What could the Kansas City Chiefs active roster look like?
Cornerback
(5) Make: Kendall Fuller / Steven Nelson / Orlando Scandrick / Tremon Smith / David Amerson
(2) Practice Squad: Arrion Springs / D’Montre Wade
(4) Miss: Will Redmond / Mackinton Dorleant / Step Durham Keith Reaser
Andy Reid has only kept six cornerbacks once in his tenure in K.C. I don’t see that happening again this year. This is not a fun position to try to predict the initial keepers for the 53 this year.
Kendall Fuller is a stud and is the only 100% positive piece we have among the cornerback room. Fuller has a lot more on his shoulder’s than he should but he is here to stay.
Steven Nelson and the newly acquired Orlando Scandrick are not going anywhere. Nelson has had more positives for us than negatives since being drafted in 2015. While he isn’t the best option, he sure isn’t the worst. Scandrick hasn’t been with the team long enough to write him off as a failed experiment. He at very least is a better option at depth than the remaining cornerbacks.
Tremon Smith hasn’t had a bad camp or pre-season, but he has work to do. He has serve most this season as part of Dave Toub’s special teams unit. Kick return, punt returner, gunner, or whatever is needed.
Finally, the 5th and what I believe to be the final cornerback spot. David Amerson can’t possibly make the 53-man roster, can he? Unfortunately, our cornerback group is that bad at the moment. I believe he at least makes the initial 53-man roster. Arrion Springs, D’Montre Wade and the remaining competitors at the position just don’t have enough experience. No one has stood out enough to prove they are ready for this leap, even if it means Amerson making the active roster.
I do believe there is a very good chance we take a shot or two at a couple cornerbacks come cut-down day. As Matt Conner wrote, a couple of names to keep an eye on are Jason McCourty (New England), Byron Maxwell (Seattle), and Quentin Rollins (Green Bay).
Safety
(4) Make: Eric Berry / Armani Watts / Eric Murray / Leon McQuay
(1) IR / PUP: Daniel Sorenson
(1) Miss: Jordan Sterns
Eric Berry needs to stay available. When healthy, it’s no secret he’s one of the best in the business. Unfortunately the injury bug hasn’t been kind to him for some time. I banish you bug to leave these grounds at once! We need a full 19 to 20 games out of him this season.
Armani Watts may be forced to step in quicker than anticipated since the lengthy injury to Daniel Sorenson. Watts hasn’t seem to excel at least to this point, but he also hasn’t been bad. Sometimes when you hear little to nothing about a player it’s a good thing. With the hopefully return of Berry, Watts and the entire secondary will look better.
With Robert Golden asking for and granted release not long ago we all of a sudden got real short at the safety position. The final two spots again barring something unforeseen will be Eric Murray and Leon McQuay. It would sure be nice to have some better options here, but next man up.
Here’s hoping Berry is available and ready to go. He makes everyone around him instantly better. This however is another position we could be targeting after cut down day.
Special Teams
(3) Make: Harrison Butker (K) / Dustin Colquitt (P) / James Winchester (LS)
(0) Miss: N/A
Dustin Colquitt, Harrison Butker, and James Winchester. Now if only all positions were this easy to call.