CHIEFS ROSTER PROJECTION: 53-man roster breakdown

A way too early look at the Chiefs' 53-man roster

We’ve been analyzing the Chiefs’ roster over the last month to identify the strengths, weaknesses, Lottery Tickets, and bubble players on the 90 man. It culminates today with an early projection of the 53-man roster.

I’ve scrapped a few different scenarios as I’ve worked through this process, but here’s where I’ve settled as of late-June.

Please note that practice squad rules from last season — increased number and wide range of players who qualify — are likely to remain.

Quarterback (2): Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne

This is a pretty cut and dry scenario. The Chiefs typically only carry two quarterbacks. Just count your lucky stars, Chiefs Kingdom.

Practice squad candidates: Shane Buechele and Anthony Gordon. The Chiefs gave Buechele some guaranteed money to be here — that’s telling of their opinion of him.

Running Back (4): Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson, Michael Burton

Darwin Thompson gets the nod over Jerick McKinnon because of special teams play. While McKinnon is a capable returner, Thompson has shown more special teams flexibility as a blocker and tackler.

Practice squad candidates: McKinnon. The veteran could be eligible under new rules — although a good preseason could see him get an opportunity elsewhere.

Wide Receiver (5): Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, Cornell Powell

The most talented player left off the roster in this scenario is Antonio Callaway — a player that caught 43 passes his rookie year and has struggled to find footing since.

Special teams is a critical factor at the bottom of the depth chart, and while Callaway is a proven NFL contributor from a talent perspective, how can you cater to that when he’s like the third option at best at receiver? There are four able bodied special teams players in the group I selected — Dave Toub is happy.

Practice squad candidates: Marcus Kemp, Gehrig Dieter, Daurice Fountain. The Chiefs will keep some of these guys around on the practice squad — Kemp would likely be one of the first to be called up from the practice squad.

Tight End (3): Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Noah Gray

I almost kept Nick Keizer on here — and if it weren’t for some uncertainty at other positions he might make it. This is not an endorsement, but rather an expectation. Keizer is a capable blocker and special teams contributor who just misses the cut.

I expect Noah Gray to have a bigger role than some may expect a 5th round pick to have.

Practice squad candidates: Keizer.

Offensive Line (11): Orlando Brown, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Kyle Long, Lucas Niang, Mike Remmers, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Austin Blythe, Trey Smith, Andrew Wylie, Nick Allegretti

ELEVEN offensive lineman? Yes. It’s happened before in Reid’s tenure and I expect it again. In a year where the Chiefs are aggressively correcting the issues that led to their demise, I think they play it safe and keep eleven. When you look at this list, it’s hard to argue the Chiefs don’t have eleven worth keeping.

Nick Allegretti played significant snaps, and is my last man in at this position. A testament to the depth of this group that’s been re-stocked by Brett Veach.

Practice squad candidates: Yasir Durant, Prince Tega-Wanogho, Darryl Williams. Durant was active at times for the Chiefs last year — he and the rest of this group are worth keeping around.

Defensive Line (10): Frank Clark, Taco Charlton, Mike Danna, Joshua Kaindoh, Tim Ward, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Jarran Reed, Tershawn Wharton, Khalen Saunders

This is a tough position to peg because of Chris Jones’ usage moving forward. The line has been blurred for his role on the team — do the Chiefs need more depth at defensive end or defensive tackle?

Khalen Saunders was close to not making my projection — but the Chiefs may not be ready to give up on him. And more depth on the interior wouldn’t hurt.

Practice squad candidates: Demone Harris, Malik Herring. I could see the Chiefs taking the PUP route with Malik Herring and give him a redshirt year like they did with Ward a few years back. I’d expect one or two of these guys to get called up at some point during the year.

Linebackers (5): Anthony Hitchens, Willie Gay Jr., Nick Bolton, Ben Niemann, Dorian O’Daniel

O’Daniel sticks over Darius Harris due to being a four core special teams player. He’s yet to see much of a role outside of “the hidden third” but he’s a Toub favorite. The group may be inexperienced with Gay Jr. and Bolton, but there is some reason for optimism this group can gel as the season progresses.

Practice squad candidates: Harris. He profiles as more of a SAM linebacker and it’s such a limited role. He would be an early call up if Gay Jr. or Bolton went down.

Defensive Backs (10): L’Jarius Sneed, Charvarius Ward, Rashad Fenton, Mike Hughes, DeAndre Baker, Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Dan Sorensen, Armani Watts, Devon Key

I’m buying the Devon Key buzz and adding him to the week one roster. His skillset should profile well as a special teams player and there are some similarities to he and Dan Sorensen. He could be the future at that role.

BoPete Keyes is on the outside looking in — a tough decision and the 54th player for me. There’s still promise there, but the Chiefs have added some players over him since he was drafted.

Practice squad candidate: Keyes and Will Parks. He showed he could play some special teams last year and has the length and ball skills to play well outside at cornerback. Parks has NFL experience — he could be a sleeper to replace Armani Watts should the Chiefs not prioritize special teams for that spot.

Specialists (3): Harrison Butker, Tommy Townsend, James Winchester

They’re people, too.