The Kansas City Chiefs dismantled the Arizona Cardinals 38-10 on Saturday. The Chiefs looked much better in their second preseason game, maybe that was because they played better or maybe it was because of the quality of their opponent, but in the long run the score matters much less than what players came out of this game in a good position to make the final 53-man roster.
If you are a regular reader of my Monday morning musings, you have read my post-draft roster projection back in May and/or my start of training camp roster projection. While much of the roster projection remains the same at this point, there are several bottom-of-the-roster battles that have both been settled at this point and a few that have arisen since the start of training camp that I didn't see coming.
At this point, I believe there are only four roster spots up for grabs with one preseason game remaining. I've got 49 guys that I'm ready to call locks (barring someone getting traded or potential IR maneuvering). So let's take a look at each position group and see where the battles have been settled already and where there are a few spots still there for the taking.
Let's start by getting the special teams spots out of the way since there's no suspense there.
Special Teams (3)
53-Man Roster Locks:
Harrison Butker
Tommy Townsend
James Winchester
There really isn't anything else to discuss here. So let's move on to quarterbacks, where things have gotten a little more interesting during the last couple of weeks.
Quarterbacks (3)
53-Man Roster Locks:
Patrick Mahomes
Blaine Gabbert
Shane Buechele
Missing the Cut:
Chris Oladokun
In both of my previous roster projections, I had the Chiefs only keeping Mahomes and Gabbert. Shane Buechele has won me over this preseason, so much so that I considered the possibility that they might move on from Gabbert. However, the NFL's new rule that says your third quarterback doesn't count against your game day actives is enough reason for me to believe the Chiefs will carry three guys at the most important position in football.
With Gabbert on just a one-year deal, I believe Buechele may graduate to the second QB spot next season and they'll find another young option to bring along behind him next offseason.
Next up, the running backs.
Running Backs (3)
53-Man Roster Locks:
Isiah Pacheco
Jerick McKinnon
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Practice Squad Candidates:
Deneric Prince
La'Mical Perine
Missing the Cut:
Jerrion Ealy
In both of my first two roster projections I had Clyde Edwards-Helaire's roster spot in jeopardy. The hype around Deneric Prince was big enough that I thought he was expendable. I guess there's a small chance that someone would trade a late round pick for him still, but I think he's a lock to make the team otherwise.
With KC looking to possibly squeeze seven wideouts onto the roster, it makes it hard to keep four running backs and CEH's experience makes him quality depth should Isiah Pacheco have any more injury issues. Plus, Prince's lackluster preseason so far means they may be able to get him on the practice squad.
Even if they can't, La'Mical Perine would be fine practice squad depth as well and based on the Cardinals game the Chiefs may even prefer him over Prince.
Next up, the wide receivers.
Wide Receivers (7)
53-Man Roster Locks:
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Kadarius Toney
Skyy Moore
Rashee Rice
Justyn Ross
Justin Watson
Richie James
Practice Squad/Toney IR Replacement/IR Stash Options:
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Nikko Remigio
Kekoa Crawford
Missing the Cut:
Cornell Powell
Ty Fryfogle
Ty Scott
I think if Kadarius Toney doesn't need any time on injured reserve, then the top seven wideouts are set. In fact, at this point, I would be shocked if they didn't keep those exact seven guys. I know many people will argue for one of the younger guys to make it over Justin Watson, but I just don't see the Chiefs doing that.
I do think the Chiefs will use Nikko Remigio's shoulder injury as a way to IR stash him for a year even if he could have gotten back on the field. I can also see them trying to replace Toney on the active roster with Smith-Marsette if Toney isn't ready for the start of the season. Kekoa Crawford is another young guy they will likely want to keep around on the practice squad to let develop.
Next up, the tight ends.
Tight End (3)
53-Man Roster Locks:
Travis Kelce
Noah Gray
Final Roster Battle:
Blake Bell vs Matt Bushman
Practice Squad Candidates:
Bell/Bushman battle loser
Kendall Blanton
Izaiah Gathings
I originally believed that the Chiefs would keep four tight ends, but I'm starting to think with depth issuees in other spots that may not be the case. That makes the Blake Bell vs Matt Bushman our first official 53-man roster battle.
Blake Bell has been the designated blocking tight end for years, but with Gray looking improved as a blocker and getting some of those reps and Bushman looking like a solid blocker in his own right (but with better receiving chops than Bell), this is a spot where I think they are going to battle down to the wire.
The loser may be a top practice squad priority and could even be added as a fourth tight end if someone else on the 53 goes on IR or is suspended (like Charles Omenihu). I also think Blanton and Gathings have some practice squad appeal as well.
Next up, the offensive line.
