Reach’s 2014 Roster Prediction For The Kansas City Chiefs
With the NFL’s first cutdown day (to 75 players) just a few hours away and several hopefuls already dismissed from the Kansas City Chiefs, I’m prepared to make my roster prediction. The franchise will be parting ways with 22 more players by the final cutdown on Saturday (following the team’s last preseason game with the Green Bay Packers). I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath and I apologize for the delay. I’m a man of the people and I’m here to give the Kingdom what it’s been waiting for.
Let’s not waste anymore time.
Submitted for your approval, your 2014 Kansas City Chiefs:
Quarterbacks
- Alex Smith
- Chase Daniel
- Tyler Bray
I don’t expect any real surprises here. Aaron Murray has had few opportunities this preseason to prove he should occupy a roster spot over Bray or Daniel. Daniel’s made his case as the backup. I think the Chiefs will stash Murray on injured reserve list so they can continue to evaluate Tyler Bray. The former Volunteer has been inconsistent, but he’s shown enough to warrant more consideration. On Saturday, Bray threw an ugly interception to Vikings cornerback Shaun Prater, but he also went 7-for-7 on the Chiefs’ lone touchdown drive later in the game.
Chase Daniel is still clearly the best quarterback on the team not named Alex Smith. Daniel has only one NFL start, but he’s logged five years in training camps between New Orleans and Kansas City. He’s the Chiefs’ best option if Smith were to go down with an injury. The team only stands to gain about $1.4 million of cap space by cutting Daniel, and I’m not sure that’s a fair tradeoff for having two quarterbacks behind Smith who’ve never taken a meaningful NFL snap.
Runningbacks
- Jamaal Charles
- Knile Davis
- De’Anthony Thomas
- Cyrus Gray
- Anthony Sherman
When the preseason began, I thought Cyrus Gray would have a tough time making this football team. Not for a lack of ability, but due to a dearth of available spots at the position. I suspect they’ll want to carry rookie De’Anthony Thomas as a runningback to save a roster spot in the receivers group. Over the past four weeks, Gray has used the preseason to make an impact both as a four-core special teams player and a valuable third runningback. Offensively, he’s averaging over 5 yards per carry and leads all runningbacks with 134 rushing yards.
Follow the jump for the rest of my offensive picks.