CHIEFS ROSTER PROJECTION: Players on bubble for Chiefs' 53-man roster

The Chiefs will have to move on from good football players at the final cutdown day. Who could they be?

Brett Veach has historically done a great job building depth and competition on his roster from player 1 to player 90. He’s found quality lottery tickets (undrafted and reserve/future contract players that have a legitimate chance of making the 53 man roster) throughout his tenure to build the bottom of his roster with cost-controlled players — identifying players like Charvarius Ward, Darrel Williams, Andrew Wylie and several more that have helped create depth and competition.

2021 is no different from a roster quality perspective at several positions — there are quality players that will create difficult decision for the organization at countdown day. Having quality players on the bubble is a good problem to have — but a problem nonetheless. Here are some of the candidates that could be on the bubble.

Running Back: Jerick McKinnon and Darwin Thompson

Both of these players could potentially be battling for one spot. If the Chiefs only keep three running backs, it’s likely either Thompson or McKinnon will not make it to week one. Special teams — advantage Thompson who has contributed in that aspect for the Chiefs. McKinnon is a more talented, productive player both run and pass — but with injury issues and a lack of much of a special teams background beyond the return game it could be an uphill battle for him.

Wide Receiver: Antonio Callaway, Gehrig Dieter, and Marcus Kemp

Some usual suspects and a new name into the mix. Callaway is a talented player that has dealt with off the field issues in his time in the NFL. If he proves during training camp that he’s been able to mature and grow past some maturity issues, he’ll see playing time on offense let alone make the roster. Kemp and Dieter are the usual suspects that will likely be around Kansas City even if they don’t make the initial 53. Both saw time on the gameday roster last season for small stretches during the year — a common occurrence with both players. Kemp has been lauded as a special teams player and Dieter has good rapport with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Tight End: Nick Keizer

The Chiefs were quick to bring back Blake Bell in free agency — a bad sign for Keizer considering they both operated very similarly within the offense the last two seasons. Add in the fact that rookie Noah Gray is a much more dynamic pass catcher and possesses a unique skill set, things could get dicey for Keizer. The Chiefs would likely need to keep four tight ends to save his spot on the week one roster.

Offensive Line: Nick Allegretti, Yasir Durant, Martinas Rankin

These three players are likely competing for the 11th offensive lineman on the roster — if the Chiefs choose to keep that many. Allegretti amassed 694 snaps on offensive last year and very well could be on the outside looking in at cutdown day. Veach’s aggressive correction of the offensive line has pushed a player that saw significant playing time last year onto the roster bubble.

Rankin and Durant are no slouches either. It speaks to the amount of talent and depth they’ve put on the offensive line. Rankin is a former top 100 pick who has been behind the eight ball with regard to injury history but has shown promise in his time in Kansas City. Durant held his own in a limited sample size his rookie year, but the former Missouri Tiger will have an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. Both of these players are likely to be scooped up to an active roster if they aren’t retained.

Defensive Tackle: Khalen Saunders

This one might sting a little for some. Saunders — a former top 100 pick of this regime — has struggled to see the field. Injuries have derailed parts of his season in his first two years but that isn’t the entirety of the story with his first two years. Saunders hasn’t been able to take a step — being surpassed in the rotation by undrafted rookie Tershawn Wharton last season. It was fun to see Saunders play linebacker in a pinch during the week 17 game — but also is that a positive sign for his development that a 2019 third round pick was getting pushed out of his natural position instead of giving him a chance to play? If they were prioritizing his opportunity, why not move someone else to let him get work at where you’ll need him in the future? Saunders is looking like the fifth defensive tackle on the roster — they have to keep five for him to stay.

Linebacker: Omari Cobb, Dorian O’Daniel, and Emmanuel Smith

O’Daniel hasn’t been able to carve out a role on defense in three years with the Chiefs and his spot on the 53 seems determined solely by special teams coordinator Dave Toub. There’s a defined top four (additionally Darius Harris seems on the right side of the bubble), and O’Daniel, Cobb and Smith are likely fighting for that final spot — with special teams a likely a key component in this battle.

Cornerback: DeAndre Baker, Mike Hughes, BoPete Keyes, Chris Lammons

Special teams roles and the number of corners they keep will determine a lot of the bottom of this position group. Baker isn’t a lock after suffering a season ending leg injury last year in the small sample size the Chiefs saw of him. His off-the-field issues made him available to the Chiefs in the middle of last season — and while there are hopes for the former first round pick there’s still a lot to be determined about his play. Hughes has talent that warranted a first round selection in 2018 but has struggled to stay healthy and has lacked consistency throughout his career. Keyes and Lammons have a leg up from a special teams perspective —with experience playing in that capacity for the Chiefs.

A veteran acquisition could also throw a wrench in this competition as well — a very real possibility with the lack of experience in the group.

Safety: Will Parks and Armani Watts

Parks is a post-draft addition that could be in the mix in the slot. He’s a veteran with plenty of NFL experience and has performed capably for stretches in his career. Watts has profiled mostly as a special teams only player and that will likely be the role he must carve to stick on the roster for the final year of his rookie deal.