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KC Chiefs: 53-man final roster prediction

By Lyle Graversen

SAINT JOSEPH, MO - JULY 31: The team runs drills during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on July 31, 2011 in Saint Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SAINT JOSEPH, MO - JULY 31: The team runs drills during Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on July 31, 2011 in Saint Joseph, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 01: Orlando Brown #78 of the Baltimore Ravens during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 1, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 01: Orlando Brown #78 of the Baltimore Ravens during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 1, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

Starters: Orlando Brown Jr., Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Kyle Long, Mike Remmers

Bench: Lucas Niang, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Nick Allegretti, Andrew Wylie, Trey Smith

Practice Squad: Yasir Durant, Darryl Williams

Cut: Austin Blythe, Martinas Rankin, Prince Tega Wanogho

Confession, I’ve redone this section about five times and it is by far the position I am the least confident in. I can see ten different ways things could work out that wouldn’t surprise me. Let me start with the thing that might surprise some is that I have Austin Blythe not making the team. Here’s my justification, with the Chiefs already giving Creed Humphrey first-team reps, I think they are going to give him every chance to earn that job. It makes sense because he’s the long-term solution and Blythe is just on a one year deal, so why put it off if they think Humphrey is capable of playing near or above Blythe’s level?

So why not keep Blythe on as the backup? Well, here’s the thing. Nick Allegretti wasn’t that bad at guard last season and since he has center experience, and the Chiefs still have him on a cheap rookie contract for two more seasons, why keep Blythe who can only play center around over him? I have the Chiefs cutting Blythe and giving him a chance to find another team.

I think Orlando Brown, Joe Thuney, Mike Remmers, and Lucas Niang are all locks to make the team. I think Kyle Long has a higher ceiling than Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, so I have him starting, but LDT definitely still still has a shot, especially since he already knows the offense. I also feel like the fact that they didn’t pull Andrew Wylie’s restricted free agent tender after the draft means they want to keep him on as a backup for at least one more season. I personally like Martinas Rankin more than Wylie, but this is what I think the Chiefs will do. I ended up keeping Trey Smith on the active roster, but I really think he could also end up with a mystery “injury” that lands him on IR for his rookie season.

I’ve got Yasir Durant and Darryl Williams on the practice squad, but that’s 12 offensive linemen all together, which seems a little high. I also think it’s possible that Prince Tega Wahogho could beat out Yasir Durant if they think he’s a more natural left tackle to keep around in case Brown had to miss time.

Let me put it this way, if you see the offensive line shaping up a little different, I won’t argue with you.

Now on to the defense.

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