KANSAS CITY, Mo. — This is a unique era in society and football. The traditional cut down day has been moved to one day. Without preseason and the ability to observe daily practices during a pandemic, the selection of these players might have more inaccurate selections than prior seasons. The thought process leans on players with previous experience and special teams value.
The Chiefs' #runitback tour will be a challenge that no other NFL team has been in a situation to hurdle before. Kansas City will become the first team during a pandemic to try and defend their title.
The roster strategy could work to the Chiefs benefit with the ability to put six veterans on the practice squad during this unique season, while allowing for 10 developmental players.
Quarterbacks (3)
Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne and Matt Moore
The Chiefs will need all the experience they can acquire on their roster. The quarterback position will be equipped with three veterans that have experience in the offense and can fill in if the Chiefs face uncharted territory. Ta’amu would benefit from being a developmental member of the practice squad.
Out: Jordan Ta’amu
Running Backs (4)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrell Williams, DeAndre Washington and Anthony Sherman
The Chiefs will likely lean on Edwards-Helaire and Williams as their top two backs that compliment one another. Washington provides an additional veteran that is familiar with Mahomes but also has the needed in-game experience. Thompson would likely make the roster for his ability on special teams but the numbers are needed at offensive line and receiver in this prediction. McGuire would likely benefit from being a practice squad candidate.
Out: Darwin Thompson (PS Candidate) and Elijah McGuire (PS Candidate)
Wide Receivers (6)
Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, DeMarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle and Marcus Kemp
The top four receivers are set. Pringle gives the team a reliable special teams performer and a developmental receiver that would likely be picked up off of waivers by another team. Kemp had a promising camp last year and shined on special teams before his injury. If healthy, his experience should get the nod over Jody Fortson.
Out: Gehrig Dieter (PS Candidate), Jody Fortson (PS Candidate), Maurice Ffrench, Kalija Lipscomb and Justice Shelton-Mosley
Tight Ends (3)
Travis Kelce, Ricky Seals-Jones and Nick Keizer
The Chiefs would get two athletic tight ends in Kelce and Seals-Jones. Keizer should have enough tape to show the team what he can do in their offense and on special teams. Helm and Yelder are likely players to keep on speed dial if an injury or illness occurs.
Out: Daniel Helm and Deon Yelder
Offensive Line (9)
Eric Fisher, Kelechi Osemele, Austin Reiter, Andrew Wylie, Mitchell Schwartz, Mike Remmers, Daniel Kilgore. Jackson Barton and Nick Allegretti
Offensive line is going to be one of the positions in this era that likely needs additional players on both the roster and practice squad. The Chiefs should have a solid interior and veteran backups with experience. Jackson Barton being exposed to the waiver wire gives the Chiefs a chance of losing him to the Colts. The benefit for the Chiefs is there isn’t tape on Durant and Williams progression from college to now, which allows them to develop them on the practice squad.
Out: Yasir Durant (PS Candidate) , Ryan Hunter, Greg Senat (PS Candidate) and Darryl Williams (PS Candidate); PUP: Martinas Rankin
Defensive Line (10)
Frank Clark, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Alex Okafor, Taco Charlton, Demone Harris, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Khalen Saunders, Breeland Speaks and Tershawn Wharton
Defensive line is another spot with close contact that might need a couple of additional players for the rotation. Wharton would have been an ideal candidate for the practice squad but the reports coming out about him would create a risk exposing him to the waiver wire. Harris provides the team a solid run defender.
Out: Mike Danna (PS Candidate) Braxton Hoyett, Devaroe Lawrence and Tim Ward (PS Candidate); Suspension: Mike Pennel
Linebackers (6)
Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens, Willie Gay, Ben Niemann, Darrius Harris and Dorian O’Daniel
The linebacker position likely won’t have a ton of mystery unless a quality veteran is released on Saturday. The top four should be set. It’s just a matter of if Harris or Cobb can provide more to the overall roster and special teams. O’Daniel provides the team an athletic special teams performer.
Out: Omari Cobb (PS Candidate)
Cornerback (5)
Charvarius Ward, Antonio Hamilton, Rashad Fenton, L’Jarius Sneed and Bopete Keyes
The Chiefs go with their veterans and two rookies to begin the season. The safety help over top will be important as the rookies adjust to the game during the first half of the season.
Out: Rodney Clemons, Lavert Hill and Chris Lammons; Suspension: Bashaud Breland
Safeties (4)
Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Armani Watts and Daniel Sorensen
Watts and Sorensen provide the roster with reliable special teams performers and veteran. Thompson would get the nod because he was signed before Colbert. I would put one of them on practice squad and bump them up to the 54th or 55th spot if an injury occurred during the week.
Out: Tedric Thompson and Adrian Colbert
Specialist (3)
Harrison Butker, Tommy Townsend and James Winchester
Teams must cutdown to the 53-man roster by Saturday at 3:00 pm central time. Any player with four years or less of service must go through waivers and not be claimed by another team before they can be signed to the practice squad on Sunday after 11a.m. central time.
