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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before Andy Reid began his vacation in California this week, Kansas City Chiefs head coach made an amusing yet literal request to his players: Please don’t report to training camp next month on crutches.
The Chiefs finished their offseason program last week without any significant injuries. Reid has enjoyed tinkering with his offensive playbook and watching his new defense, led by new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The biggest hope for Reid is that none of his players need crutches or have to removed from the practice field on a cart during camp, which begins July 24 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
The projected roster below assumes player is healthy and in top shape. An NFL season, however, is loaded with variables and the unexpected. In order to reach the Super Bowl, the Chiefs will need contributions from veteran backups and production from young, unproven players. The Chiefs were the biggest surprise of last year, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the NFL’s reigning MVP, led the team to the AFC Championship game. Reid wants his reconstructed defense to be another surprise this season.
After 12 practices, six of which were open to reporters, the Chiefs do appear to be a more balanced team. Reid and general manager Brett Veach will have difficult decisions to make at various positions, including wide receiver, linebacker and along the defensive line.
The three minicamp practices last week gave reporters the best indication of what the Chiefs’ depth chart looks like. From notes, observations and Reid’s preference in past seasons, here’s our early projection of the Chiefs’ 53-man roster.
Quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne
Analysis: The quarterbacks’ room shouldn’t change from last year. Mahomes has been supported by Henne, who also understands the offense better in his second season with the Chiefs. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, quarterbacks assistant Mike Kafka and Reid will continue to brainstorm on how Mahomes can stay ahead of opposing defenses. Henne, an 11-year veteran, is a suitable backup who can smoothly operate the Chiefs’ offense.
Practice-squad consideration: Chase Litton is entering his second season with the Chiefs after performing well last year in the preseason. If Litton continues to develop in camp, he’ll likely stay with the Chiefs and win the third-string battle over undrafted free agent Kyle Shurmur.
Running backs: Damien Williams, Carlos Hyde, Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson
Analysis: This is an interesting group. All four players are capable of being additional receivers in Reid’s offense and Damien Williams appears to be ready for his role as the Chiefs’ primary ball carrier.
Hyde should be most effective in short-yardage situations and on swing passes out of the backfield. Last season, Darrel Williams performed well in his six games, showing toughness in space. The most unpredictable player at the position is Thompson, who could be used in screen passes, on special teams or as a gadget player for Reid. Thompson has enough speed that he should see the ball in space at least a few times this season. The Chiefs don’t need their running backs to be spectacular. The goal for this group should be consistency in keeping opposing defenses balanced.
Fullback: Anthony Sherman
Analysis: As one of the best fullbacks in the league, Sherman will continue to do a little bit of everything. Sherman will block for Mahomes and Williams, catch critical passes and be a plus on special teams. Another Pro Bowl appearance seems reasonable.
Tight ends: Travis Kelce, Deon Yelder, John Lovett
Analysis: Kelce, who missed the offseason practices to rest his surgically repaired ankle, should be fully healthy in time for camp. He is Mahomes’ favorite target, and that shouldn’t change this season, particularly on third down. The real intrigue in camp is who will play with Kelce as Reid’s second and third tight ends. The reason for two backups here is simple: Reid wants to run plays with two tight ends, and both Yelder and Lovett have the most potential. Yelder, the more traditional tight end who excels at blocking, spent most of last season on the Chiefs’ practice squad. The preseason is going to be critical for him. As for Lovett, he’s one of the best athletes on the roster. He made impressive catches during the open offseason practices and spent plenty of snaps with the projected starters with Kelce and Yelder out with injuries.
Practice-squad consideration: Nick Keizer is another young, solid option in case of an injury. Keizer spent last season on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.
Analysis: After the NFL Draft, Hill was not on our projected depth chart ahead of the team’s organized practices. Although he’s indefinitely suspended by the Chiefs, Hill could rejoin the team in camp since he’s no longer under criminal investigation from the Johnson County (Kan.) District Attorney’s office. The Chiefs believe Hill could receive a suspension from the NFL as soon as next month for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy.
