured. There are many other players under contract but these are the most important among them. Most of those UC (Under Contract) status have a cap hit of less than $1M.
As you can see below, for example, TE Demetrius Harris is not under contract. I left out Kahlil McKenzie who will make the roster continuing his rookie cost.
The following provides the players and their cost to retain. Estimates were provided for free agents. It is my view that the 4 OLB’s listed will all be retained. I listed 5 ILB’s. Other examples? Still shown is Eric Murray. Not shown is Ron Parker. I don’t think the Chiefs will retain Murray either but he is a less costly safety. From this list, you can extrapolate the weak areas and figure on the focus of the draft. Cornerback, Safety, ILB, and now, RB will be areas of need. I’m not sold on RB Charcandrick West returning again for example. Damien Williams is a question mark for me as well. There are promising players in this mix and room for growth from that group. For example, Gehrig Dieter is very likely to be retained in 2019. I am not sure Robinson will be. I like Conley and think he is a solid #3 WR.
Tight end remains a question but I see Harris as making blocks and catches and that tells me he will return. I know many don’t see it that way but I would give you the Oakland game as an example. Surely, go ahead and find that TE that you would sign or draft. We need at least 3 on the active Roster.
The Up and Comers?
Corner Tremon Smith, Safety Armani Watts. Offensive Linemen Austin Reiter and Andrew Wylie.
ILB remains a mystery for me: the problem is DC Bob Sutton and his defense sets. I have hope that Ben Niemann continues to develop. Due to how the set are called, Sutton gives up too much against the run and stacks the deck against LBs. Draft an ILB? Absolutely. We need an ILB that has the length to cover over the middle and we don’t have one. This is my top draft need: 6-2 or 6-3 240 with speed. Wow. That’s a tall order.
Here are the players:
The Defensive Roster
Outside Linebackers
- Justin Houston UC – $21.1M
- Dee Ford F/A – Est. – $12M
- Breeland Speaks UC – $1.386M
- Tanoh Kpassagnon UC – $1.179M
Inside Linebackers
- Reggie Ragland UC – $1.26M
- Anthony Hitchens UC – $9.5M
- Dorian O’Daniel UC – 798K
- Terrance Smith F/A – Est. $1M
- Ben Niemann UC – 572K
Defensive Backs/Safeties
- Eric Berry UC – 16.5M
- Dan Sorensen UC – 4.69M
- Armani Watts UC – 738K
- Eric Murray UC – 838K
Nose Tackles/Defensive Tackles
- Xavier Williams UC – 3.42M
- Derrick Nnadi UC – 892K
3-4 Defensive Ends
- Allen Bailey F/A – Est. 9M
- Chris Jones UC – 1.983M
Defensive Backs/Cornerbacks
- Kendall Fuller – UC – 750k
- Steven Nelson UC – Est 2M
- Tremon Smith UC – 618K
- Orlando Scandrick F/A – Est. 3M
- Charvarius Ward UC – 570k
The Offensive Roster
Wide Receivers
- Tyreek Hill UC – 797K
- Sammy Watkins UC – 19.2M
- Chris Conley F/A – Est. 2M
- Demarcus Robinson UC – 859K
Offensive Tackles
- Eric Fisher UC – 13.1M
- Mitch Schwartz UC – 8M
Offensive Guards
- Cameron Erving UC – 3.18M
- LD-T UC – 8.2M
- Andrew Wylie UC – 570k
Offensive Center
- Mitch Morse F/A – Est. 3M( I think he will not be retained)
- Austin Reiter F/A – Est. 875K
- Swing/T?Swing/Interior?
The Quarterbacks
- Patrick Mahomes UC – 4.8M
Running Backs
- Darrel Williams UC – 570K
- (Ware, Williams and West are Free agents to be re-signed)
Tight Ends
- Travis Kelce UC – 9.968M
Special Teams
- Dustin Colquitt punter, UC – 2M
- James Winchester LC, UC – 930K
- Harrison Butker PK, F/A – Est? 1M
You may determine that I am missing a key player. Please respond with whom that is and why he is crucial for 2019. That input would be appreciated.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne