Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

KC Chiefs roster battles to watch vs Saints in preseason opener

The Chiefs play the Saints in the preseason opener on Sunday. Here are some key roster battles to watch.

By Lyle Graversen

Jul 28, 2023; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kekoa Crawford (89) runs the
Jul 28, 2023; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kekoa Crawford (89) runs the / Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

Linebacker roster battle: Jack Cochrane (43) vs Cam Jones (44)

then-undraftedThe Chiefs will likely roster five linebackers this season. The top four are locks in Nick Bolton, Willie Gay, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal. The last spot is really more of just a special teams and depth guy. Last season that spot went to then undrafted rookie Jack Cochrane. Cochrane never saw the field on defense, but he did have the 6th most special teams snaps on the team.

Cochrane's main competition this year is another undrafted rookie, Cam Jones. Jones was seen by many as a draftable prospect this year out of Indiana. I'll definitely pay attention to both of these two on defense and on special teams. If they are close in one of those areas, but one is clearly better in the other, that could be the difference.

These are guys that could be on the special teams units to start the game and see special teams reps throughout, so keep your eyes on them. If one or both are in on the very first special teams reps that could be a sign that Dave Toub has them at the top of his wish list and that will pull a lot of weight in this matchup. That having been said, both could get linebacker snaps late into the game so you'll be able to watch them then as well.

Finally, while we're on the subject of special teams, let's talk about the final defensive back spots.