Beyond Hill’s potential return, the rest of the position is a steady group. Watkins was a star during the offseason program, and Robinson has received greater responsibility within the offense. Pringle and Dieter are players who can contribute on offense and special teams. Hardman, the speedy rookie, should have an increased role as the season progresses and he better understands the offense.
Practice-squad consideration: Cody Thompson, an undrafted rookie from Toledo, was the second-most consistent receiver in the offseason practices behind Watkins. Thompson caught almost every ball thrown to him during the open practices and his route running, especially in the slot, was impressive. If Hill is suspended, Thompson could start the season on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster if he performs well in the preseason.
Offensive linemen: Mitchell Schwartz, Eric Fisher, Austin Reiter, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Andrew Wylie, Cam Erving, Kahlil McKenzie, Jimmy Murray, Nick Allegretti
Analysis: The Chiefs’ starting lineup appears set with a healthy Duverney-Tardif and an emerging Wylie as the projected guards next to Reiter as the center. Schwartz and Fisher are quality tackles. But one reason the Chiefs have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL is because of their depth and versatility. Erving, who spent much of last season as the starting left guard, appears ready for a new role as the swingman tackle. McKenzie learned the guard position last year as a rookie and should get plenty of snaps in the preseason. Murray and Allegretti are athletic enough to play both the center and guard positions.
Practice-squad consideration: Tackle Ryan Hunter should be given another year to learn from Schwartz, Fisher and assistant coach Andy Heck.
Defensive linemen: Frank Clark, Chris Jones, Alex Okafor, Emmanuel Ogbah, Derrick Nnadi, Breeland Speaks, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Khalen Saunders, Xavier Williams
Analysis: Spagnuolo is going to place a lot of his faith in these players. The trio of pass rushers in Clark, Jones and Okafor is a quality group that should put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jones, who is seeking a sizable contract extension, is expected to return to the team early in camp after missing all of the offseason practices. The two wild cards are former second-round picks Speaks and Kpassagnon. Spagnuolo wants the two players to play both on the edge and in the interior based on the matchups against the opposing offensive line. Speaks and Kpassagnon haven’t done that since their college careers. Nnadi, Saunders and Williams are all capable defensive tackles who can rotate and be stout in Spagnuolo’s 4-3 defense.
Practice-squad consideration: The Chiefs are very high on Tim Ward, an undrafted rookie defensive end who missed all of the offseason practices because of a knee injury.
Linebackers: Anthony Hitchens, Reggie Ragland, Damien Wilson, Darron Lee, Dorian O’Daniel, Ben Niemann
Analysis: The position appears to still be fluid for Spagnuolo, as Hitchens is the lone unquestioned starter. Ragland, Wilson and Lee could all be starters at some point this season with O’Daniel as a situational option. One of the most fascinating parts of camp will be how often the Chiefs run snaps with three linebackers. The change in scheme appears to benefit Ragland the most, who could play in the middle or as the strong-side ‘backer. The winner of these position battles will likely be the players who can sprint sideline to sideline and be effective in pass coverage. Niemann is the perfect role player who is disciplined and strong on special teams. O’Daniel is also a plus option on special teams.
Practice-squad considerations: Darius Harris, an undrafted rookie, has potential. Raymond Davison should get another year to develop after being on the Chiefs’s practice squad last season.
Cornerbacks: Kendall Fuller, Bashaud Breeland, Charvarius Ward, Keith Reaser, Tremon Smith
Analysis: Something unforeseen would have to happen in camp or the preseason for this position to change. Fuller, Breeland and Ward are the Chiefs’ primary options. Reaser is a reasonable option in dime coverage if he can stay healthy, which has been his biggest issue in the NFL. Spagnuolo likely will leave Fuller in the slot position and the burden will increase for Ward, who blossomed late last season as a rookie. Smith, a second-year player, is the projected winner of the final spot on the roster since he was excellent as the team’s kickoff returner last season.
Practice-squad considerations: Rookies Rashad Fenton and Mark Fields will need to perform better than expected in the preseason, both on defense and special teams, for them to make the roster. If they prove competent, both players should spend the season learning Spagnuolo’s system.
Safeties: Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Daniel Sorensen, Jordan Lucas, Armani Watts
Analysis: The order of this position is set entering training camp with Mathieu and Thornhill as the starters. Sorensen, Lucas and Watts are all capable backups who can make contributions on special teams. Spagnuolo just needs this group to stay healthy.
