Happy June, the least happy month of the NFL calendar. A time when Twitter gets cannibalistic, little NFL news happens, and the Chargers get picked to win the AFC West.
Brace yourself for the longest month of the year. It’s going to be a doozy. It always is with the lack of action.
There’s plenty of work to be done this offseason, but it’s worth examining now that the dust has cleared from the NFL Draft what the roster could look like. Roster crunches are real this year, as there are some talented players that could be on the outside looking in when it comes time to make tough choices for week one.
Here’s a way-too-early 53 man roster, a projected free agent addition, and some of the tougher cuts/practice squad candidates for your 2023 Chiefs.
Quarterback (3)
Patrick Mahomes, Blaine Gabbert, Shane Buechele
Would I keep three quarterbacks even with the new rules about allowing an emergency third quarterback to be activated in case of injury to the first two? No.
Do I think the Chiefs will? Yes. The Chiefs’ actions the last two seasons have shown you their belief in Buechele — fighting off teams the last two seasons by putting him on the active roster.
With some big number crunches at other positions, it’ll be tricky. I think they’ll still find a way to make it work.
Practice Squad Candidates: Chris Oladokun
Running Back (4)
Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince
Four running backs was a staple last season, and I could see the Chiefs collecting them again — especially considering the injury woes of this group. Pacheco, McKinnon, and Edwards-Helaire all have had varying injuries that have limited their availability over the last few years. It makes sense to keep a fourth, and Prince is a valuable, cost-controlled UDFA worth keeping around.
All that being said, I wouldn’t be stunned if there was interest in Edwards-Helaire via trade. He’s not the odd man out, but he’s definitely going to see a limited role within the structure of the room.
Practice Squad Candidates: Jerrion Ealy
Wide Receiver (6)
Kardarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, Justin Waton, Justyn Ross
You’re probably wondering where DeAndre Hopkins is. I don’t feel comfortable enough yet to say I believe he’ll wind up with the Chiefs. There are certainly obstacles in the way of the team acquiring him. The Chiefs have to shell out a massive contract to Chris Jones to create cap flexibility to sign Hopkins. The only other logical avenue is restructuring Kelce — which they could do but I’d be a little surprised.
All the moves above also require significant cash.
I’m keeping six on the initial roster with Richie James on the outside looking in. A sneaky candidate for a seventh wide receiver is UDFA Nikko Remigio with his return ability. He could get the nod over James.
Practice Squad Candidates: Remigio, James
Tight End (4)
Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Noah Gray, Jody Fortson
The fullback is gone for 2023, and the tight ends will be relied upon to handle the workload. There are a variety of strengths for Andy Reid to exploit on the depth chart beyond Kelce. Bell and Gray specifically have some ability to line up in the backfield, and even take quarterback sneaks.
Practice Squad Candidates: Matt Bushman
Offensive Line (9)
Donovan Smith, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Lucas Niang, Darrian Kinnard, Nick Allegretti, Wanya Morris
My early projections are a little heavy on the tackle side, but you could see Niang or Morris get some work on the interior to help support the depth of the group.
Jerome Carvin is a name to watch along the interior with some versatility at guard and center. He could be a real factor in the roster crunch decision. The problem is, where do you find the roster spot?
Practice Squad Candidates: Carvin, Austin Reiter, Mike Caliendo
Defensive End (6)
Charles Omenihu, George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, B.J. Thompson
Free Agent Addition: Frank Clark
The Chiefs have intriguing, young prospects at the EDGE spots, and Clark is the perfect complement and mentor for that group. Clark still has something left in the tank, and proved to be a leader in last year’s locker room for the likes of Karlaftis. He’d help bring along Anudike-Uzomah and Thompson while contributing on the field.
UDFA Truman Jones will remind fans of Danna and is worth monitoring. He could compete for a roster spot, and might have to alter the plans of the Chiefs to keep him. He might be claim-worthy if released.
Practice Squad Candidates: Jones, Joshua Kaindoh, Malik Herring
Defensive Tackle (4)
Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton, Keondre Coburn
The defense revolves around Jones, but there are able bodies to help along the interior. Wharton is back from injury as an interior disruptor and Nnadi and Coburn will provide valuable snaps on early downs.
Practice Squad Candidates: Danny Shelton
Linebacker (5)
Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr., Leo Chenal, Drue Tranquill, Isaiah Moore
This is a sneaky great linebacker group. The sum of the parts should present flexibility and ability to match up with any personnel grouping a defense presents. Tranquill is the best coverage player on the defense now and should be relied on to improve the defense on obvious passing downs.
Moore is another undrafted free agent worth paying attention. He’s an early down linebacker who plays similarly to Bolton. He’ll have to earn his stripes on special teams, but provides more value defensively than a player like Jack Cochrane.
Practice Squad Candidates: Cochrane, Cam Jones
Cornerback (5)
L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Nic Jones
The cornerback has become a strength of this team and provides a lot of depth. Jones can be a special teams contributor while developing with a young and talented secondary.
Practice Squad Candidates: Khalef Hailassie
Safety (4)
Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Mike Edwards, Chamarri Conner
Conner will have to earn special teams snaps to see the field early as he develops within the defense.
We’re classifying Nazeeh Johnson as a safety this season, and he’s a tough cut with his special teams value. Jones might provide more upside as a cornerback which is why he gets the nod in the cornerback room.
Practice Squad Candidates: Johnson
Specialists (3)
Harrison Butker, Tommy Townsend, James Winchester
Things are looking good.
https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1661538088219299840
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I would take off a QB (probably Buechele) and Kinnard. Add in Reiter and Nazeeh.
I like the idea of 26 /24 split. Interesting on who goes to injured list before cut downs in OL. I have 10 that they would like to keep but 1 of these being sent to IR ;Morris, Kinnard, Prince or Niang. Any of these OL players not protected will be poached by another team.