247 website . Chiefs Roster projections.

[Chiefswinitall 60]

https://247sports.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/ContentGallery/Kansas-City-Chiefs-53-man-roster-projection-Preseason-Week-1-120566016/#120566016_2

 

Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster projection: Preseason Week 1

ByKirk Larrabee Aug 10, 5:15 PM

•  
•  
•  
•  

0

The first Kansas City Chiefs preseason game is in the books, and with that, let's take our latest guess at where things stand with 53-man roster spots.

There's still plenty of time for players to make their case and a lot of football left to be played this preseason. But it's not too early to start to guess how some battles are taking shape and which players are starting to emerge. 

Things are still unsettled at the third quarterback spot, although maybe one of the competitors is making a move. At running back, wide receiver, and tight end, the fight for the final roster spots is still in its early phases but things are clearer than they were a month ago.

On defense, the safety position was thrown for a loop recently with the injury to Daniel Sorensen, which changes things a bit there. And at cornerback, a rookie or two may be starting to stand out from the crowd. 

Here's a look at our latest projections. We'll take another look or two as the preseason proceeds and the 53-man roster cut deadline (September 1) approaches. 

SLIDE 1 of 11

Quarterback (3): Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Chase Litton

Chase Litton (Photo: Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)

If the choice were made today, it feels like the number three spot should go to the undrafted rookie Litton. He's shown enough to warrant getting the nod over McGloin, who chances are could remain available if the Chiefs needed to add quarterback help down the road. Litton already looks like he could be a better third option than Tyler Bray was, and if he continues to make plays the rest of the way it'll be hard to let him go in favor of McGloin. Henne reportedly hasn't always looked good at camp, but there's still no question he's safely the number two quarterback at the moment. Overall, the depth situation here could be worse, but there's no question the Chiefs need Patrick Mahomes to stay healthy and perform to have a successful season. 

SLIDE 2 of 11

Running back/Fullback (5): Kareem Hunt, Spencer Ware, Damien Williams, Kerwynn Williams, Anthony Sherman

Damien Williams (Photo: Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)

For the most part, this roster projection doesn't go too far out on a limb except for maybe here. Damien Williams and Kerwynn Williams should be able to provide valuable depth at running back and on special teams, and do it for cheaper than Charcandrick West, who has been sidelined for several days with a concussion. But it's still tough to say how this will all turn out until Ware sees the field. Things could certainly change if everyone gets healthy and gets a chance to create a sample size in games. For now though, we like the thought of this these two Williams being on the roster, with the third (undrafted rookie Darrel Williams) on the practice squad. 

SLIDE 3 of 11

Wide receiver (6): Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson, Jehu Chesson, De'Anthony Thomas

De'Anthony Thomas (Photo: Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)

This is the same six that were selected for our post-minicamp projection, although Thomas feels like he could be on the bubble before long, if he isn't already. There's a lot of competition here and enough players capable of filling Thomas' shoes in the return game to think the Chiefs could choose to look elsewhere. Hill, Watkins, and Robinson are probably the surest things at this point, while Gehrig Dieter, Marcus Kemp, and Byron Pringle could be next in line if Thomas can't secure a spot. The battle is still to be won and will be decided in the weeks ahead. Thomas, who missed the first preseason game, will need to be on the field in upcoming preseason games to make a case. 

SLIDE 4 of 11

Tight end (3): Travis Kelce, Jace Amaro, Alex Ellis (Demetrius Harris takes a spot after suspension)

Demetrius Harris (Photo: David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)

At this point, Demetrius Harris looks to safely be the number two tight end. He'll get a roster spot after returning from his one-game suspension (violating the league's policy on substance abuse) to start the season. The number three spot is still up for grabs between Amaro and Ellis, who could both make the roster to start the season, or the Chiefs could move forward in Week 1 with just two tight ends while using the other spot to save someone from waivers. Both Amaro and Ellis have the potential to be a serviceable number three, while Tim Wright is also in the mix but seems to be a step behind. None of them will have enough to pass up Harris, who despite some imperfections over the years is a safe bet. 

SLIDE 5 of 11

Offensive line (8): Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz, Cam Erving, Mitch Morse, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Parker Ehinger, Bryan Witzmann, Jordan Devey

Cam Erving (Photo: Tim Warner, Getty)

We feel pretty good about these top seven making the roster, although that last spot, if the Chiefs keep eight linemen, is up for grabs. Devey gets the nod at the moment simply because he's got experience and versatility and there hasn't quite been anyone who has jumped up to seize that spot, but it's still early. Fisher, Schwartz, Morse, and Duvernay-Tardif are locked into starting spots, with Erving and Ehinger seemingly battling it out for the left guard spot and Witzmann, who started last year, in the mix as well. Who starts there as well if the Chiefs go with a rookie such as Kahlil McKenzie for the final roster spot are the remaining questions at this position. 