Specialists: Harrison Butker (kicker), Dustin Colquitt (punter), James Winchester (long snapper)
Analysis: All three players rank among the best at their position in the NFL with coordinator Dave Toub as their guru.
Practice-squad considerations: Undrafted rookie punter Jack Fox has a big and consistent leg; he’ll continue to develop under Colquitt and Toub.
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
On my phone, have no idea what his contract is like or if he’d be overpriced, but the Dolphins are potentially straight up cutting Kiko Alonso.
Is he too broke dick to work out a cheap player for player trade? Not worth it? We’ve got a few players on this roster who could be valuable to other teams as depth but don’t really have a place on our 53 man roster
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
On my phone, have no idea what his contract is like or if he’d be overpriced, but the Dolphins are potentially straight up cutting Kiko Alonso.
Is he too broke dick to work out a cheap player for player trade? Not worth it? We’ve got a few players on this roster who could be valuable to other teams as depth but don’t really have a place on our 53 man roster
Is he any good anymore! I legit don’t know [Reply]
Just my opinion, but I see:
QB (3) - PMII, Henne, Shurmur. While I like Litton's upside better, it's clear Andy doesn't. A surprise cut/trade would be Henne. I hear the stuff about vet QBs, but what is a QB coach for if not to help the young guys in the film room? Not to mention Andy.
RB (4) - Williams x2, Thompson, Sherman. Yeah, I think you classify the Sausage as a RB on occasion, but if it makes the rabble happy, 3 RB and 1 FB.
WR (6) - Hill, Watkins, DRob, Hardman, Pringle, DAT. Pringle and DAT for return skills, ST, and occasional trick plays.
OL (10) - Fisher, Wylie, Reiter, LDT, Schwartz. Plug and play, Erving, Allen, and Murray. Allegretti and MacKenzie as G only with Allegretti getting some reps at C later.
TE (2) - Kelce (duh) and Bell for right now. I didn't see Yelder play last night, so he still may be injured. If he's not, I'm going 3 TE with 9 OL, Murray to the PS.
Total 25.
DL (9) - Akafor, Clark, Jones, Nnadi, Kpass, Speaks, Saunders, Hamilton, and right now Obgbah, depending on Speaks injury. If it's not serious, you let Obgah go and keep X. Williams.
LB (6) - Hitch, Niemann, Wilson, Lee, Ragland, and Attaochu. As much as I'm firmly in the ABR (anybody but Ragland) camp, we just don't have anyone else. I do see Niemann beating him out as the starter. The DOD experiment might be over and look for a pickup over Attaochu.
S (5) - Mathieu, Thornhill, Sorenson, Lucas, and Watts.
CB (5) - Fuller, Breeland, Ward, Fields, and (flip a coin) Wade or Miller. Goodbye to either when Claiborne returns.
Total 25. I went with 5 and 5 on the DB just because Thornhill could play a semi-CB in a 3 S set.
Specialists (3) - Winchester, Colquitt, and Buttkicker.
IR - Lovett, Kemp, Dieter, and whoever else they can hide. [Reply]
Originally Posted by O.city:
Well Hyde is definitely gone.
Would be nice to pick up a linebacker or two I think and obviously a corner
Yep, Hyde is in serious trouble. Don't see any way they keep him. Darrell Williams looked NICE last night, more quickness and speed than I realized. And Damien Williams running away from those d-backs told you all you need to know about his hamstring. Williams, Thompson, and Williams puts us in great shape at RB. And Sausage is always good for a big play or two. [Reply]
News story: Patriots inform DT Mike Pennel, one of their top free-agent signings in the offseason, that they are releasing him. https://t.co/fN3DXRW7na
I wonder if we could trade Hyde for more than a bag of chips? Lamar Miller going down puts Houston in the market for a decent backup. But, they already traded for Johnson, who now becomes the starter by default. Would they be willing to invest another pick in the position? I would think that they may have to. They don't have any depth at the position. It's undisclosed what they gave for Johnson, but it was probably conditional and goes higher now that he is set to be the starter. [Reply]