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 Arizona Cardinals.

Typically, returning players from the 2024 NFL season will hold a significant advantage in the team's initial depth chart. Additionally, draft picks, free agents, and undrafted rookies who have impressed during the offseason workouts and practices may also receive a slight boost.

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.

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Quarterbacks:

First team: Patrick Mahomes

Second team: Gardner Minshew

Third team: Chris Oladokun

Fourth team: Bailey Zappe

The why: This group is one of the more self-explanatory groups in Kansas City. The big spot to watch is the battle for the No. 3 QB position between Oladokun and Zappe. I know the Chiefs liked Zappe last season, but he got poached from the practice squad for an opportunity in Cleveland. Can he impress this offseason to land a reserve role with K.C. on the 53-man roster or the practice squad?

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Running backs:

First team: Isiah Pacheco & Kareem Hunt

Second team: Elijah Mitchell & Brashard Smith

Third team: Carson Steele & Elijah Young

Fullback: Carson Steele

The why: It will take a lot to unseat Pacheco and Hunt from the first two seats, but I think Mitchell and Smith will also be given their chances to mix in throughout Phase III. Steele is the big wild card here. The team liked him quite a bit as a rookie, and if he took a step forward with his ball security this offseason, he could quietly sneak up the depth chart.

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Tight ends:

First team: Travis Kelce & Noah Gray

Second team: Jared Wiley & Robert Tonyan

Third team: Jake Briningstool & Tre Watson

The why: Another fairly straightforward group from Kansas City. Travis Kelce and Noah Gray will start unless injury strikes. In 13 personnel, I could see each of Jared Wiley and Robert Tonyan getting work. The two undrafted rookies will likely have to work their way up to getting opportunities with first and second-team units, but we've seen that happen before by training camp (see: Baylor Cupp in 2024). 

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Wide receivers:

First team: Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice

Second team: Juju Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore, Jalen Royals

Third team: Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio, Tyquan Thornton

Fourth team: Elijhah Badger, Jason Brownlee, Mac Dalena, Jimmy Holiday

The why: The first-team unit is exactly what the Chiefs were hoping for a season ago. On the second team, you've got a pair of veterans and the team's fourth-round rookie. The coaching staff has shown that they like Skyy Moore's ability to plug in at every wide receiver position. He'll get opportunities during offseason workouts and training camp, but make no mistake that he's on a short leash. Another injury could sink his chances. Nikko Remigio could hardly crack the wide receiver rotation a season ago. While I'm hopeful for a step forward, I'm not holding my breath. 

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Offensive linemen:

First team: LT Josh Simmons, LG Kingsley Suamataia, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor

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

Third team: LT Esa Pole, LG Dalton Cooper, C Mike Caliendo, RG Tremayne Anchrum Jr., RT Ethan Driskell

Swing tackle: Chu Godrick

The why: Health will be the key to this position group. Will Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor be healthy to get on the field for team drills during OTAs? If not, you could see Moore and Morris with starting opportunities. I wouldn't be shocked to see some rotation between Simmons and Moore early, even if Simmons is cleared from the knee injury. 

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Defensive linemen:

First Team: George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, Mike Danna

Second team: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Jerry Tillery, Fabien Lovett, Charles Omenihu 

Third team: Ashton Gillotte, Omarr Norman-Lott, Marlon Tuipulotu, Malik Herring

Fourth team: Ashton Gillotte, Coziah Izzard, Siaki Ika, Janarius Robinson

The why: I don't see much change to Kansas City's starting unit as things currently stand. Both the edge rusher position and the interior defensive line will use a rotation and committee approach for the upcoming season, but Steve Spagnuolo loves to lean on his veteran players. Charles Omenihu could enter the starting lineup over Mike Danna with a good offseason. The rookies will start a bit lower on the food chain in OTAs, but I wouldn't be shocked to see them get run with the second and first-team defense by training camp.

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Linebackers:

First Team: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal

Second Team: Jeff Bassa, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones

Third Team: Brandon George, Cole Christiansen, Cooper McDonald

The why: Nothing too out of the ordinary for this position group. I get the impression that Jeffrey Bassa will start off on the weak side and potentially steal some MIKE repetitions from the third and fourth-team defensive units. 

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Cornerback:

First Team: Kristian Fulton, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson

Second Team: Josh Williams, Chris Roland-Wallace, Nohl Williams

Third Team: Nazeeh Johnson, Melvin Smith Jr., Darius Rush

Fourth Team: Jacobe Covington, Eric Scott Jr., Kevin Knowles

The why: In an ideal world, Josh Williams would take a step forward and force Fulton into a reserve role, but I don't see that happening. I think Chris Roland-Wallace will get first dibs on the slot position backing up Trent McDuffie, but watch out for someone like Melvin Smith Jr. surprising and slotting in for that particular role.

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Safety:

First Team: Bryan Cook, Jaden Hicks

Second Team: Chamarri Conner, Mike Edwards

Third Team: Deon Bush, Glendon Miller, Major Williams

The why: While Mike Edwards is the veteran in the room with plenty of experience in the system, Jaden Hicks is the natural replacement option for Justin Reid. Chamarri Conner is interesting because he played nickel corner last season. I think they'll move him back into the safety role with greater frequency this year. Deon Bush is a wild card as a nine-year NFL veteran. So is Major Williams, as a rookie minicamp tryout, who impressed on defense and special teams. 

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Kick returner:

First Team: Nikko Remigio & Brashard Smith

Second Team: Carson Steele & Jalen Royals

Third Team: Major Williams & Nohl Williams

Fourth Team: Mac Dalena & Jimmy Holiday

The why: I think pairing rookies with veterans is the way to go here, at least early on, until they get the swing of the NFL's new kickoff rule. Remigio and Steele can both take some of the newcomers under their wing. 

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Punt returner:

First Team: Nikko Remigio

Second Team: Xavier Worthy

Third Team: Brashard Smith

Fourth Team: Nohl Williams

Fifth Team: Major Williams

The why: This one follows Dave Toub's past logic. Nikko Remigio has earned the right to be the incumbent starter. Xavier Worthy will be used as a speedy change-up, just like how he used Tyreek Hill later in his career. Brashard Smith is a player who might have to earn his roster spot through special teams at first. Nohl Williams and Major Williams both have some return specialist experience in college.

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Specialist: 

Long snapper: James Winchester

Kicker: Harrison Butker

Punter 1: Matt Araiza

Punter 2: Eddie Czaplicki

The why: Pretty cut and dry here. Czaplicki is the only newcomer and will have to earn his keep.