SLIDE 6 of 11

Defensive line (5): Chris Jones, Xavier Williams, Allen Bailey, Jarvis Jenkins, Derrick Nnadi

Chris Jones (Photo: Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports)

Right now the projection here is for five player, although there could certainly be a sixth to come out of this group. At this point it's unclear who it would be. Mike Purcell and Justin Hamilton led the defensive line in snaps during the first preseason game; both of them bring a good amount of NFL experience to the table. T.Y. McGill is another candidate who has experience and has shown flashes in each of his NFL stops. Last year the Chiefs brought in Roy Miller during training camp to round out their defensive line, but the guess here is they'll go with what they have this time around. 

SLIDE 7 of 11

Outside linebacker (5): Justin Houston, Breeland Speaks, Dee Ford, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Frank Zombo

Tanoh Kpassagnon (Photo: Peter G. Aiken, Getty)

The top four are locks, with Houston and Ford set in the starting lineup and Speaks and Kpassagnon set as the backups. Zombo, who is in his sixth season with the Chiefs, is on the bubble. He's on our list simply out of liking the thought of having a fifth here, especially one with experience and special teams ability, but he's also a candidate to be taken off in future projections. With Kpassagnon emerging after somewhat of a developmental season, it seems more and more likely he and Speaks will take backup reps. "Both those guys are learning that position, but KP I thought showed signs (in the first preseason game) of being better than what he was last year,” head coach Andy Reid said Friday, per Chiefs.com.

SLIDE 8 of 11

Inside linebacker (5): Reggie Ragland, Anthony Hitchens, Dorian O'Daniel, Ukeme Eligwe, Terrance Smith

Terrance Smith (Photo: Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)

 

Terrance Smith is another player who could wind up being on the bubble and could get passed up by someone like undrafted rookie Ben Niemann. At this point, Niemann seems a good bet for the practice squad if he doesn't make the roster. He's coming off a five-tackle showing against the Texans in preseason game one including a big drive-stopping tackle on a fourth down. Ragland and Hitchens are locked in the starting spot, while Eligwe has emerged as the third inside linebacker during training camp. O'Daniel has been nicked up recently but can also be considered a roster lock at this point. 

SLIDE 9 of 11

Cornerback (5): Steven Nelson, Kendall Fuller, David Amerson, Tremon Smith, Arrion Springs

Tremon Smith (Photo: Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images, Getty)

Heading into camp, there was a large amount of uncertainty behind Nelson, Fuller and Amerson when it came to which players would make the roster. The one player more than any other who has emerged as a likely lock is the sixth-round pick Smith, who is currently a second-teamer at cornerback and is projecting as one of the team's return specialists. Smith still has some development ahead of him as he makes the leap from FCS school Central Arkansas, but he's shown enough so far to think a roster spot is his to lose.

"He just needs to play," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Smith on August 10, per Chiefs.com. "Coming from Central Arkansas, that’s a different speed, but he has tremendous ability and really showed and was impressive in coverage stuff. And his return game, he was very solid in the return game. I mean, he almost popped one of them, he was very, very close on it.

The nod past that goes to Arrion Springs, an undrafted rookie who has shown well since offseason workouts. But as is the case with other roster battles, there's still time for this to change. 

SLIDE 10 of 11

Safety (5): Eric Berry, Eric Murray, Armani Watts, Robert Golden, Leon McQuay (Daniel Sorensen to Injured Reserve, to eventually return)

Daniel Sorensen (Photo: Peter G. Aiken, Getty)

With Daniel Sorensen (knee) on the shelf past the start of the season, Leon McQuay heads off the bubble and onto the roster, at least for now. Perhaps the Chiefs could add someone from the outside, but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave a very Andy Reid-esque answer on August 10 when asked if Sorensen's replacement was currently on the roster, saying (per Chiefs.com), “Yeah, there’s a chance, yeah. Like I said, we feel pretty good about our young guys, we just got to see how it goes.”

Assuming the Chiefs go with what's already there, it would be safe to say Murray, Watts and Golden join Berry, while McQuay is kept for depth until Sorensen returns. 

"We have some good young guys who we feel pretty comfortable about at that position, Murray, and obviously EB didn’t play last night, and McQuay really was coming on before he got banged up there," Reid said. "We feel pretty good at that spot.”

SLIDE 11 of 11

Specialists (3): Harrison Butker, Dustin Colquitt, James Winchester

Harrison Butker (Photo: Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)

Seems like good news so far for the Chiefs in this area, as both Butker and Colquitt are having good preseasons. Butker is coming off an outstanding rookie season and seems set to be a reliable leg for the Chiefs once again this season. 

"He’s done very well," Reid said on August 8, per Chiefs.com. "It’s hard coming back when expectations are high. Now it’s a little different deal. You have to calm the storm and make sure you stay with your fundamentals and techniques. He does pretty good with that. He’s had a good camp."

[jetlord 10,210]

I'd rather see Kemp or Pringle than DAT, but Andy gets the big bucks for making those choices.  The rest seems about right although a few more performances by Nieman like last game will make it hard to keep him off the roster.

[DieHard 2,061]

DAT will likely not be here. They didn’t even play Chesson or DAT on offense (DAT at all in the first half) which suggests to me Chesson is safe purely for his ply as gunner and upside as a WR. DAT not getting a chance to looks like longer looks at Kemp, Deiter, Pringle, etc. for the last spot. 

 

Chesson looked very solid again at gunner. That kid is going no where IMO.