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 Jacksonville Jaguars. 

In most cases, the holdovers from the 2023 NFL season will have a big advantage regarding the team's initial depth chart. Draft picks, free agents, and undrafted free agents who have proven themselves throughout the offseason workout program and training camp practices could also see a slight bump. 

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

---

Quarterbacks:

First team: Patrick Mahomes

Second team: Carson Wentz

Third team: Chris Oladokun

Fourth team: Ian Book

The why: This group is pretty self-explanatory for the Chiefs. No one is challenging Patrick Mahomes, and even Carson Wentz is firmly entrenched as the second-string QB in Kansas City. The most significant competition is for the No. 3 QB spot and we're giving the player who has been in the system (Chris Oladokun) the edge over the newcomer (Ian Book). 

---

Running backs:

First team: Isiah Pacheco & Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Second team: Keaontay Ingram & Deneric Prince

Third team: Emani Bailey & Carson Steele

Fourth team: Louis Rees-Zammit & Hassan Hall

Fullback: Carson Steele

The why: I'm pairing running backs together on the first through fourth teams, but think of it more as a pecking order. Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire get first dibs. A pair of NFL veterans in Keaontay Ingram and second-year Chiefs RB Deneric Prince follow them. I have Carson Steele listed as both RB and FB here because if there is any player who can play both roles, it's him. As for Louis Rees-Zammit, expect him to get more chances to contribute on special teams than on offense. 

---

Tight ends: 

First team: Travis Kelce & Noah Gray

Second team: Jared Wiley & Irv Smith Jr. 

Third team: Gerrit Prince

Fourth team: Baylor Cupp

The why: I suspect that both Jared Wiley and Irv Smith Jr. will get repetitions with the first-team offense at times when the team utilizes multiple-tight end sets. I'm interested to see where Gerrit Prince slots in after spending a portion of the 2023 NFL season on the practice squad in Kansas City. Right now, I'm expecting second- and third-team repetitions. 

---

Wide receivers: 

First team: Justin Watson, Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice

Second team:  Xavier Worthy, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney

Third team: Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio, Cornell Powell

Fourth team: Jaaron Hayek, Montrell Washington, Phillip Brooks

The why: So long as Justin Watson is here, he's going to be in the circle of trust on the offensive side of the ball. I suspect he'll get first-team repetitions alongside Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice. Each of Xavier Worthy, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney will have some first-team action sprinkled in as well, but I also won't be shocked to see them working with Carson Wentz at times. Nikko Remigio is a player who could surprise and move up the depth chart after spending a lot of time working with Patrick Mahomes in Texas this offseason. 

---

Offensive linemen: 

First team: LT Wanya Morris, LG Joe Thuney, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor

Second team: LT Kingsley Suamataia, 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

The why: Even with his recent transgression, I'm giving Wanya Morris first crack at earning the starting left tackle job. He'll likely have a short leash, though. I wouldn't be surprised if Kingsley Suamataia saw first-team repetitions by training camp. For now, I have Lucas Niang as second-team right tackle, but I could see the Chiefs trading him ahead of the 2024 NFL season if someone like Ethan Driskell surprises. I won't be shocked if Mike Caliendo or C.J. Hanson slides in as the third-string center, but I listed Griffin McDowell there. He's a former tight end converted to offensive tackle, but he has a Mitch Morse-esque build. 

---

Defensive linemen: 

First Team: George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Danna

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

Third team: Truman Jones, Matt Dickerson, Isaiah Buggs, Malik Herring

Fourth team: Truman Jones, Fabien Lovett, Neil Farrell Jr., Malik Herring

Injured: Charles Omenihu

The why: Until I see someone challenge Derrick Nnadi for a starting job opposite Chris Jones, I'm relinquishing it to him. As much as you'd like to see Felix Anudike-Uzomah challenge Mike Danna for a starting spot, I'm not there yet. I think he will play a key rotational role in 2024. I'd like to put guys like Fabien Lovett and Neil Farrell Jr. higher up on the depth chart, but seniority tends to be reflected unless players stand out in early practices.

---

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.

The why: This group is quite self-explanatory. Look for Cam Jones to potentially slide into the Willie Gay Jr. role this season. 

---

Cornerback: 

First Team: Joshua Williams, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson

Second Team: Nic Jones, Nazeeh Johnson, Ekow Boye-Doe

Third Team: Kamal Hadden, Keith Taylor, Miles Battle

Fourth Team: Christian Roland-Wallace, Kelvin Joseph, D.J. Miller

The why: Nazeeh Johnson will get some opportunities with the first team during training camp, but Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson earned the opportunity to get first dibs on the roles vacated by L'Jarius Sneed. I expect Nic Jones and Ekow Boye-Doe to pick up where they left off last season. While Kelvin Joseph is a former second-round pick, I feel Keith Taylor having a year in the system will give him a leg up. 

---

Safety: 

First Team: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook

Second Team: Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks

Third Team: Deon Bush, Trey Dean

The why: Another self-explanatory unit. I'd hate to be Brett Veach here because all six safeties are starting-caliber players. It's ultimately a pick-you-poison type of situation for the Chiefs.

---

Specialist: 

First Team: LS James Winchester, P Matt Araiza, K Harrison Butker, H Matt Araiza

Second Team: LS James Winchester, P Ryan Rehkow, K Harrison Butker, H Ryan Rehkow

The why: Matt Araiza got repetitions ahead of Ryan Rehkow at rookie minicamp and I suspect that will persist here. Holding could also come into play on this position battle. 

---

Kick returner: 

First Team: Kadarius Toney

Second Team: Deneric Prince

Third Team: Louis Rees-Zammit

Fourth Team: Skyy Moore

The why: I think the new kick return rules could actually make Kadarius Toney even more of a dangerous return specialist. Deneric Prince gets second-team repetitions ahead of Louis Rees-Zammit out of seniority. I think Skyy Moore could be an emergency game-day return specialist type. 

---

Punt returner: 

First Team: Xavier Worthy

Second Team: Kadarius Toney

Third Team: Montrell Washington

Fourth Team: Phillip Brooks

The why: Dave Toub will use Xavier Worthy on punt returns for as long as he can. Fans better hope the rookie is a quick learner on offense.

---

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is set to attend, participate in OTAs as practices begin Monday

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice to be present for the team’s first OTAs.