Brashard Smith, Joshua Williams, and four other Chiefs players who can make a strong case for the 53-man roster in preseason Week 3
Many players have one final chance to make their case for the Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man roster tonight.
The Kansas City Chiefs will wrap up the 2025 NFL preseason on Friday with a showdown with the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
This game represents the final chance for players on the roster bubble to impress ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster cutdown deadline. Many decisions have been made, but we’ve seen plenty of times in the past that a strong preseason Week 3 performance can tip the scales. While the starters are expected to get some playing time, all eyes will be on those attempting to make their case and leave it all out on the field.
Here’s a look at six players, ranging from rookie draft picks to veterans, poised to make a strong case for the 53-man roster on Friday night.
RB Brashard Smith
I was admittedly a bit surprised by the reaction to my take that rookie RB Brashard Smith, a seventh-round draft pick out of SMU, could be in danger of not making the 53-man roster. It wouldn’t be the first or last time that a seventh-round pick doesn’t make an initial 53-man roster. Yes, the Chiefs knew they were getting a project here. Smith is only in his second year of playing the running back position after transitioning from wide receiver upon transferring to play for the Mustangs. While he had a solid performance catching and running the ball in preseason Week 2, he has mostly played with the third- and fourth-team offense. He also hasn’t made strides on special teams, which is something he needs to do given his late-round draft status and the positioning he’s fighting for on the roster. Preseason Week 3 represents a final chance for Smith to make his case and prove he belongs on the 53-man roster. If not, he could be destined for waivers and possibly the practice squad.
CB Joshua Williams
Breaking up the “Fab Five” seems like a risky choice, but Williams appears to have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. He’ll have the opportunity to get back in their good graces in preseason Week 3 against the Chicago Bears because of the injury situation at cornerback. With Nazeeh Johnson sidelined by a shoulder injury, Williams could get a nod to play with the starting defense opposite Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie in sub packages. If that’s the case, a solid game could make him an indispensable asset or, perhaps, vault his trade value to a point where you can get a hefty return. If Kristian Fulton, who is returning from the Active/PUP list, jumps him for a starting spot, it could signal even more of an uphill climb for Williams.
DE Malik Herring
When speaking about Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s hamstring injury, Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo mentioned Herring as someone who should see more opportunities in preseason Week 3. He’s a former undrafted free agent out of the University of Georgia who has inside-outside versatility. He’s also been in the system since 2021, which counts for something. During that span, he has appeared in 26 games with one start, recording 28 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a pass batted, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 1.5 sacks. In a preseason game in front of a home crowd, that experience could be what helps him excel and stand out above the rest.
DT Marlon Tuipulotu
If the Chiefs don’t carry a player like Malik Herring in light of Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s injury, they could go heavier along the interior defensive line. It might even be preferable with Omarr Norman-Lott dealing with a nagging ankle injury. Tuipulotu is the player with the easiest track to the 53-man roster after spending virtually the entirety of last year on the active roster, before landing on injured reserve during the playoffs. He appeared in just two regular-season games with one start, recording four total tackles and a tackle for loss. He could be another big run-stuffing type to rotate in along the defensive interior with Mike Pennel. The Chiefs didn’t do well in the run game last week, and if he helps correct that issue in preseason Week 3, it won’t go unnoticed.
LBs Cam Jones & Cooper McDonald
Speaking of the run game, the linebacker play in preseason Week 2 left something to be desired. Right now, I feel like four of the linebacker spots are locks, but the Chiefs could carry five or six players at the position. Cam Jones has been a key special teamer for Dave Toub for several years now and might be the team’s top veteran depth at the linebacker spot with Jack Cochrane injured and playing poorly. As for Cooper McDonald, he’s one of the few undrafted free agents who has been turning heads in training camp and the preseason. A good performance against the run for both could do wonders for their 53-man roster chances.
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