Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster projection: Where things stand after three padded training camp practices
The Kansas City Chiefs have already completed eight of their 19 training camp practice sessions.Before you know it the preseason will arrive, and suddenly Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season will be on our doorsteps. Before I head out to St. Joe to get a look at practices and the 90-man offseason roster firsthand, I'm […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have already completed eight of their 19 training camp practice sessions.
Before you know it the preseason will arrive, and suddenly Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season will be on our doorsteps. Before I head out to St. Joe to get a look at practices and the 90-man offseason roster firsthand, I'm going to attempt to project the 53-man roster and practice squad again. Our last projection occurred shortly after the 2024 NFL draft.
What will the final iteration of the team look like come September following roster cuts? Let's find out.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2024 draft picks. Players with double asterisks (**) are reported 2024 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
On the 53-man roster: Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz
Practice squad: Ian Book and Chris Oladokun
Cut: None
How we got here: The writing remains on the wall for this group. Surprisingly, I could see the Chiefs keeping both Book and Oladokun on the practice squad. Oladokun's athletic ability is of major value to the scout team's defense, but Book has by and large been the better of the two as a pure passer during camp.
Running back (3)
On the 53-man roster: Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Deneric Prince
Practice squad: Carson Steele** and Louis Rees-Zammit
Cut: Keaontay Ingram and Emani Bailey
How we got here: Three is the magic number for the backfield this year. The Chiefs are giving Deneric Prince a ton of opportunities during training camp so far and he's shown some growth from his rookie year. Louis Rees-Zammit has been exactly what you'd expect — a rugby player trying to learn NFL football. I think he needs a year on the practice squad under his belt before he'll be ready. When he is ready, he definitely has the athleticism to hang around. Carson Steele could also use some time to refine his skill set for the NFL and could even be a midseason call-up for Kansas City.
Tight end (4)
On the 53-man roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley*, and Irv Smith Jr.
Practice Squad: Baylor Cupp**
Cut: Izaiah Gathings
How we got here: Jared Wiley and Irv Smith Jr. have both been outstanding at training camp so far. Wiley's fitting in nicely, working with the first-team offense often, especially during red zone work. Smith Jr.'s ability to play more of an H-Back/Fullback role could make him super valuable to a creative mind like Andy Reid.
Wide receiver (7)
On the 53-man roster: Rashee Rice, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Xavier Worthy*, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Kadarius Toney, and Nikko Remigio
Practice Squad: Montrell Washington and Justyn Ross
Cut: Skyy Moore, Cornell Powell, Phillip Brooks**, and Kyle Sheets
How we got here: Seven receivers again? I think this group has too much talent to do anything less. Plus the uncertainty surrounding an eventual suspension for Rice also plays a role. If I could find room for Montrell Washington and Justyn Ross I would. Nikko Remigio makes it for his kick return abilities. Kadarius Toney makes it for his versatility. For the first time, I do feel like Skyy Moore is at major risk of not making the 53-man roster. When your errors stand out more than your successes, you've got big problems in the NFL. He can still turn it around, but will he?
Offensive line (9)
On the 53-man roster: Kingsley Suamataia*, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Wanya Morris, Lucas Niang, Hunter Nourzad*, and C.J. Hanson
Practice squad: Mike Caliendo, Jason 'Chu' Godrick, and McKade Mettauer**
Cut: Nick Torres** and Ethan Driskell**
How we got here: I'm going with nine offensive linemen because of versatility. Morris can play swing tackle (and guard). Niang can play right tackle, right guard, and left guard. Nourzad and Hanson can play all three interior spots. Caliendo could well make it as a tenth lineman, but I'm not sure the veteran has made the most of his opportunities to this point. Risking Godrick and Driskell on waivers is a calculated move, where you have to hope that one doesn't get claimed.
Defensive line (9)
On the 53-man roster: George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Malik Herring, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Neil Farrell Jr., Mike Pennel, Tershawn Wharton
Practice squad: Truman Jones and Fabien Lovett
Cut: Alex Gubner and Owen Carney
Reserve/PUP: Charles Omenihu
Reserve/NFI: BJ Thompson
How we got here: I think the Chiefs can roll with four edge rushers initially given Chris Jones' ability to rush from the edge from time to time and Leo Chenal's versatility to play some 4-3 under looks. The move to add Carney recently suggests that Thompson might not be any closer to returning after his seizure and cardiac arrest during OTAs. Omenihu is aiming for a midseason return from his torn ACL. If they need an extra body there, they can elevate Truman Jones from the practice squad.
Linebacker (6)
On the 53-man roster: Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones, and Curtis Jacobs**
Practice squad: Swayze Bozeman and Cole Christiansen
How we got here: There are no changes from my last projection here outside of Dave Toub's recent comments got me thinking about Swayze Bozeman landing on the practice squad. I think Jacobs ultimately makes the 53-man because of his guaranteed money (225K). Keeping six linebackers is a Spags staple and also even more valuable now with new kickoff return rules.
Cornerback (6)
On the 53-man roster: Trent McDuffie, Nazeeh Johnson, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Kelvin Joseph, and Kamal Hadden*
Practice Squad: Nic Jones and Ekow Boye-Doe
Cut: Keith Taylor and Miles Battle**
How we got here: This is probably the toughest group to project given injuries and the frequency with which they've rotated players into starting roles. Joseph seems to have impressed the Chiefs' coaching staff early and I'm not sure how keen they are when it comes to putting a rookie like Hadden on waivers. If Jones and Boye-Doe clear, I could see them both back on the practice squad.
Safety (4)
On the 53-man roster: Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Deon Bush, and Jaden Hicks*
Practice squad: Tyree Gillespie
Reserve/NFI: Justin Reid
Cut: Christian Roland-Wallace**
How we got here: This position group is intriguing given the injury situation with Justin Reid. He's expected to miss most, if not all of training camp with his quad injury. Will he be ready to start the season or will the Chiefs shut him down for at least four weeks? I think they can afford the latter given their depth at the position.
Special teams (3)
On the 53-man roster: K Harrison Butker, P Matt Araiza, and LS James Winchester
Practice squad: None
Cut: None
How we got here: The Chiefs' punter battle ended before training camp even began, and "The Punt God" was named the winner. Dave Toub spoke on the decision last week: "Both of those guys did a great job," he said. "It was a tough decision. It wasn't really cut and dried. But in the end, Matt (Araiza) was a little bit more consistent, you know, day-to-day. Being a lefty punter, a little bit older, I think, you know, we made that choice to go with it. I didn't want to go into this camp with two guys, it just kind of filters it down for Butker, I need one of them to get all the reps possible."
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