Roderick Johnson, offensive line
Johnson is a new arrival for the Chiefs among several familiar faces. The former fifth round pick of the Browns back in 2017, Johnson ended up spending his rookie year on injured reserve before being waived the following summer. The Texans ended up landing him and Johnson has been in Houston for the last three years. Johnson spent last year with the Miami Dolphins on their practice squad before signing with the Chiefs here. Could be an option if the Chiefs allow Andrew Wylie and Mike Remmers to walk.
Devon Key, defensive back
Devon Key came on strong as a rookie free agent defensive back out of Western Kentucky in training camp last year, but once preseason games began, it was clear he had a lot of growth ahead of him. That can make for an exciting turn in year two, which is what Key is hoping to make. The Chiefs have to love his toughness and versatility. If the mental side doesn’t prove to be too big for him, Key could turn into a real asset.
Cornell Powell, wide receiver
Cornell Powell will be familiar to fans as the lone draft pick who couldn’t make the active roster last year. The Chiefs grabbed the late bloomer from Clemson late in the 2021 NFL Draft but it looks like he will need time at the professional level just like he did in college. Still feels like a long shot in ’22.
Mark Vital, tight end
The Chiefs love their developmental tight ends, and Mark Vital went from never having played organized football since 8th grade to being a member of the Chiefs practice squad in 2021. The former Baylor Bears basketball player is a tremendous defender in the post and those skills should serve him very well in the transition. However there’s a lot more to playing basketball than that, so we’ll see if Vital can push through the competition.
Darryl Williams, offensive line
Darryl Wiliams is hoping to be able to confuse fans by having two players with the same name on offense in 2022. In order to make that happen, however, Williams is going to need to prove himself reliable to the Chiefs coaches amid plenty of competition this summer. He’s in a good position for such a move, especially as he enters his third year in the league.