After the Kansas City Chiefs' first preseason game on Saturday, we now have a clearer view of their potential opening-day roster. The Chiefs will have to set their initial 53-man roster by August 30 at 3 p.m. Arrowhead time.
A reminder that while we try to be as accurate as possible with these projections, it's impossible to be 100 percent accurate. We will be updating our roster predictions after each preseason game as well. Previously, the NFL had several smaller deadlines to get the roster down from 90 to 53. The new process only requires one cut-down day, so the Chiefs will set their final 53 all at once.
Quarterbacks
Making the roster: Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier (3)
Really, the only story in the quarterback room is Garrett Nussmeier, who played well in his professional debut. Given Nussmeier's draft pedigree coming into the 2025 season and what he's put on tape thus far, it's hard to imagine the Chiefs being able to sneak him onto the practice squad. If the Chiefs want to keep the seventh-round pick around, he'll need to be on the 53-man roster.
Running Backs
Making the roster: Kenneth Walker, Emari Demarcado, Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith (4)
Both Smith and Johnson saw a large workload during the first preseason game. While Demarcado playing in the fourth quarter did raise some eyebrows, his path to playing time remains pass protection, something he excels at. No surprises in the RB room. Johnson and Smith can add value in the return game as well.
Wide Receivers
Making the roster: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Cyrus Allen, Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio, Andrew Armstrong (7)
The top of the receiver room seems obvious. The question is Royals, Remigio and Armstrong. Remigio seems to get the ever-important stamp of approval from special teams coordinator Dave Toub. Royals has had ups and downs all camp, but the Chiefs might not want to cut bait on a fourth-round pick just one year later. Armstrong held up to his name, showing some real blocking highlights in the first game. If he can contribute to special teams, he has a path. The Chiefs have kept seven or eight receivers over the last few years.
Tight Ends
Making the roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley (3)
There have been flashes from UDFA players such as Jake Briningstool and Tre Watson. However, if the Chiefs are going to keep three quarterbacks and seven receivers, they'll have to go light elsewhere. Watson and Briningstool will both be practice squad candidates.
Offensive Line
Making the roster: Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Khalil Benson, Jaylon Moore, Mike Caliendo, Esa Pole, Hunter Nourzad (9)
The only conversation here is who wins the right tackle job and the depth. Right now, Benson and Moore still seem to be trading reps back and forth. Both are roster locks. The other conversation is about the depth behind them. Benson and Moore being able to play some tackle and guard as well helps them carry only nine. Pole can play right or left tackle, then there's Caliendo for the guard spots and Nourzad at center. The depth here is a concern, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Chiefs put in a claim on waivers, as they are higher up in the order than usual.
Defensive Line
Making the roster: Chris Jones, Peter Woods, Khyiris Tonga, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, George Karlaftis, R Mason Thomas, Emmanuel Ogbah, Ashton Gillotte (8)
The Chiefs' recent addition of Emmanuel Ogbah rounds out the room as a whole. With only three interior defensive linemen, look for Anudike-Uzomah, Ogbah and Karlaftis to kick inside at times until Omarr Norman-Lott returns. With the defensive line, it is very clear there is a hierarchy of who will make the team and who will not.
Linebackers
Making the team: Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Jeffrey Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Jack Cochrane (5)
The Chiefs typically go heavier on linebacker than expected, as their contributions on special teams play a big role in roster construction. Bassa, McDonald and Cochrane all figure to be four-phase contributors. There's not much competition here beyond LB4 and LB5.
Defensive Backs
Making the team: Nohl Williams, Mansoor Delane, L'Jarius Sneed, Kristian Fulton, Chris Roland-Wallace, Jadon Canady, Kader Kohu, Alohi Gillman, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Xavier Nwankpa (11)
Very heavy here, but some of that is due to a young core of players and injury risks. L'Jarius Sneed is on serious load management, and Kristian Fulton also has never played 17 games in a season. Right now, the slot job appears to be Chris Roland-Wallace's to lose. If there's a name here who might be on the chopping block, it's Kader Kohu, who appears to be third in line at the slot and is on a one-year deal. Rookie UDFA Xavier Nwankpa appears to be the fourth or fifth safety, depending on how you want to count Roland-Wallace. He will likely be a special teams player and depth but has shown enough to make the roster.
Specialists
Making the team: Harrison Butker, James Winchester, Matt Araiza (3)
No surprises here. Araiza has been developing into a very good punter, and Winchester remains the longest-tenured player on the roster.
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