Kansas City Chiefs: Four Training Camp Takeaways

Sep 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jason Trusnik (93) tackles Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Junior Hemingway (88) in the second quarter of the game at Sun Life Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Dolphins 34-15. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

The interesting positions where roster spots are open for the taking that I’ll be keeping a close eye on in the preseason are (including players still in the running):

The sixth wide receiver spot (Brown, Cook, Hammond, Hemingway, Williams)
The second and third tight ends (Gordon, Harris, O’Shaughnessy, Taylor)
The final offensive line spots (LDT, Fanaika, Pughsley, Sherrod)
The final defensive line spots (Fangupo, Irving, Martin, Nunez-Roches, Williams)
The final corner spot (Cooper and Fleming)

There are other spots where guys can still earn a job, but those are the key ones that I will be watching for. Starting jobs are also up for grabs. The most interesting of those are on the offensive line and at safety. The Chiefs may now be so deep at safety that they could trade one away before the season and still be stacked at the position. I listed four that I think are safe bets to make the team (if they aren’t traded) and I didn’t even include former draft pick Sanders Commings and special teams ace Kelcie McCray. It will be very interesting to see how Bob Sutton uses all those safeties.

My regular readers know that I’ve been obsessed with the offensive line all offseason. Unfortunately, I don’t have any strong new thoughts on the line after watching a day of practice. I do believe that Eric Kush will likely start at center. When you add in right tackle and right guard, that gives you three starting spots filled. However, I still think the entire right side is a work in progress. I’ll have some more thoughts on the line after I get a good look at them against the Cardinals this week.

Next up, takeaway number three.

Next: Some Holes To Fill