Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster predictions 2.0

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.