4 Chiefs players who could lose snaps to rookies in 2024

Another offseason, and it's business as usual once again for these Kansas City Chiefs. So long as Patrick Mahomes is a Chief, this team is thinking Super Bowl.

Extending a guy like Travis Kelce and ensuring Chris Jones stuck around were two high priorities for this club, but they also found additional talent via the 2024 NFL Draft.

After the draft, this roster is even more well-equipped for a run at a third consecutive Super Bowl title. Speaking of the draft and those rookies, might Kansas City see some first-year players make a significant impact this year?

The Chiefs could see some veterans, in particular, lose out on playing time to a few members of the 2024 rookie class

Marquise Brown, WR

The Chiefs drafted Xavier Worthy in Round 1, so he's going to get plenty of action. There's no doubt about that. Kansas City also signed Marquise Brown in free agency, but Brown might be indirectly affected by the drafting of Worthy because of fellow veteran Justin Watson.

Mahomes trusts Justin Watson (51 percent of offensive snaps in 2023). If Worthy pops this summer, which is likely, then the Chiefs might have to take snaps away from Brown, first, because Watson is going to get his playing time.

Noah Gray, TE

For three years now, Noah Gray has been the Travis Kelce backup. And, he's been trustworthy. In three seasons, Gray has caught 63 passes for 640 yards and four touchdowns. But, the Chiefs drafted TCU's Jared Wiley in Round 4 this year.

Wiley is a huge target, standing 6-foot-6. And, a fourth-round pick is pretty significant draft capital to spend at a position which already features Kelce and Gray. We know Kelce is going to be the star, so Gray could lose out on some playing time in favor of the rookie.

Wanya Morris, OT

Kansas City knew they had to address the tackle position in the draft, and they did by selecting Kingsley Suamataia in the second round. The BYU product comes in, technically, as the backup to veteran Wanya Morris right now.

But, Morris wasn't anything spectacular in 339 snaps played last season. He struggled, specifically, in run blocking. He also allowed 24 pressures on 235 pass blocking snaps, per PFF. Suamataia was taken with premium capital, therefore it should be expected for the rookie to take over for Morrris sooner than later.

Nic Jones, CB

This one isn't as obvious a situation, as Nic Jones isn't a starting cornerback for the Chiefs. But, he did play almost half of the special teams snaps in 2023. With a rookie like Kamal Hadden taken in the sixth round, special teams are going to be his best opportunity to secure playing time right away.

And, if it comes down to Jones or Hadden for a special teams spot, that battle could also result in a veteran losing snaps to a rookie.