The challenge of completing final rosters is the next major date on the NFL calendar. With each team cutting down to 53 players, some players are hoping they did enough in training camp and the preseason to secure a spot. In other instances, some players are hanging on for dear life to avoid being leapfrogged by someone else on the depth chart.
The Kansas City Chiefs have roughly four to six spots that are up for grabs with the preseason schedule coming to a close. Do they go with six or seven players at wide receiver? How many bodies are kept for depth in the trenches on both the offensive line and the defensive line?
Some obvious names will be locks to make the Kansas City roster. However, some sleepers could steal a roster spot for K.C. as well. Here are four names who have made a compelling case to earn one of the final spots.
LB Curtis Jacobs
Is it possible that the Chiefs could keep six total linebackers? At this point, it would be a bit foolish to completely rule that out. You have a couple of reasons as to why that is the case.
For starters, special teams roles are going to be vital, and Kansas City holds those in high regard. With new rules, tactics, and schemes on the kickoff, perhaps a special teams role possesses even more importance for NFL teams this year. In addition, the Chiefs have done a tremendous job at building a well-rounded and deep linebacker room, based on training camp and preseason results.
Curtis Jacobs is an undrafted free agent who is capable of stealing a roster spot that Chiefs fans may be sleeping on. In the preseason, he has shown a great understanding of working downhill in the run game. There are also reps from his Penn State days that indicate he can anticipate throws and is a fine enough athlete in space to cover tight ends. With his size and toughness, the Chiefs may feel like he is worth keeping for a final spot.
LB Swayze Bozeman
From one undrafted free agent rookie linebacker to another. Swayze Bozeman was a name that popped for the Chiefs at training camp. It is yet another physical, tough defender that Kansas City has been able to incorporate into this defensive core. Bozeman has been able to flash by playing with his hair on fire. That immense energy can be provided as a downhill run defender or with his instincts in space.
It may not be likely that both Jacobs and Bozeman make it at linebacker. Due to his performances, you have to think that Jack Cochrane has locked himself into the LB4 spot behind Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal. Cam Jones has been up and down. And while Cole Christiansen has not drastically hurt his chances, there is a slight chance that both Jacobs and Bozeman have done enough to jump him.
The odds are slim that both are able to make it. However, Jacobs and Bozeman have both made a compelling case.
DB Chris Roland-Wallace
Of all the depth defensive backs, Chris Roland-Wallace has continued to stand out more than others. An undrafted free agent rookie out of USC, Roland-Wallace has been able to flash in a few different areas. His help in run support as a tackler has been on display in each preseason game. There appears to be adequate eye discipline and instincts in pass coverage. Finally, his versatility to play either cornerback or safety will greatly help his odds on this particular roster.
If the Chiefs are looking at the performances of their depth defensive backs, no one has touched the reps and results that Roland-Wallace has put out there. There were other defensive backs that entered training camp with seemingly a leg up on securing a roster spot. But as a true sleeper, Roland-Wallace has progressed steadily.
DE Truman Jones
Truman Jones has begun to gain some steam as the final roster decisions have become closer. The depth along the defensive line is extremely scant. It also does not help Kansas City that they are dealing with injuries in that area of the roster. Both Charles Omenihu and Derrick Nnadi are currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. And as for BJ Thompson, he currently sits on the non-football injury list.
Behind George Karlaftis and Mike Danna, the Chiefs could use another capable pass rusher. Felix Anudike-Uzomah will be given a major chance in his second season. But beyond that, there is little to no pass rush juice among the other defensive ends. If you are looking for some quickness off of the edge, Jones provides that more than Malik Herring. With some pressure in the second preseason game, Jones is a sleeper that the Chiefs may need to have available if necessary early in the regular season.