Kansas City Chiefs 90-man depth chart projection: Questions answered at mandatory minicamp

While the Kansas City Chiefs won't release their first unofficial depth chart for the 90-man offseason roster until the preseason, we learned a lot about the team during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The team is still experimenting with personnel and learning what players can and can't do. They're adjusting their roster accordingly, adding more competition […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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While the Kansas City Chiefs won't release their first unofficial depth chart for the 90-man offseason roster until the preseason, we learned a lot about the team during OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

The team is still experimenting with personnel and learning what players can and can't do. They're adjusting their roster accordingly, adding more competition at weaker position groups. For the most part, draft picks, free agents, and undrafted free agents are all on equal ground at this point. Earning the trust of teammates and the coaching staff goes a long way to opportunities in training camp this July.  

With all of that in mind, you'll find our second projection for the 90-man roster’s depth chart below. 

*Players currently dealing with an injury or illness.

Quarterbacks:

First team: Patrick Mahomes

Second team: Carson Wentz

Third team: Chris Oladokun

Fourth team: Ian Book

What did we learn: Nothing too crazy at this position group. Wentz has impressed Mahomes. He said it makes sense that he was once an MVP candidate in Philly. Oladokun seems to have a substantial lead on Book for the No. 3 spot. 

Running backs:

First team: Isiah Pacheco & Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Second team: Deneric Prince & Carson Steele

Third team: Keaontay Ingram & Emani Bailey

Fourth team: Louis Rees-Zammit 

What did we learn: Prince seems to be the running back poised to sneak into the rotation, but watch out for Steele, who impressed during his opportunities at mandatory minicamp. Learning the running back position is pretty low on the priority list for the Chiefs when it comes to Rees-Zammit. Dave Toub said he's getting starting repetitions at kick return specialist because they want to get him a lot of repetitions, but that's not the case at running back.

Tight ends:

First team: Travis Kelce & Jared Wiley 

Second team: Noah Gray & Irv Smith Jr.

Third team: Gerrit Prince & Baylor Cupp

What did we learn: Wiley might turn out to be the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL draft class for Kansas City. He's already getting a lot of play with the starters, getting looks in the red zone in the Jody Fortson role. If he's good enough when the pads come on, he could quickly supplant Gray, who is slated to be a free agent in 2025. 

Wide receivers:

First team: Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson, Cornell Powell

Second team: Xavier Worthy*, Justyn Ross, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, Nikko Remigio

Third team: Jaaron Hayek, Montrell Washington, Phillip Brooks

What did we learn: This position group is the hardest to tack down for the Chiefs. Everyone listed on the first team and second team (outside of Worthy) got some repetitions with the first-team offense during mandatory minicamp. The one surprise for me was that Powell was getting fairly consistent action with the first-team offense. He's been in the system for several years and finally seems to be getting some opportunity to showcase his skillset with the starters. 

Offensive linemen:

First team: LT Kingsley Suamataia, LG Joe Thuney*, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor

Second team: LT Wanya Morris, LG Mike Caliendo, C Hunter Nourzad, RG C.J. Hanson, RT Lucas Niang

Third team: LT Jason 'Chu' Godrick, LG Nick Torres, C Griffin McDowell, RG McKade Mettauer, RT Ethan Driskell

What did we learn: While Suamataia and Morris may have split repetitions at left tackle, it's apparent who the winner is here. The fact that the second-round rookie is even getting the opportunity right of the gate tells you exactly what the coaching staff thinks about his ability. The other thing to consider: If the pec injury keeps Thuney out through training camp, does the best iteration of the offensive line have Morris playing left guard?

Defensive linemen:

First team: George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi*, Charles Omenihu* 

Second team: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Tershawn Wharton, Mike Pennel, Mike Danna

Third team: BJ Thompson*, Matt Dickerson, Neil Farrell Jr., Malik Herring

Fourth team: Truman Jones, Fabien Lovett, Isaiah Buggs, Alex Gubner

What did we learn: The Chiefs aren't content with their defensive line group and probably shouldn't be between the injury to Nnadi, medical situation with Thompson, and off-field stuff with Buggs. They're a few injuries away from Matt Dickerson playing a key role. Enter UDFA DT Alex Gubner, who has some positional flexibility to his game given his size. He already accomplished one of the toughest tasks — making the 90-man roster as a tryout player. What else will he be able to accomplish?

Linebackers:

First team: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal*

Second team: Cam Jones, Jack Cochrane, Cole Christiansen

Third team: Swayze Bozeman, Curtis Jacobs, Luquay Washington Jr.

What did we learn: Andy Reid said Chenal was close to getting back on the field. I'd expect him back in the lineup for training camp. This group is fairly straightforward right now, but I won't be shocked to see someone like Jacobs supplant a player in the second team. 

Cornerback:

First team: Joshua Williams, Trent McDuffie, & Jaylen Watson*

Second team: Nic Jones, Nazeeh Johnson, & Kelvin Joseph 

Third team: Kamal Hadden, Ekow Boye-Doe, & Miles Battle

Fourth team: Christian Roland-Wallace, Keith Taylor, & D.J. Miller

What did we learn: Chammari Conner has been the Chiefs' starting nickel corner right now, but I'm keeping him on the safety depth chart for the time being. Jones, Johnson, and Joseph have all seen a few first-team repetitions as well. This group is highly competitive and I feel like it'll come down to who can make the most plays during training camp and the preseason.

Safety:

First team: Justin Reid & Bryan Cook

Second team: Chamarri Conner & Jaden Hicks

Third team: Trey Dean & Deon Bush

What did we learn: Cook is back with a vengeance and showed it during mandatory minicamp. Watch out for Hicks, who has received some major praise from both Dave Merritt and Justin Reid. Dean has quietly earned second-team opportunities (and looked good doing so) with Conner primarily playing nickel corner. 

Specialist:

Long snapper: James Winchester

Kicker: Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza & Justin Reid

Punter: Matt Araiza

Kickoffs: Justin Reid, Harrison Butker, & Louis Rees-Zammit

Holder: Matt Araiza

What did we learn: Araiza beat out Ryan Rehkow, which shouldn't exactly come as a surprise. Deciding before training camp was a smart move to give him all the repetitions necessary. With Reid taking a prominent role on kickoffs, look for Araiza to potentially take over the emergency kicker role. 

Kick returner:

First team: Louis Rees-Zammit

Second team: Deneric Prince

Third team: Nikko Remigio

What did we learn: As we mentioned earlier, Rees-Zammit is getting work as the starting kick returner. It feels like it's his job to lose. 

Punt returner:

First team: Xavier Worthy*

Second team: Kadarius Toney

Third team: Louis Rees-Zammit

Fourth team: Montrell Washington

What did we learn: Given that Worthy has missed so much time with the hamstring injury, I wonder if the Chiefs won't be hesitant to overload him with work at punt returner. Dave Toub seemed to indicate earlier this offseason that they'd use him there, but we'll see how it all shakes out. 

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