The Kansas City Chiefs officially kicked off training camp on Sunday. With the start of camp fans can finally start to put speculation behind them and start to actually look at what is happening on the field. While coaches (and sometimes the media) will often tell you "every spot is up for grabs", the truth is we can safely predict many of the 53-man roster spots already and there are only a handful of spots truly up for grabs.
Following the draft I did an early 53-man roster projection, but a few things have changed over the last two months. So as camp kicks off let's take a look at each position and who is likely making the team and where the biggest roster battles are so you know where to focus your attention during training camp. We'll kick things off with the quarterbacks.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Quarterbacks (2)
On the Team:
- Patrick Mahomes
- Blaine Gabbert
Missing the Cut:
- Shane Buechele
- Chris Oladokun
Many of you will argue for the Chiefs keeping Shane Buechele as a third quarterback on the active roster. I get it, but I think they may need that spot for a 7th wide receiver this season. If the Chiefs get down to their third quarterback they're in trouble anyway and it's not like they're grooming Buechele to take over someday.
If both Mahomes and Gabbert got hurt I actually think there is a good chance they would try to get Chad Henne out of retirement regardless of if Buechele is on the roster, so you might as well add some depth at another position.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Running Backs (3)
On the Team:
- Isiah Pacheco
- Jerick McKinnon
Official Camp Battle For One Spot:
- Clyde Edwards Helaire vs Deneric Prince
Missing the Cut:
- La'Mical Perine
While you can lock in Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon on the roster if they're healthy, I think the third runnning back spot is one of the true training camp battles. Clyde Edwards-Helaire knows the offense and while he hasn't lived up to his draft slot, he does provide depth in case either Pacheco or McKinnon misses time. Deneric Prince is an enticing undrafted rookie that could make CEH expendable if he shows enough during camp and preseason games.
Some people will clamour for trading CEH, but given that teams don't want to sign more productive veteran running backs that are available in free agency, I wouldn't hold my breath that anyone will give up a draft pick for CEH.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Wide Receiver (7)
On the Team:
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Kadarius Toney
- Skyy Moore
- Rashee Rice
- Richie James
- Justin Watson
Official Camp Battle For One Spot:
- Justyn Ross vs Shane Buechele?
Missing the Cut:
- John Ross
- Nikko Remigio
- Imhir Smith-Marsette
- Cornell Powell
- Jerrion Ealy
- Ty Fryfogle
- Kekoa Crawford
The top four wideouts are no-brainers. Some people will tell you that Richie James and Justin Watson are fighting for roster spots, but I don't believe it. Toney's injury history and Moore and Rice's inexperience mean that you need a veteran like James as insurance and Watson's contract and special teams play make him a lock too.
So why pick my wideout camp battle as Justyn Ross vs a quarterback in Shane Buechelle? Well, I just don't see John Ross or Nikko Remigio as realistic options, so in my opinion Justyn Ross is competing to show the Chiefs that they'd be better off keeping him than a third quarterback. The rest of the wideout camp battles have more to do with playing time and targets than who is making the team.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Tight End (4)
On the Team:
- Travis Kelce
- Noah Gray
- Blake Bell
- Jody Fortson
Missing the Cut:
- Matt Bushman
- Kendall Blanton
The Chiefs led the NFL in 13 personnel last season (three tight end sets) and when you combine that with them not rostering a true fullback this season, I think it makes four tight ends a sure thing. I'm a Matt Bushman fan and wanted to put him in a roster battle for the 4th tight end spot, but if I'm being honest, I think the top four are pretty set already.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Offensive Line (9)
On the Team:
- Creed Humphrey
- Joe Thuney
- Trey Smith
- Jawaan Taylor
- Donovan Smith
- Wanya Morris
- Nick Allegretti
- Lucas Niang
- Darian Kinnard
Missing the Cut:
- Prince Tega Wanogho
- Austin Reiter
- Mike Caliendo
- Jerome Carvin
- Sebastian Gutierrez
- Anderson Hardy
- Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick
I think you'll see a lot of people that would have Prince Tega Wanogho fighting for a spot or on the roster. I just don't see it. Lucas Niang has starting experience over him, they're giving rookie Wanya Morris left tackle reps already, and Darrian Kennard can play at right tackle and guard, I think Wanogho is the odd man out at tackle. Nick Allegretti's ability to play guard and center make Austin Reiter expendable as well.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Defensive Line (10)
Defensive Ends on the Team:
- George Karlaftis
- Charles Omenihu
- Mike Danna
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah
- B.J. Thompson
Defensive Tackles on the Team:
- Chris Jones
- Derrick Nnadi
- Turk Wharton
- Keondre Coburn
- Free Agent Not Currently On The Roster
Missing the Cut:
- Malik Herring
- Joshua Kaindoh
- Truman Jones
- Danny Shelton
- Daniel Wise
- Phil Hoskins
- Matt Dickerson
- Chris Williams
I think the Chiefs keep ten total defensive line positions, but I think they're currently hurting for NFL caliber defensive tackles that can play on early downs. Chris Jones is currently holding out, Tershaun Wharton isn't cleared to practice yet, Derrick Nnadi lost playing time to Khalen Saunders last season, and Keondre Coburn is a 6th round rookie. I don't think Danny Shelton is the answer, but he's the most likely candidate if they don't sign anyone.
