The Kansas City Chiefs' work is never done, even with the first game not for many more months. While we wait for who they play in Week 1, the organization is readying for the dog days of summer where much of the roster takes shape.
If you pull up Kansas City's depth chart on their team website, you will notice plenty of open spots in the starting roles. I mean, there is no point in updating the depth chart right now, but it is an ironic representation of how many jobs are up[ for grabs right now. Between departing free agents and underperformers, Chiefs Kingdom deserves to see some new blood in the starting 25.
Not all of these battles are for the top dog, but still important roles nonetheless. Let's take a look at the five roster battles you need to watch this offseason.
Punter
Primary participants: Matt Araiza, Ryan Rehkow
The punting battle brewing in Kansas City is not your typical camp news—it promises to be an entertaining showdown. Chiefs Kingdom rejoiced when Veach added "Punt God" Matt Araiza to the roster, with his legal issues behind him. The Buffalo Bills released their 2022 sixth-round pick, who had been named their starting punter, following allegations from 2022, despite already having assigned him the role. With the lawsuits settled in December 2023, Araiza had a clear road back to the NFL.
Araiza's collegiate resume is impressive, boasting achievements like being a unanimous All-American and clinching the 2021 Ray Guy Award for the nation's top collegiate punter. But professional sports is all about what a player has done lately, and it will be nearly two years between Araiza's preseason with Buffalo and his performance in St. Joseph. Camp competition is always good, but Veach brought in an insurance policy for Araiza in rookie Ryan Rehkow.
The BYU alum signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs after spending four years with the Cougars. He played in 50 games, landing on the Ray Guy Award watch list for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, he concluded the season as the Big 12's top punter, maintaining an average of 48.4 yards per punt, a feat that also secured him the second position nationally. His 31 punts greater than 50 yards led the conference by a wide margin as well. Rehkow has a powerful leg, one that could rival the rusty Araiza.
Tommy Townsend became a first-team All-Pro after the Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent a few years ago. Townsend signed with the Houston Texans at the beginning of the season, which opened up a spot alongside Harrison Butker. Araiza and Rehkow both have booming legs, with their drawbacks. In any case, Kansas City boasts two exceptional punting options to kick off the summer.
Left tackle
Primary participants: Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia
There is no more impactful roster battle this summer than the one protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side. The Chiefs have two options on the roster for their starting left tackle: rookie Kingsley Suamataia and sophomore Wanya Morris. In my opinion, Kansas City should consider Donovan Smith as an additional option later this summer. Despite that, both Morris and Suamataia show potential.
Let's look at the rookie first. Kansas City traded up one spot to draft Suamataia out of BYU. He allowed just two sacks across the last two collegiate seasons but was viewed largely as a draft-and-develop tackle, rather than a Week 1 starter. However, Suamataia demonstrates the right mindset for either role, showcasing determination and a strong work ethic.
“[I] just come in and work every day. I’ve got to put my best forward and outwork the guy in front of me,” Suamataia said. “I definitely love all the guys that are here, coming in as a rookie trying to gain all the knowledge I can so I can learn the playbook the best, so I can potentially be out there and play next to them. It’s definitely a great opportunity for me, I’m super excited. I’m happy, [Head] coach [Andy Reid] can put that on me that I can play, I’m ready.”
If I had to pick a starting left tackle right now, it would be Morris. He stepped in nicely as a rookie last year, starting in four of his 14 games. Following Smith's injuries, Morris took on a more significant role, displaying a mix of performances that varied in their outcomes. In some games, Morris would look like a viable starting left tackle; other times, he would look like an overwhelmed rookie. No matter what, Veach said he was pleased with the process.
“I think we were really happy with Wanya’s development last year,” Veach said. “I think he showed some signs early on [in] the OTAs that we were really excited about, continue that growth and maturation process during the training camp. Then, middle of the season there, he got an opportunity, some good, some bad."
Looking ahead, the competition appears to be wide open as we head into the summer months. A lot is riding on who the Chiefs pick, but either player can win this job with good summer showings.
RB3
Primary participants: Carson Steele, Emani Bailey, Keaontay Ingram, Deneric Prince
Kansas City's top two running back options right now are clearly Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Jerick McKinnon had a resurgent couple of years with the Chiefs before becoming available in free agency. The 32-year-old's tenure in Kansas City seems to be over, especially with a rookie taking his jersey number.
