Peeking at the Logical Position Groups on Defense For the Final 53-Man Roster

Peeking at the Logical Position Groups on Defense For the Final 53-Man Roster

David Bell

The Chief’s Preseason ends on Thursday Night when they face the Green Bay Packers. I have watched specific newcomers throughout Training Camp and the pre-season games. As the world turned, several players appeared to me to have snared a roster spot. Let’s begin by taking a look at the IDL.

IDL (5 Roster, 1 PS)

Khalen Saunders has earned his stripes. I was very doubtful that he would be retained, but he has played well in camp and preseason games. So, he’s played his way into a roster roll. I believe the IDL will be comprised of:

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Chris Jones

Derrick Nnadi

Danny Shelton

Khalen Saunders

Turk Wharton

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Perhaps Taylor Stallworth makes it? It is my view that Matt Dickerson will go to the PS. This group can stop the run when it all comes together, especially with Saunders and Shelton manning the interior. Laddie mentioned that there is likely to be improved pocket pressure from the IDL, and indeed, Chris Jones will once again be among the league leaders from the DT role.

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Defensive Ends (5 Roster, 1 PS)

The position group has been a hodge-podge of potential. However, I see that position group falling into place:

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Frank Clark

Carlos Dunlap

George Karlaftis

Mike Danna

Malik Herring

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Herring nudges out Josh Kaindoh, who goes to the PS once again. Herring has shown that he belongs on the roster with his snaps among the starters while Joshua Kaindoh has not. Frank Clark is a “New & Improved” version of himself, and George Karlaftis is improving with each outing. His motor never quits and I love his aggressive game. Carlos Dunlap has nothing to prove for me, and he was held out vs. the Commanders due to an Achilles heel tenderness. I don’t think Dunlap will play vs. the Packers.

Linebackers (5 Roster, 2 PS)

This is the strongest LB group I can recall.

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Nick Bolton (Green Dot)

Willie Gay

Leo Chenal

Elijah Lee

Darius Harris

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These appear to be players not to cut. A surprise for me is that — unless the Chiefs keep 6 LBs — Jermaine Carter, Jr. will end up being released. What little I saw of Carter didn’t impress me at all. When Veach went to sign him, I had big plans for the LB group — but that has changed in the process of training camp and the preseason games. Jack Cochrane and Mike Rose will be retained on the PS unless, for some reason, Dave Toub feels that either player is needed for special teams and he can convince Andy Reid that one of them needs to be on the final roster. I didn’t see anything that led me to believe this was the case.

Safeties (4 Roster, 2 PS)

I rolled with the safety group before the CBs because I think the group is well defined and extremely capable. Since arriving at the Kingdom, and have become a believer that he is a perfect fit as a leader and safety that will erase memories of Tyrann Mathieu.

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Justin Reid

Juan Thornhill

Bryan Cook

Deon Bush

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Besides Justin Reid, Juan Thornhill re-emerges as a crucial part of the back-end, and from what we’ve seen thus far, he is working to fulfill his prediction for himself (a Pro Bowl year). Juan is also taking on a leadership role. The Chiefs drafted Bryan Cook, giving me a 3-man rotation out of the gate. Cook is one of my player crushes from the draft. Deon Bush has made his case for a spot on the roster–his experience and aggressiveness fit the Spagnuolo Defense, so, he’s the #4 Safety for the roster. I liked Devon Key and also Zayne Anderson as viable roster players. Still, I think both are placed on the PS.

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Cornerbacks (6 Roster, 2 PS)

The starting pair of CBs will be L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie. Everything I watched in the pre-season games tells me that the initial prediction is spot on about McDuffie, and I am solidly in Sneed’s camp. It’s the next man up when 3 CBs are called to the fore for the defensive set that some pundits question who the 3rd CB will be. Unless Rashad Fenton struggles with his groin strain, he will be the 3rd CB.

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L’Jarius Sneed

Trent McDuffie

Rashad Fenton

Joshua Williams

Jalen Watson

Chris Lammons

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At this point, I have no doubts about Fenton. Getting the following three players lined up is where the real player battles appear to me to be. I like what Joshua Williams has brought to the position group. If Fenton can’t go at any point in time, Williams is the real deal. His play in the two preseason games thus far convinces me he is a solid #4 at worst. He may overtake Fenton as the season progresses. CB #5 is Jalen Watson. In camp and preseason games, he has played well and has been a playmaker. Recall that Watson was on my “to-draft list” before the draft. Sure, he was a later-round pick. Sure enough, Veach brought him aboard in the 7th round. I was sure in my mind that he would go in the 4th or 5th round. [See more on Watson’s impact in my next article.] I am not a fan of Chris Lammons, but Dave Toub is big on him for Special Teams. Lammons will make the roster based on that. Besides, he impressed a few observers with his late interception, which resulted in Fleet-Davis’s TD late in the game at Arrowhead. Nasir Green and Dicaprio Bootle go to the PS. I don’t know much about Brandin Dandridge. He played well against the threes and Fours vs. the WFT. Maybe they keep 3 CBs on the PS.

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Thus Far?

As I have laid it out, that is 25 defensive players for the Active Roster and 8 players for the Practice Squad. Of course, we must get beyond the game against the Packers and the following practices leading up to week one’s game against the Cardinals. It is my view that the players on Defense are going to immediately be a solid set of players for each position group.

I want to see more from the non-starters in the mix. Thursday Night should be the final Tale. The Chiefs will cut five more players tomorrow (today: including CB Brandin Dandridge, S Nasir Greer, OL David Steinmetz – who have already been released on Monday) to get to 80 players on the roster. Many exciting stories are unfolding by the end of the day on Thursday.

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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