Offensive Line (9)
53-Man Roster Locks:
Donovan Smith
Joe Thuney
Creed Humphrey
Trey Smith
Jawaan Taylor
Wanya Morris
Nick Allegretti
Darian Kinnard
Lucas Niang
Practice Squad Candidates:
Mike Caliendo
Prince Tega Wanogho
Jason Godrick
Missing the Cut:
Sebastian Gutierrez
Austin Reiter
Jerome Carvin
Anderson Hardy
The Chiefs starting five is set and looks great. Wanya Morris has had a promising start to his career as a swing tackle option. Nick Allegretti is a lock as interior depth and I believe Kinnard's draft capital from a year ago and play at guard this preseason will keep him around as well.
I considered having Lucas Niang vs Prince Tega Wanogho as a battle for the final backup tackle spot, but I can't see them cutting Niang and his starting experience when they have Morris on the roster who can back up left tackle. In fact, keeping Niang means Morris can primarily play left tackle with the second team in practice which will allow him to develop as a potential replacement for Donovan Smith.
Mike Caliendo has looked like someone worth keeping around on the practice squad and I think Jason Godrick has shown enough movement skills as someone completely new to the sport of football to potentially keep around on the practice squad as well.
Now let's move to the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Line (10)
Defensive End 53-Man Roster Locks:
George Karlaftis
Charles Omenihu
Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Mike Danna
BJ Thompson
Defensive Tackle 53-Man Roster Locks:
Chris Jones
Derrick Nnadi
Keondre Coburn
Danny Shelton
Final Roster Battle:
Tershawn Wharton
Malik Herring
Free Agent Signing
Practice Squad Candidates:
Truman Jones
Joshua Kaindoh
Daniel Wise
Missing the Cut:
Matt Dickerson
Phil Hoskins
Chris Williams
I've got the Chiefs keeping ten total defensive linemen. I think nine of those spots are settled right now. I thought about having two open spots and not including Danny Shelton as a lock, but the Chiefs have liked to carry a veteran nose tackle type the last couple of years for short-yardage situations and Shelton looks like that guy this season.
That leaves Wharton, Herring, and a possible free-agent addition (like Carlos Dunlap) fighting for one spot. The Chiefs could push that decision down the road if Wharton begins the year on IR (although they would need to have him make the initial roster to not risk losing him). Omenihu will open up a roster spot for the first six games. So if Herring doesn't get claimed he could be cut and immediately brought back to take Omenihu's spot.
It still feels like a veteran signing is coming once a Chris Jones deal is done. If Jones were to hold out into the regular season then that would change things because K.C. might have to look at a veteran DT instead of someone like Dunlap. The other defensive tackle options on the roster just aren't NFL caliber.
Next up, the linebackers.
Linebacker (5)
53-Man Roster Locks:
Nick Bolton
Willie Gay Jr.
Drue Tranquill
Leo Chenal
Jack Cochrane
Practice Squad Candidates:
Cam Jones
Cole Christiansen
Missing the Cut:
Olakunie Fatukasi
I came into the offseason thinking that the battle for the final linebacker spot was wide open, but I believe Jack Cochrane has slammed the door shut on this one. Yes, Cole Christiansen has put up nice tackle numbers, but Cochrane has looked very good on defense in the preseason (he sees the ball well and flows through traffic to get there) as well as being a core special teams contributor last season.
The top four spots are the ones that will play most of the actual linebacker snaps and their spots have never been in doubt.
Finally, let's look at the defensive backs and the final two roster spots that are up for grabs.
Defensive Backs (10)
Cornerback 53-Man Roster Locks:
L'Jarius Sneed
Trent McDuffie
Joshua Williams
Jaylen Watson
Safety 53-Man Roster Locks:
Justin Reid
Bryan Cook
Mike Edwards
Chamarri Conner
Final Roster Battle (for 2 roster spots):
Deon Bush
Nic Jones
Kahlef Hailassie
Ekow Boye-Doe
Practice Squad Candidates:
The losers of the roster battle above
Dicaprio Bootle
Missing the Cut:
Lamar Jackson
Duron Lowe
Reese Taylor
Anthony Cook
Isaiah Norman
I've got the Chiefs keeping ten defensive backs this year and eight of those are set in stone. The final two defensive back roster spots are very interesting. Deon Bush is an experienced vet with a ton of special teams upside. However, with how good Chamarri Conner has looked, the Chiefs may like their top four safety options (Reid/Cook/Edwards/Conner) enough to let the veteran go to keep an extra promising young player.
I felt like Nic Jones was on track to be a lock earlier in camp, but his hand injury could open the door for some IR shenanigans if K.C. is worried about Hailassie or Boye-Doe not making it to the practice squad. It's a great problem to have, but the decision on who to protect out of these four will be fun to see play out and it may come down to their play in the final preseason game.
So what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you agree with the 49 players that I have as locks? Do you agree that the only battles still in play are for the last tight end spot, the last defensive line spot, and the last two defensive back spots? I'd love to get your opinions in the comments below.