What could the Kansas City Chiefs active roster look like?
Our own Brandon Norris takes a predictive look at the Kansas City Chiefs and tries to guess what a 53-man roster and depth chart might resemble in week 1.
Here we go. It’s time for another attempt to predict the Kansas City Chiefs final 53-man roster. Now that training camp is over and the preseason has come to an end, the Chiefs must make some difficult decision.
The Chiefs have to be down from 90 overall players by September 1st which means they some tough questions to answer. With a few changes from my 1st 53-man prediction, I am going to attempt to give you the outcome of the September 1st cut-down.
Here is a look at the offensive and defensive players I have making the 53-man roster prior to cut-down day.
Quarterback
(3) Make: Patrick Mahomes / Chad Henne / Chase Litton
(1) Miss: Matt McGloin
Patrick Mahomes has shown through camp and pre-season he has grown a lot. Mahomes has went 31 for 43 in passing, while throwing 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. His stats aren’t what have been impressive though, his ability to make decisions he may not have made a year ago is what’s impressive. Not forcing some passes he would have in college. He has also shown he has a lot of growing to do. He will go through growing pains this is for sure, but he also will show he is ready for this job.
Chad Henne has had an excellent preseason and should be a good No. 2 quarterback. For QB3, it’s between Matt McGloin and Chase Litton. McGloin has more experience obviously, but Litton has clearly shown he isn’t going down without a fight. Litton has shown promise in camp and lit up preseason a few times showing he has a pretty good upside. He is a great project for Chiefs and shown he can command an offense. So I’m giving the edge to Litton as securing the QB3 spot as Litton has shown he offers everything and more than McGloin.
Running Back
(6) Make: Kareem Hunt / Spencer Ware / Damien Williams / Darrel Williams / Anthony Sherman
(1) IR / PUP: J.D. Moore
(1) Practice Squad: Ray Lawry
(2) Miss: Kerwynn Williams / Algernon Brown
Kareem Hunt is RB1, so we can just leave this here. Spencer Ware didn’t seem as explosive in his minimal snaps in preseason, but I think it’s going to take more than a couple meaningless snaps to remove him as RB2. He will get the bulk of carries behind Hunt for a nice 1-2 punch.
You have Damien Williams, Darrel Williams, Kerwynn Williams, and Ray Lawry all competing for that final spot or two behind Hunt and Ware. Damien is almost a lock at this point after his strong camp and preseason. Unless there is something I’m missing, Damien will be RB3 by week 1.
Darrel Williams is a very intriguing running back—an undrafted free agent out of LSU who has looked very good up to this point. Has the ability to be a good pass blocker. He shows nice speed and agility for his size. If Chiefs do indeed keep 4 running backs on roster expect Darrel to cement that 4th spot.
Kerwynn Williams hasn’t shown enough to justify him beating out any of the other backs here. Ray Lawry just has had enough time or snaps to even be in the argument. Kerwynn will likely find work soon. Lawry will likely land on a practice squad.
Algernon Brown is behind Anthony Sherman and that’s about the end to that story barring an injury to Sausage.