Since McKinnon is not returning, Kansas City has several players vying to take his place, including Emani Bailey, Carson Steele, and Deneric Prince. Following the 2024 NFL Draft, general manager Brett Veach explicitly outlined the competition for the Chiefs' 53-man roster.
"I do think, though, we have some guys that all have ability and now it’s just a matter of those guys going out there and earning a position," Veach said. "From a talent perspective, as you mentioned with (Emani) Bailey and (Carson) Steele we brought in and then last year, (Deneric) Prince and Keaontay Ingram, all of those guys have talent and ability to play in this league. Now, it’s just a matter of who can put together a solid training camp and earn the position.”
Kansas City brought in several viable depth options, all with their advantages and disadvantages, and we will wait to see who grabs the job. It isn't an inspiringly competitive field, but it gives some running backs a real shot in Kansas City.
Veach focused on Ingram in his press availability, saying he "is a guy we like too." The USC alum hasn't produced much at the NFL level but still has elite athletic traits at 24 years old. The Chiefs brought him in late last year, so Ingram has the edge over players like Steele and Bailey.
Prince only played in two games last season after showing potential in camp and preseason action. Along with Bailey and Steele, he is another undrafted free agent option. All three have traits that could keep them in the organization, but they have to excel in camp. Regardless of the outcome, the RB3 group is anticipated to have some highlight-reel moments during OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and training camp.
CB2
Primary participants: Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Kamal Hadden, Nazeeh Johnson
With former top cornerback L'Jarius Sneed suiting up with the Tennessee Titans, this is Trent McDuffie's room to lead. The 2022 first-round pick has met expectations and surpassed them, quietly becoming one of the league's top defenders last season. But this is the first season in a while that there isn't a clear cornerback tandem in Kansas City. This cornerback room seems wide open heading into the summer.
The two top CB2 options are 2022 fourth- and seventh-round picks Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson. Those two are the latest developmental success stories for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt. Watson had a better rookie season than Williams, but Williams bounced back while the other had a sophomore slump.
Both had similar defensive workloads, but Williams stood taller in force incompletions, receptions allowed, and passer rating allowed. He was a developmental pick out of Fayetteville State, and he is trending in the right direction.
In that same vein, I cannot discount two other late-round selections in this depth chart race. Kansas City is rolling the dice on Kamal Hadden, a former Tennessee Volunteer whose draft stock plummeted after a season-ending shoulder injury. He was insanely productive in SEC competition, with 11 passes defended and three interceptions in 2023. He also has NFL-level athletic traits, including "sticky coverage, because of his pattern recognition, foot quickness, and play confidence," according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler.
Johnson is the wild card in this race, after missing the 2023 season due to injury. He told A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman that, bluntly, the Chiefs "got big things planned for me" heading into 2024. He was working with the first-team defense in 2023 before an ACL tear sidelined him. If he is healthy, and he looks healthy, Johnson's ceiling is very high in Kansas City.
S3/4
Primary participants: Chamarri Conner, Deon Bush, Jaden Hicks
This is likely Chamarri Conner's job to lose, but he has some quality competition this summer. PFF graded him as Kansas City's second-best defensive back in coverage, with his 78.4 only trailing McDuffie. Conner, a 2023 fourth-round pick, really stepped up in the regular season's second half. But it was his postseason performance, especially a 10-tackle start against the Buffalo Bills, that garnered him attention. With Justin Reid and Bryan Cook assumed to be Kansas City's top two safeties, Cook can play a versatile role in Spagnuolo's design.
Bush is the elder statesman of the defensive back room, entering his ninth NFL season. He performed well as a roleplayer when injuries hit the Chiefs, including notching an interception in the AFC Championship Game. He will have a special team role with the Chiefs, no matter what.
Jaden Hicks is the rookie chess piece that will either sink or swim with the Chiefs ahead of the season. Kansas City drafted Hicks in the fourth round this year, and he is widely considered a steal for the defending Super Bowl champions. Hicks' versatility and nose for the football should get him on the field early and often.
"[Kansas City is] going to utilize his skillset very well," Chiefs West Regional Scout Greg Castillo said. "He's very versatile. He can play at the linebacker depth, he can play the deep middle free safety, he can play quarters…He can do a lot, and he can do a lot effectively."
How effective he can be against NFL competition remains to be seen, but the team seems very high on the Washington State product.