Predicting potential roster cuts for the Kansas City Chiefs (pre-training camp edition)

5. Breeland Speaks

In the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft (Brett Veach’s first draft after taking over for John Dorsey as general manager), the Kansas City Chiefs selected edge rusher Breeland Speaks from Ole Miss with the 48th overall selection. The team thought that Speaks would be an effective pass rusher for the unit to pair with Dee Ford, one that would give them a formidable tandem off the edges in years to come.

To this point, Speaks has been as big of a swing-and-a-miss as Veach has had in his young career. As a rookie in 2018, Speaks played in all 16 games, primarily in a reserve capacity, but tallied only 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks in that (significant) game action.

The 2019 preseason looked like it might be a turning point for the young defensive end, though. Speaks was faster, in better shape, and appeared more powerful during those warm-up games. He was certainly on pace to make an impact on the team. Unfortunately, Speaks suffered a slew of knee injuries in the team’s final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, and missed the entire 2019 season.

There is certainly still a chance that Speaks lives up to his selection as a top 50 draft pick. However, the Chiefs have certainly acquired depth at the position in the event that he does not. Not only does the team have one of the top edge rushers in football with Frank Clark, but they also have last year’s starter Alex Okafor returning from injury. Second round pick Tanoh Kpassagnon came on last year and demonstrated versatility along the line. This offseason, the team has also signed free agent former first round draft pick Taco Charlton and added fifth round draft pick Michael Danna.

Its a near certainty that someone doesn’t make the roster at the position and Speaks is on the short list of those who may be cut. However, the Chiefs would incur $1.26 million in dead cap space with only a $600k savings to cut Speaks.