Final Kansas City Chiefs 53-Man Roster Prediction
By Ben Nielsen
Jul 26, 2014; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) signs autographs after practice during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
OFFENSIVE LINE
Tackle: Eric Fisher, Donald Stephenson (suspended), Ryan Harris
Guard: Jeff Allen, Zach Fulton, Mike McGlynn, Jeff Linkenbach, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
Center: Rodney Hudson, Eric Kush
The suspension of Stephenson should open up a spot to keep Duvernay-Tardif on the roster for the next few weeks in order to protect him from the waiver wire. LDT hasn’t been amazing by any stretch but he has been solid in his few snaps during the preseason. More work in practice on the 53-man roster should benefit his growth and development as a potential solution as a left guard.
The next four weeks with Stephenson out with the suspension is going to be interesting for Jeff Allen. Allen was a tackle in college and looked pretty decent there in his few snaps last week. With a couple of more weeks under his belt he could be the long-term solution there with Stephenson moving back to being the swing tackle. Keep in mind Stephenson had a -10.7 PFF grade as a tackle last season.
Jeff Linkenbach and Mike McGlynn will battle for the starting left guard spot over the next few weeks. It would surprise me if Linkenbach was dumped for a waiver wire or free agent selection over the next week even if he makes it through this weekend.