Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster projections following preseason Week 2

After the Chiefs 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions , let's make our next round of projections for the initial 53-man roster.

After the Chiefs' first preseason game on Saturday, we have a clearer view of their potential opening-day roster. The Chiefs will have to set their initial 53-man roster by August 27th at 3 pm Arrowhead time.

A reminder that while we try to be as accurate as possible with these projections, it's impossible to be 100% accurate. We will be updating our roster predictions after each preseason game as well. Previously, the NFL had several smaller deadlines to get the roster down from 90 to 53. The new process only requires one cut-down day. So the Chiefs will set their final 53 all at once.

Quarterbacks

Making the Chiefs roster: Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz

The Chiefs have the best QB situation they've had in years. Patrick Mahomes comes in as the undisputed best starting quarterback in the NFL. Former MVP candidate Carson Wentz was added to the roster this off-season, bringing the highest upside to the back QB position since Mahomes filled the role in 2017. Carson Wentz had a much better showing this week against the Lions going 5/10 including a touchdown. Expect to see a healthy dose of Wentz on Thursday in the final pre-season game.

Running Backs

Making the Chiefs roster: Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince

We know Isiah Pacheco is a lock to make the roster and after seeing Carson Steele mix in with the 1st team offense he feels like a lock as well. The question is how loyal are the Chiefs to Clyde Edwards-Helaire who has had a lackluster camp and struggled to be available. Deneric Prince had some nice flashes and might offer more upside long term as well. Will the Chiefs feel comfortable with two backs with no NFL experience? Hard to say but for now we have CEH still making the squad.

Notable Omission: Louis Rees-Zammit and Emani Bailey

Fullback

Making the roster: Carson Steele

One of the stars of the preseason, Steele feels like a lock for the roster currently. Against the Jaguars we got to see his skills as a runner and a tackle breaker. This week against the Lions we saw the ability as a full back blocking and pass protecting. He also showed up on special teams further cementing his role on the roster

Wide Receivers

Making the Chiefs roster: Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Justyn Ross and Skyy Moore.

Without any update on a potential Rashee Rice suspension, we will assume he starts the season on the 53. Wide receiver has been one of the toughest spots to predict throughout camp. It feels safe to lock in the top four of Brown, Worthy, Rice, and Watson. From there, it gets complicated

Justyn Ross has had another strong camp and has contributed on special teams some as well. It feels like his role might be safe due to his body size and what he can do at the catch point. He might have a tougher case to make the roster without the injury to Brown but it feels like they need another body to play the X in the weeks Brown is out

Skyy Moore hasn't really done anything great in camp or preseason besides a nice kick return but he has been consistent. He frequently gets run with the second-string offense and mixes in with the first-team as well. The staff seems to trust him to be in the right spot offensively and contributes in special teams. Kadarius Toney's low standing on the depth chart and inability to stay healthy just illustrates that his career continues to be what it has previously been.

Nikko Remigio has been a camp darling and did have a nice return on special teams but that's been the main area he's made an impact. It feels like both Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore are more trusted offensive skill players who can also return as well. Remigio might be a practice squad candidate.

Notable Omissions: Kadarius Toney and Nikko Remigio

Tight Ends

Making the Chiefs roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley and Irv Smith Jr.

The Chiefs have been very committed to improving their heavy personnel packages this year. Irv Smith hasn't really made any big splashes, but he's been a trusted blocker and role player in the red zone. As much as fans are excited about rookie Jared Wiley, there are likely going to be some learning moments ahead for him in 2024. Smith gives a nice floor for the room.

Offensive Line

Making the Chiefs roster: Jawaan Taylor, Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad and Lucas Niang.

The offensive line seems to have been defined by injuries this training camp, though thankfully none of them major. The starting offensive line won't have played a snap together before they take the field against the Ravens. For now, the depth appears to be Caliendo and Nourzad on the interior and Morris and Niang on the outside. C.J. Hanson might just be the odd man out in this case.

Notable omission: C.J. Hanson

Interior Defensive Line

Making the Chiefs roster: Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi. Turk Wharton, Neil Farrell, Matt Dickerson and Mike Pennel

The Chiefs' interior was missing both Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi on Saturday night which gave us a good look at some depth pieces. Turk Wharton looks faster another year removed from ACL surgery and Matt Dickerson had some nice reps as well. It's hard to find a true standout in this group besides Jones but it feels like a game of quantity over quality. Fabien Lovett will likely be a nice practice squad candidate and still might factor into the roster throughout the year.

Notable omissions: Fabian Lovett

Edge Defenders

Making the Chiefs roster: George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Mike Danna, Malik Herring

Four seems a little light here but the injury to Charles Omenihu makes this a thinner group. Malik Herring played 36% of the defensive snaps in 2023 and will likely be counted on to start the year. Having flexibility with Chris Jones as an edge rusher here is handy as well. Before the medical emergency,

BJ Thompson was already going to have to fight for a roster spot. With him still not being cleared to practice it could be hard for him to make the 53. Felix Anudike-Uzomah showed some flashes of improvement on Saturday but there's still lots of room for growth, especially on running downs.

This feels like a position that the Chiefs might make an addition to before they play their first game..

Notable omissions: Charles Omenihu (PUP), BJ Thompson (NFI)

Linebackers

Making the Chiefs roster: Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, Drue Tranquill and Jack Cochrane

The top three are locked in but the defense has some snaps to replace with Willie Gay now in New Orleans. Jack Cochrane is highly regarded by both Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Toub, so he feels like a lock as well. The Chiefs have liked carrying 5 linebackers routinely but they might choose to go more heavy on safeties and corners with the depth they have at the position.

Notable omission: Curtis Jacobs, Cam Jones and Cole Christiansen

Cornerbacks

Making the Chiefs roster: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson and Keith Taylor

The most difficult position to predict, corner has been a battle all camp long. Right now, it feels like the core of McDuffie, Watson, Williams, and Johnson can all be locked in as making the squad then it gets complicated. We've not seen much of anything from Nic Jones or Kamal Hadden this camp or pre-season. It might be painful to move on from two recent day 3 picks but the Chiefs are in the business of having the best roster possible not keeping former draft picks.

Notable omissions: Nic Jones, Ekow Boye-Doye and Kamal Hadden

Safeties

Making the Chiefs roster: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks and Deon Bush

An injury to Justin Reid's quad has started him on the NFI list for training camp. However, the Chiefs haven't made a move to place him on PUP or IR which means he will likely begin the season on the active roster. Jaden Hicks might have been the most impressive rookie on the field Saturday night. Chiefs fans have lots to look forward to with him and a healthy Justin Reid on the same defense.

Safety is easily the deepest position on the roster with five meaningful contributors with some of the questions around the corner room the Chiefs might lean heavily into three safety formations. Especially with the versatility of Conner, the safety room will play a big role in coverage for the 2024 season.

Specialists

Making the Chiefs roster: Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester

No surprises here as the rookie Matt Araiza won the punting job in OTAs. Chiefs fans got a good look at the powerful leg he has this week against the Lions. Harrison Butker and James Winchester both are locks to make it. Harrison Butker has been one of the best kickers in the NFL over the last seven years. Despite missing some snaps with a shoulder injury Winchester appears to be fine and will not miss any time.