My 53 Man Roster Predictions
to Start 2018
by Paul Pulley
The Offensive Keepers
Quarterbacks (3):
- Patrick Mahomes
- Chad Henne
- Chase Litton
I think everyone is predicting these three to be the QBs for 2018. Litton has shown that he can handle the job and I thought it telling that he got playing time in week 3 instead of McGloin. I think it’s great that the Chiefs keep and develop young QBs that can be traded away a couple years down the road, similar to a Garoppolo, Brissett or McCarron.
The Chiefs keep a Fullback (1):
Anthony Sherman
No surprise here. Sherman doesn’t see a lot of snaps on offense but he is a stalwart on special teams, logging almost 75% of special teams snaps last year.
The Running Backs (4):
- Kareem Hunt
- Spencer Ware
- Damien Williams
- Darrel Williams
There isn’t any surprises here either, Hunt is unquestionably the starter with Ware most likely the first RB off the bench. Damien or Darrel have both shown good hands and either one or both can be used in the role of the recently departed Charcandrick West.
The Tight Ends (3):
- Travis Kelce
- Demetrius Harris
- Jace Amaro
- Alex Ellis
I believe the Chiefs will only keep three TEs, I listed four since Harris will be suspended the first game against the Chargers. Both Amaro and Ellis have good hands but I think Amaro does a little better job blocking and I am giving him the nod over Ellis but in all honesty, the Chiefs could go either way.
I do think the Chiefs will keep three TEs for that first game, the Chargers are well versed in the abilities of Kelce and even Harris, but they have little idea of what both Amaro and Ellis bring to the game, so this could actually be an advantage for KC when they use their 2 and 3 TE sets.
The Wide Receivers (6):
- Sammy Watkins
- Tyreek Hill
- Chris Conley
- Demarcus Robinson
- Marcus Kemp
- Gehrig Dieter
I’m going against the grain here, but I found it interesting that Jehu Chesson didn’t get any playing time versus the Bears. While De’Anthony Thomas has a couple of good returns, it’s been obvious that Tremon Smith is the primary kick returner. DAT brings some unique things to the game but I believe both Kemp and Dieter have a tremendous amount more upside as receivers.
The Offense Line (8):
- Mitchell Schwartz
- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
- Mitch Morse
- Cameron Erving
- Eric Fisher
- Andrew Wylie
- Jordan Devey
- Kahlil McKenzie
While there is no question who the starting five offensive linemen will be, the next 3 or 4 that the Chiefs keep could be up for debate. What I have witnessed this pre-season is Wylie getting a lot of work at both tackle positions and then getting the nod to start at RG in place of the injured LDT. In addition, Devey has taken all of his snaps at center and left guard. Between Wylie and Devey, they have gotten a ton of work at all five OL positions this pre-season. I find that telling.
I just don’t think the Chiefs will subject 6th round draft pick McKenzie to waivers, so I do think he will make the initial 53.
The Defensive Keepers
Defensive Line (5):
- Chris Jones
- Derrick Nnadi
- Xavier Williams
- Jarvis Jenkins
- Justin Hamilton
Yes, I know, I left Allen Bailey off this list. Bailey has missed the last two pre-season games and the DL has looked pretty darn good without him and to be quite frank, the salary cap will look a little better without him also. I believe the Chiefs can get by with only 5 men up front since they play well over half of their defensive plays with only two DL on the field anyway.
The Outside Linebackers (4):
- Justin Houston
- Dee Ford
- Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Breeland Speaks
We all know that Houston and Ford will be the starters at OLB, we have also seen this pre-season that Kpass and Speaks have gotten almost all the rest of the meaningful snaps. While it’s possible KC keeps five OLBs, I would guess Frank Zombo would be the fifth, but I am predicting they start the season with four.
The Inside Linebackers (6):
- Reggie Ragland
- Anthony Hitchens
- Ukeme Eligwe
- Terrance Smith
- Ben Niemann
- Dorian O’Daniel
While Hitchens and Ragland are without question the starters, O’Daniel will be given time to develop and Niemann has shown a lot of potential for a rookie UDFA. Both Smith and Eligwe have a lot of special teams value that can’t be overlooked.
I do think that if the Chiefs decide to keep 5 OLBs, then Eligwe would be the first guy off this list.
The Chiefs Safeties (4):
- Eric Berry
- Eric Murray
- Armani Watts
- Leon McQuay
Hopefully Berry is healthy, but even with and if Berry is 100%, this is still the weakest group on the team. Safety will probably be the focal point of Veach and his crew scouring the waiver wire for an improvement.
The Cornerbacks (6):
- Kendall Fuller
- Steven Nelson
- Orlando Scandrick
- David Amerson
- Tremon Smith
- Arrion Springs
- [Charvarius Ward]
We have one excellent (Fuller) and one good (Nelson) corner, but after that things become questionable. Amerson sure hasn’t played well (I was wrong on him) and Scandrick is too new yet to see what he can bring. With that being said, we have two rookies that have shown a lot of promise in Smith and Springs. I would not be surprised if Smith earns his way onto the field on defense, sooner rather than later.
One final note on the defense. As Ransom noted the other day in his roster article, Daniel Sorenson will have to be on the initial 53 in order to be placed on an injured list. I think Sorenson will be put on the PUP but that isn’t the point. One of the players on this list will have to be subjected to waivers in order for Sorenson to make the initial 53. That player, from my list, would probably be one of either Dieter, Ellis or Springs. I would choose Ellis, as I have him gone after week one anyway, but we will have to see what transpires.
Last but not least, Special Teams (3):
- Dustin Colquitt
- James Winchester
- Harrison Butker
This trio is a no brainer, these guys will be the specials for 2018.
Well, this is my guess as to how the 2018 starting roster will look. We will know for sure by 3 PM CDT time, Saturday. Players placed on waivers will have to be claimed by noon Eastern time on Sunday.
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