The NFL preseason is a prime time for two primary activities on the part of an organization's leadership. For the coaches, it's about sifting through the talent already present on a team's roster in order to figure out the best players at each position—to sort out the competition. For a front office, the task is about scanning the league (and other places) to see where new talent might be acquired.
That happens in both ways in a preseason game, and the Kansas City Chiefs will remain busy on both fronts on Saturday in a visit to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
While Andy Reid and company are trying to figure out if KIngsley Suamataia can handle left tackle or to see which wide receivers look like they're worth giving the last couple of rosters spots to, the front office should also be scanning the opponent's roster for players who might wiggle free when cuts are due.
To get a bit of a preview on the latter front, we asked our friend Carlos Sanchez from our great Jags blog, Black and Teal, to tell us who he could see as the most talented roster cuts for the Jags this preseason.
Elijah Cooks, WR
Carlos says: "An undrafted free agent WR in 2023. The Jaguars carried seven receivers last year because they didn't want to lose Cooks on the waiver wire. That's why they waived Gerrit Prince. Was buried on the depth chart and was a healthy scratch for several games. But he flashed near the end of the year. He's a big target at 6'4". The Jags may not keep him because they have another undrafted free agent potentially getting ahead of him on the depth chart (Joshua Cephus)."
We say: What's interesting to note here is that the Chiefs liked what the Jags cast aside last year in Gerrit Prince and fans will recognize that name as a developmental tight end who has been around. Would they like Cooks even more? Seems intriguing at a position that's definitely up in the air.
Gregory Junior, CB
Carlos says: "A sixth-round selection in 2022. First prospect out of Ouachita Baptist ever to be drafted. Hardly got any playing time as a rookie. Was dubbed the most improved player in the 2023 offseason but landed on the injured reserve to start the season. He got more defensive snaps as a sophomore but not nearly enough to make a difference. He may be a better fit in the slot, but could play in the boundaries if needed."
We say: The Chiefs love themselves an ascending young corner, but at this point, it's hard to see any need at all to add to a competitive mix that other teams are going to want to raid for whoever doesn't make it.
Tyler Lacy, DT
Carlos says: "A 4th round pick last year. Got minimal playing time in 2023 but has made a leap in training camp. He's made plays and is seen as a candidate to improve. Trouble is that the Jaguars are loaded on the interior offensive line. And even if they move him to the edge, he would be the 4th or 5th option."
We say: Bring it on. The Chiefs are not loaded in any capacity on the edge or interior with a precipitous fall from Chris Jones to the rest of the talent there. The Chiefs are especially thin in terms of depth along the interior and could be relying on rookie free agent Fabien Lovett.