Kansas City Chiefs release first unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason Week 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals and it includes a few surprises
The Kansas City Chiefs released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Kansas City Chiefs have released their first depth chart for the 90-man offseason roster ahead of Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason against the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s important to note that these depth charts are considered “unofficial” even though they come from the team in its weekly release to media members. Why is that the case? These are assembled by the team’s PR staff, not directly from the coaching staff. One reason to take them with a grain of salt: In Week 1 of the 2017 NFL preseason, Tyler Bray was listed ahead of Patrick Mahomes. There’s also the fact that these don’t consider positions like slot receiver or nickel cornerback.
That’s not to say these unofficial depth charts are meaningless. Let’s take a look at the Chiefs’ first depth chart and see what we can discern.
Wide receiver
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Rashee Rice | Hollywood Brown | Skyy Moore | Nikko Remigio | Mac Dalena | Jimmy Holiday | Hal Presley |
| Xavier Worthy | JuJu Smith-Schuster | Tyquan Thornton | Jalen Royals | Jason Brownlee | Elijhah Badger | Key’Shawn Smith |
As I mentioned earlier, the absence of slot receivers on these depth charts leaves a bit up to interpretation. I think the most shocking thing here is Skyy Moore and Tyquan Thornton being listed ahead of Nikko Remigio and Jalen Royals. Based on what we’ve seen at training camp thus far, I’d actually probably swap Moore for Royals on the depth chart.
Left Tackle
| LT1 | LT2 | LT3 |
| Josh Simmons | Wanya Morris | Esa Pole |
I don’t think Morris has played a meaningful snap at left tackle to this point in training camp. Jaylon Moore is very clearly the swing tackle. Esa Pole played second-team left tackle on Sunday.
Left Guard
| LG1 | LG2 | LG3 |
| Kingsley Suamataia | Mike Caliendo | Dalton Cooper |
This tracks with what we’ve seen at camp so far, outside of the fact that Jaylon Moore and Hunter Nourzad have also seen snaps at left guard.
Center
| C1 | C2 | C3 |
| Creed Humphrey | Hunter Nourzad | Joey Lombard |
Mike Caliendo has also received some snaps at second-team center during training camp.
Right Guard
| RG1 | RG2 | RG3 |
| Trey Smith | C.J. Hanson | Ethan Driskell |
I don’t think the 6-foot-8 and 330-pound Ethan Driskell is playing right guard unless the team finds itself in a serious pinch.
Right Tackle
| RT1 | RT2 | RT3 |
| Jawaan Taylor | Jaylon Moore | Chu Godrick |
Ethan Driskell and Wanya Morris have also played snaps at second-team right tackle thus far.
Tight End
| TE1 | TE2 | TE3 | TE4 | TE5 | TE6 | TE7 |
| Travis Kelce | Noah Gray | Robert Tonyan | Jared Wiley | Jake Briningstool | Geor’Quarius Spivey | Tre Watson |
Robert Tonyan slotting in ahead of Jared Wiley is a bit of a surprise and something to monitor while Wiley is out of practice with a knee injury.
Quarterback
| QB1 | QB2 | QB3 | QB4 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Garnder Minshew | Bailey Zappe | Chris Oladokun |
No surprises here. This tracks with what we saw during training camp.
Running Back
| RB1 | RB2 | RB3 | RB4 | RB5 |
| Isiah Pacheco | Kareem Hunt | Elijah Mitchell | Brashard Smith | Elijah Young |
Ditto with the running back position. This has been the clear pecking order from start to finish at training camp.
Fullback
Carson Steele is the only fullback on the 90-man roster. That puts a bit of a target on his back, especially considering the team has gone without a fullback as recently as the 2023 NFL season.
Defensive End
| DE1 | DE2 | DE3 | DE4 |
| Mike Danna | Ashton Gillotte | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | N/A |
| George Karlaftis | Charles Omenihu | Malik Herring | Janarius Robinson |
This group might have the biggest surprise of the entire depth chart. 2023 first-round draft pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah is listed behind 2025 second-round draft pick Ashton Gillotte. I’m not sure if that entirely tracks as FAU and Gillotte have mostly played together with the second-team unit at training camp.
Defensive Tackle
| DT1 | DT2 | DT3 | DT4 |
| Mike Pennel | Omarr Norman-Lott | Marlon Tuipulotu | N/A |
| Chris Jones | Jerry Tillery | Fabien Lovett | Coziah Izzard |
Omarr Norman-Lott being listed behind run-stuffer Mike Pennel might surprise some, but not this writer.
Linebacker
| Position | LB1 | LB2 | LB3 |
| WILL (Weakside) | Drue Tranquill | Cam Jones | Jeffrey Bassa |
| MIKE (Middle) | Nick Bolton | Jack Cochrane | Brandon George |
| SAM (Strongside) | Leo Chenal | Cole Christiansen | Cooper McDonald |
The Chiefs seem to be going with seniority at this position group on the depth chart despite getting a little more creative with the rotations at training camp.
Cornerback
| CB1 | CB2 | CB3 | CB4 | CB5 |
| Trent McDuffie | Nohl Williams | Melvin Smith | Kevin Knowles | Ajani Carter |
| Jaylen Watson | Nazeeh Johnson | Joshua Williams | Chris Roland-Wallace | Azizi Hearn |
This group is a bit confusing, mainly because the team doesn’t list slot cornerbacks. Names to know there include Melvin Smith, Kevin Knowles, and Chris Roland-Wallace.
Safety
| S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 |
| Bryan Cook | Jaden Hicks | Deon Bush | Major Williams |
| Chamarri Conner | Mike Edwards | Glendon Miller | Jacobe Covington |
Conner being listed ahead of Jaden Hicks surprises me based on what we’ve seen at training camp thus far. Conner has more work in the slot than he does at safety in St. Joe.
Specialists
Kicker: Harrison Butker / Punter: Matt Araiza / Holder: Matt Araiza / Long Snapper: James Winchester
| RS1 | RS2 |
| Nikko Remigio | Brashard Smith |
Based on what Dave Toub has told us thus far, this checks out. Remigio and Smith seem to have a stranglehold on the punt and kick returner roles, which makes both of them huge assets to the team. Don’t be shocked to see some guys like Tyquan Thornton and Mac Dalena get some opportunities during the preseason as well.
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