The Kansas City Chiefs will release their first unofficial depth chart for the 90-man offseason roster in August, ahead of the team’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Returning players from the 2025 roster will often hold a significant advantage in the team’s first depth chart. Draft picks, free agents, and undrafted rookies who have impressed during the offseason workouts and practices may receive a slight boost in their roster depth. As the offseason progresses, changes to the depth chart will be made based on player performance in practices and closed-door classroom sessions.

With all that in mind, you’ll find our first projection for the 90-man roster’s depth chart below as OTAs begin on Tuesday.

*Denotes a player coming off a known injury with potential for an injury-related absence during OTAs.

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First Chiefs 90-Man Offseason Roster Depth Chart Projection Ahead of OTAs

Quarterbacks:

• QB1 Patrick Mahomes*
• QB2 Justin Fields
• QB3 Garrett Nussmeier
• QB4 Chris Oladokun

We don’t yet know whether Patrick Mahomes will participate in OTAs. There’s some sense that he might be able to do some things and will be held out of others. I expect Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier to get the majority of the work in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 team drills at least this first week. The Chiefs already know what they have in Oladokun, so it’d be wise to give those practice reps to Fields and Nussmeier.

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Running backs:

• RB1: Kenneth Walker
• RB2: Emmett Johnson
• RB3: Emari Demercado
• RB4: Brashard Smith
• RB5: Jadyn Ott
• RB6: E.J. Smith

I’m mostly going to be paying attention to the RB3 and RB4 spots here. I’m giving Demercado the edge over Smith for two reasons. First, we haven’t seen if Smith has undergone a WR-RB physical transformation yet. That was what Andy Reid wanted him to achieve this offseason. Second, Demercado was picked up after Eric Bieniemy and DeMarco Murray joined the team. By definition, he’s one of their guys.

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Tight ends:

• TE1: Travis Kelce
• TE2: Noah Gray
• TE3: Jared Wiley
• TE4: Jake Briningstool
• TE5: Tre Watson
• TE6: John Michael Gyllenborg

I think this group could look a little different come July, specifically at the TE3 position. Look for Briningstool and JMG to potentially move up the list as offseason workouts continue.

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Wide receivers:

First team

• XWR1: Tyquan Thornton
• ZWR1: Xavier Worthy
• ZebraWR1: Rashee Rice*

With Rice unable to participate in OTAs due to his incarceration, expect that Royals will get first-team repetitions in his place, at least in the first batch of OTAs.

Second team

• XWR2: Jason Brownlee
• ZWR2: Cyrus Allen
• ZebraWR2: Jalen Royals

Brownlee knows the system, which should help him early on. I think Allen will surprise some folks with how quickly he can contribute.

Third team

• XWR3: Jeff Caldwell
• ZWR3: Jimmy Holiday
• ZebraWR3: Nikko Remigio

Holiday and Remigio are guys who know the system. Caldwell is too good an athlete to keep him too far down the depth chart.

Fourth team

• XWR4: Andrew Armstrong
• ZWR4: Jacob De Jesus
• ZebraWR4: Omari Evans/Xavier Loyd

I think these four will have the hardest time cracking the roster, but they also have the potential to rise up the depth chart throughout the process.

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Offensive line:

First team

• LT1: Josh Simmons
• LG1: Kingsley Suamataia
• C1: Creed Humphrey
• RG1: Trey Smith
• RT1: Jaylon Moore

Second team

• LT2: Wanya Morris
• LG2: Mike Caliendo
• C2: Hunter Nourzad
• RG2: C.J. Hansen
• RT2: Esa Pole

Third team

• LT3: Matt Waletzko
• LG3: Josh Thompson
• C2: Pete Nygra
• RG3: Ethan Driskell/Chu Godrick
• RT3: Chu Godrick/Kahlil Benson

I think this group will look relatively the same early on for Kansas City, but I really hope some interior offensive linemen make a push that bumps Mike Caliendo out of the IOL6 spot. I could also see Esa Pole making a push for that top right tackle spot.

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Defensive line:

First team

• LDE1: George Karlaftis
• LDT1: Chris Jones
• RDT1: Khyiris Tonga
• RDE1: Felix Anudike-Uzomah*

Second team

• LDE2: R Mason Thomas
• LDT2: Peter Woods
• RDT2: Omarr Norman-Lott*
• RDE2: Ashton Gillotte

Third team

• LDE3: Ethan Downs
• LDT3: Amari McNeill
• RDT3: Damon Payne
• RDE3: Tyreke Smith

Fourth team

• LDE4: Anthony Dunn
• LDT4: Marcus Harris
• RDT4: Cole Brevard
• RDE4: VJ Anthony

I think the Chiefs will give Felix Anudike-Uzomah every chance with the first-team unit, in hopes that things finally click for him. That’s not to say there won’t be a short leash. The rookies and second-year players will comprise the entire second-team unit. I won’t be shocked to see guys like Anthony Dunn and VJ Anthony eventually surpass Ethan Downs and Tyreke Smith.

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Linebacker:

First team

• WILL1: Drue Tranquill
• MIKE1: Nick Bolton
• SAM1: Cooper McDonald

Second team

• WILL2: Jeff Bassa
• MIKE2: Jack Cochrane
• SAM2: Cole Christiansen

Third team

• WILL3: Wesley Bissainthe
• MIKE3: Cole Christiansen
• SAM3: Kam Arnold

Cooper McDonald slots in for Leo Chenal. I think Jeff Bassa will still serve as a backup in his second season unless there’s an injury. I’ll be curious to see if Kam Arnold and Wesley Bissainthe are able to climb the depth chart at all with some long-term backups like Cole Christiansen and Jack Cochrane still in the fold.

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Cornerback:

First team

• LCB1: Mansoor Delane
• RCB1: Nohl Williams
• SCB1: Kader Kohou*

Second team

• LCB2: Kristian Fulton
• RCB2: Kaiir Elam
• SCB2: Jadon Canady

Third team

• LCB3: Bryce Phillips
• RCB3: Melvin Smith Jr.
• SCB3: Kevin Knowles

Fourth team

• LCB4: D’Arco Perkins-McAlister
• RCB4: Zelmar Vedder
• SCB4: Melvin Smith Jr.

Mansoor Delane will start right away opposite Nohl Williams. Slot cornerback will be interesting because the Chiefs have five or more players who could realistically play there if you include safeties like Chris Roland-Wallace and Chamarri Conner. Kristian Fulton will likely get some rotational reps with the first-team defense. I think Jadon Canady will as well, with offseason progress. It could be quicker if Kader Kohou is still working his way back from his knee injury.

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Safety:

First team

• FS1: Alohi Gilman
• SS1: Chamarri Conner

Second team

• FS2: Chris Roland-Wallace
• SS2: Jaden Hicks

Third team

• FS3: DeShon Singleton
• SS3: Xavier Nwankpa

Fourth team

• FS4: Tanner McCalister
• SS4: Marlen Sewell

The Chiefs often play with three safeties on the field. I see Gilman, Conner, and Hicks initially in those roles. However, this position group has some serious UDFA talent this year, so look for Singleton and Nwankpa to push for opportunities in mandatory minicamp and training camp.