Predicting the Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster (Early training camp edition)

With training camp now well underway for the Chiefs, let's make our first projections for the initial 53-man roster.

On Sunday morning the Chiefs 90 man roster reported to Missouri Western State University Campus to begin training camp. Over the next 4 weeks players will be battling for their spot on the 53 man roster. The Chiefs will have to set their intial 53 man roster by August 27th at 3pm Arrowhead time.

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 pre-season 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. The Chiefs will likely keep Chris Oladokun or Ian Book on the practice squad in case something happens to one of the two on the roster.

Running Backs

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

Early indications are that Deneric Prince has gotten plenty of work with the first and second string offense. He was on the roster bubble last year and was active for a few games last year. Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire are the experienced veterans in the room. This could change if the Chiefs bring a free agent in (Jerick McKinnon) but for now, the room seems easy to predict. UDFA Carson Steele will be a top candidate for the practice squad. Given his size and running style, he might be mixed into a fullback role if he's to make the roster. Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit might not bring enough offensively to the table to make the roster on special teams alone.

Notable Omission: Louis Rees-Zammit, Carson Steele

Wide Receivers

Making the Chiefs roster: Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, Nikko Remigio.

Without any update on a potential Rashee Rice suspension, we will assume he starts the season on the 53. The battle for the final receiver spot will likely come down to Justyn Ross, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, and Nikko Remigio. Ross spent most of the season on the active roster last year but hasn't translated that into production. The Chiefs might prefer the upside of Remigio on special teams. Skyy Moore might be a candidate for a change of scenery as it's been a quiet start of camp for him. The Chiefs have historically kept 5 or 6 wideouts on the roster but with the shallow depth at running back and potential running back versatility with Kadarius Toney, they keep seven.

Notable Omissions: Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross

Tight Ends

Making the Chiefs roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley

Only noteworthy piece here is the Chiefs trusting Wiley as a blocker. Veteran Irv Smith is on the 90 man currently but has struggled for playing time early and hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout his career. The Chiefs could keep four tight ends (they have in the past) but for now we see Smith's contract as very easy to move on from.

Notable Omission: Irv Smith

Offensive Line

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

Rookie Hunter Nourzad has been working all across the offensive line thus far in camp including some tackle. His versatility will be valuable in replacing Nick Allegretti. Mike Caliendo figures to be the first interior offensive lineman off the bench with Wanya Morris or Kingsley Suamataia as the first tackle off the bench depending on the outcome of that camp battle. CJ Hanson makes the cut but will likely not be active on most game days. Lucas Niang has steadily fallen down the depth chart over his time in Kansas City. He's been working at guard some in camp which might point to the team looking for ways to justify his spot on the roster.

Notable omission: Lucas Niang

Interior Defensive Line

Making the Chiefs roster: Chris Jones, Derek Nnadi. Tershawn Wharton, Neil Farrell, Fabian Lovett, Mike Pennel

It feels like the Chiefs have thrown numbers at the defensive tackle position that makes it one of the hardest positions to predict. Jones, Nnadi and Wharton feel like the only locks at this point. UDFA Fabian Lovett is a 25-year-old rookie with a big frame and pass rushing upside he could be a sneak candidate to make the team. Matt Dickerson played meaningful snaps for the defense last year but was also a fringe roster player who they've released before. Chiefs might prefer the youth and upside of Farrel and Love

Notable omissions: Matt Dickerson

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.

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

Linebackers

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

The top three are locked in but the defense has some snaps to replace with Willie Gay now in New Orleans. Jack Cochrane played some defensive snaps last year and will mix in again and on special teams. UDFA Curtis Jacobs can do some of things Willie Gay did in the passing game and figures to be an impact special teamer as well. Cam Jones was a UDFA addition that the team was high on last year and will be an ideal candidate for the practice squad.

Notable omission: Cam Jones

Cornerbacks

Making the Chiefs roster: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, Kamal Hadden, Nic Jones

Replacing L'Jarius Sneed will be impossible but at least the Chiefs have depth here. Williams and Watson figure to be the biggest factor in replacing Sneed. Nazeeh Johnson back from injury figures to play on the outside as well as Kamal Hadden. Nic Jones is likely on the bubble but will mix into the slot and contribute on special teams. Veteran Keith Taylor has bounced around the league but is a former top-50 pick. He could easily make the roster as well. Ekow Boye-Doye showed promise in camp last year and the Chiefs kept him around for another season. His speed and athleticism could also make him a candidate to make the roster. Tough group to predict.

Notable omissions: Keith Taylor, Ekow Boye-Doye

Safeties

Making the Chiefs roster: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, 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 which means he might still be ready to begin the season. Conner, Cook, and Hicks all figure to mix into the starting rotation as well. Deon Bush serves as depth and as a special teams contributor. The Chiefs recently signed Tyree Gillespie but he figures to be a long shot to make the roster.

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. He will have some growing to do over the course of the season, especially with holding for the place kicking. 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 7 years. Winchester is one of the longest tenured Chiefs on the roster and an established veteran.

Looking at the Chiefs Coaching Staff

The Chiefs are set to have future Hall of Famer Andy Reid back for another year. This time he's back on a new contract as well which keeps him in Kansas City through the 2029 season. Reid remains the perfect blend of scheme master and players coach that allows the unique talents and personalities of the roster to thrive. He's been instrumental in developing an offense that compliments Patrick Mahomes' unique skill set. This year, he gets to design an offense around some of the fastest players in the NFL, one of the greatest tight ends to ever play, and a strong offensive line.

Miraculously, the Chiefs were able to retain almost all of their coaching staff despite being the best team in the NFL over the last 5 years. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo returns for his sixth season in Kansas City, and also a new contract as well. Spagnuolo's scheme has been a key advantage for the Chiefs, particularly in big games. His aggressive and versatile scheme has made him one of the best big-game coordinators of all time. Last year, the defense was second in the league in points and yards allowed. Spagnuolo will look to follow up on a strong season with mostly the same players on defense.

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is also back for a second season in Kansas City. He was previously in the same position in 2017. Nagy returned to the organization after being fired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2022. After Eric Bieniemy moved on, Nagy was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023. Despite some criticism of the offensive output in 2023, Nagy appears to have a great relationship with Patrick Mahomes and has valuable coaching experience from his time in Chicago.

Dave Toub returns as the special teams coordinator and assistant head coach. Toub is widely recognized as one of the best in the business in his role and has helped create impact plays in each playoff run. Toub will play a big role in the new kickoff rules this season. Some notable assistant coaches in Dave Merritt and Joe Cullen are also returning for another season after some opportunities might have been available to them outside the organization.