I'd look for KC to sign a veteran before the season starts. Shelby Harris, Matt Iannidis, Chris Wormley (if healthy), Ndamukong Suh, and Akiem Hicks are all options that are still available and would be upgrades over what they have. KC will have to sign Jones to an extension to clear enough cap to get one of those deals done, so they'll be short handed in the meantime.
KC could also sign a veteran defensive end like Carlos Dunlap, but I see defensive tackle as a bigger need right now. I think KC's current top five defensive ends are pretty clear.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Linebacker (5)
On the Team:
- Nick Bolton
- Willie Gay Jr.
- Drue Tranquill
- Leo Chenal
Official Camp Battle For One Spot:
- Jack Cochrane vs Cam Jones
Missing the Cut:
- Isaiah Moore
- Cole Christiansen
The top four linebackers will play almost all of the actual linebacker snaps if everyone is healthy. I think the final spot is for a special teams guy. Last season that was Jack Cochrane, but I really like the potential of undrafted rookie Cam Jones as well. That is a roster battle to watch in camp, not only who looks better playing linebacker, but who is getting more reps and standing out on special teams.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Defensive Backs (10)
Cornerbacks on the Team:
- Trent McDuffie
- L'Jarius Sneed
- Jaylen Watson
- Joshua Williams
Safeties on the Team:
- Justin Reid
- Mike Edwards
- Bryan Cook
- Chamarri Conner
Official Camp Battle: Three Guys for Two Spots
- Deon Bush vs Nazeeh Johnson vs Nic Jones
Missing the Cut:
- Dicaprio Bootle
- Ekow Boye-Doe
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Anthony Cook
- Lamar Jackson
- Reese Taylor
- Isaiah Norman
I think the top eight defensive back slots are set. Chamarrie Conner could either be listed under corner or safety and ability wise I'm not sure he's better than the three guys listed in the roster battle, but I think his draft stock gets him on the final roster.
I have no idea who the odd man out will be between Deon Bush, Nazeeh Jonson, and Nic Jones. That trio could be one of the more interesting bottom of the roster battles to watch.
Again, special teams could have a ton to do with which of those three make the cut. I really wanted to fit Dicaprio Bootle on the roster, but all the defensive backs they've drafted the past two seasons make that almost impossible to do.
Chiefs Final 53-man Roster: Specialists (3)
On the Team:
- Harrison Butker
- Tommy Townsend
- James Winchester
There really isn't anything to discuss or debate here. Barring a camp injury, these three fill out the final three roster spots and bring our total number to 53.
Final Roster Thoughts:
As we look over the entire roster, I think that most of the spots are pretty set. There could be more battles for playing time/roles, especially in the wide receivers, but in terms of making the team I think these are the biggest battles to watch in camp.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs Deneric Prince for the final RB spot
- Justyn Ross vs keeping a 3rd quarteback (Shane Buechele)
- Final Defensive Line Spot: FA defensive tackle vs FA defensive end vs someone on the roster
- Deon Bush vs Nazeeh Jonhson vs Nic Jones for the final two DB spots
- Jack Cochrane vs Cam Jones for the final LB spot
So what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you think this is a fair evaluation of what roster spots are up for grabs? Do you think more wideouts or offensive lineman are in the mix than I do? Do I have the correct number of players that the Chiefs will keep at each position? I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments below.