Chiefs 53-man roster prediction has new questions after Buccaneers loss

Following the Kansas City Chiefs' second preseason game, we are now just one exhibition away from the start of the NFL season. Week 2 of the Chiefs' preseason allowed a lot of players to make plays and show the front office and coaching staff why they deserve a spot on the Chiefs' final 53-man roster.

The final roster cutdown will come in just a week (August 30), and we are beginning to get a clearer picture of what things could look like in 2026. After watching Kansas City's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, here's how we see things shaping up.

Quarterback (3): Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier

Biggest question: Will the Chiefs carry all three QBs?

Maybe the biggest competition going into camp for the Chiefs was for the QB2 job and whether to keep a third quarterback on the roster. The Chiefs have not kept a third quarterback since 2022, when Shane Buechele fought his way onto the Week 1 roster. But with Fields and seventh-round draft pick Garrett Nussmeier, the Chiefs will likely keep a trio of QBs on the roster for Week 1. Chris Oladokun, who made a couple of starts for Kansas City last year, is likely to be stashed on the practice squad.

Running back (4): Kenneth Walker, Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith, Emari Demercado

Biggest question: Will Demercado make the team, and if so who takes his spot?

In my first prediction of the offseason, I had the Chiefs carrying four backs on their active roster. Kenneth Walker was their biggest addition of the offseason, and with Emmett Johnson being added in the fifth round, the Chiefs have a strong one-two punch out of the backfield. Brashard Smith is a strong pass catcher out of the backfield and also contributed as a return man for the Chiefs in 2025. Demercado was also added on a one-year deal and will be a depth piece for the Chiefs in 2026.

Wide Receiver (7): Rashee Rice, Tyquan Thornton, Xavier Worthy, Cyrus Allen, Jalen Royals, Andrew Armstrong, Nikko Remigio

Biggest question: How many WRs will be kept with so many injuries at the position?

The top of the wide receiver room is chalk, with Rice, Worthy, Thornton, and Allen all guaranteed to make the team. Royals is very likely to make the team despite a limited role, leaving the sixth and final spot up for grabs. Andrew Armstrong, who was picked up on a reserve/futures contract at the end of last season, earns this final spot after an impressive preseason. Nikko Remigio makes the team as a return man, and with Jeff Caldwell suffering an offseason injury, he will likely be stashed on IR or PUP before the start of the season.

Tight end (4): Travis Kelce, Jared Wiley, Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool

Biggest question: Will the Chiefs carry a fourth TE?

Jeff Caldwell to IR.

The Chiefs' top three tight ends are all but certain to make the roster, and the final spot on the team will come down to whether or not the team is comfortable keeping a fourth guy. In this scenario, they find the room and hang on to Jake Briningstool, who was a top UDFA pickup for the Chiefs last season. He spent all of 2025 on IR and will now return to the team, and the Chiefs will give him a chance to make an impact in 2026.

Offensive Line (9): Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole, Khalil Benson, Hunter Nourzad, Mike Caliendo

Biggest question: Is everyone healthy?

The offensive line feels set in stone. Simmons, Suamataia, Humphrey, and Smith are all locks to be starters in Week 1. The right tackle battle between Benson and Moore makes them locks to make the team, and Pole remains the backup left tackle. Nourzad is the backup center, and Caliendo is a veteran who has been with the team for some time and will likely keep his role in 2026.

Defensive line (8): George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, R Mason Thomas, Emmanuel Ogbah, Chris Jones, Omar Norman-Lott, Peter Woods, Khyris Tonga

Biggest question: Will the Chiefs carry an extra defensive lineman?

Ashton Gillotte and Ethan Downs on PUP/IR

The Chiefs' defensive line has been a point of emphasis for the team this offseason, and the eight guys listed all feel like locks to make the team. The biggest questions regarding the Chiefs' defensive line will surround whether the team chooses to carry an extra DE or DT. As of today, I think the most likely scenario is that the Chiefs roll with their top eight guys and try to stash Payne or Harris on the practice squad.

Linebacker (5): Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquil, Jeffery Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Cam Jones

Biggest question: Is Jack Cochrane healthy?

Jack Cochrane on PUP/IR.

The Chiefs often like to carry five linebackers, and the top three guys are set in stone. Nick Bolton is the anchor of the Chiefs' defense, and Drue Tranquill is a reliable veteran. Jeffrey Bassa is a promising young player whom I had graded in my top 100, and I expect him to step into a major role for the Chiefs' defense this season. The Chiefs picked up Cam Jones, who has experience with the team, due to an injury to Jack Cochrane. Assuming Cochrane does not return, Cam Jones should be the favorite to make the team.

Cornerbacks (6): Mansoor Delane, L'Jarius Sneed, Nohl Williams, Jadon Canady (SLOT), Chris Roland-Wallace (SLOT), Kristan Fulton

Biggest question: Will Kristan Fulton be traded?

The Chiefs made significant investments in the DB room this offseason after losing their top two corners via trade and free agency. The Chiefs selected Mansoor Delane with the sixth overall pick in the draft, as well as Jadon Canady with the 109th pick. Kansas City also invested a third-round pick in Nohl Williams in last year's draft and signed L'Jarius Sneed after the Titans let him go.

Those four guys were locks to make the team before the offseason started, leaving two or three spots up for grabs. Chris Roland-Wallace has been the starting slot corner for much of the team's training camp and preseason, and I think he is as close to a sure thing as you can get. Kristian Fulton takes the final spot, and assuming he is not traded, this feels like the most likely way the Chiefs will round out their DB group.

Safeties (4): Alohi Gillman, Jaden Hicks, Xavier Nwankpa, Chamarri Conner

Biggest question: Which UDFA will earn the fourth safety spot?

Losing Bryan Cook to free agency was a major blow to the Chiefs' defense, but with the addition of Alohi Gilman, they hope the unit can remain a strong suit in 2026. Despite not playing much last year, the Chiefs seem to have faith in Jaden Hicks, and I expect him to step into a big role this year. The final two spots go to Chamarri Conner, who will move into his natural position in 2026, and Xavier Nwankpa, who will make the team as a UDFA pickup out of Iowa.

Special Teams (3): Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester

Biggest question: Can we make 70 yard kicks?

A 69-yard field goal? Come on now. All three of these players will be safe going into 2026 and will be key parts of the team's special teams operation.

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