Chiefs Roster: 53-man roster projection 1.0 for the 2023 NFL season

As of Sunday morning, each member of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 90-man roster is because of be on the campus of Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph and prepared for the primary full-team follow at 9:15 a.m. Arrowhead Time (full schedule right here).

Keep in mind: whereas we all the time attempt to do our greatest in these projection workout routines, there may be little to no probability this would be the roster after the ultimate cutdown on August 29 — and it’s almost not possible to account for gamers who’re to be launched from different rosters.

There was a key change to the roster cutdown this yr, with one — and just one — cutdown date following the conclusion of the preseason.

As they’re yearly, my projections are primarily based upon issues I’ve seen, heard and hypothesized. Let’s go!

Offense (26)

NFL: AFC Divisional Round-Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterbacks (3): Patrick Mahomes, Blaine Gabbert, Shane Buechele

In six of his first seven years in Kansas Metropolis, head coach Andy Reid stored three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster deadline. Reid stored simply two in 2020 and 2021 earlier than going again to a few in 2022, doubtless stemming from different groups’ curiosity in Buechele. I feel the Chiefs hold three once more in 2023, however not simply due to that curiosity. Throughout the offseason, the league’s house owners accredited the “emergency quarterback rule,” permitting every membership the flexibility to place a 3rd quarterback (within the Chiefs’ case, Buechele) within the sport ought to the primary two quarterbacks be out of the sport attributable to damage. The third quarterback have to be on the 53-man roster, however he wouldn’t depend on the energetic 47 (or 48) man game-day roster. In 2023, I’d guess that the majority groups, together with the Chiefs, choose to hold three quarterbacks. Gabbert makes a easy transition from the veteran backup of the best quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, to the sport’s greatest energetic quarterback, Mahomes.

Operating backs (4): Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince

Earlier than the preliminary days of coaching camp this previous week, I had my doubts concerning Pacheco’s availability in the beginning of the season. These doubts had been put to relaxation as I watched him over three days in St. Joseph. Pacheco needed to put on a non-contact yellow jersey and didn’t take part in seven-on-seven work, however he confirmed completely no signal of damage throughout drill work. “Completely” was the phrase Pacheco used when requested if he can be 100% Week 1 — and primarily based upon how he appears proper now, that’s simple to purchase. The room’s greatest cross protector, McKinnon, returns to the Chiefs as their third-down again, and Edwards-Helaire fills the position of a change-of-pace again. I truly consider Edwards-Helaire will likely be extra concerned within the offense than of us at the moment venture — however ought to everyone keep wholesome, it nonetheless can be troublesome to see him surpass Pacheco or McKinnon’s touches by season’s finish. I’ve Prince as a lock to make the roster. Kansas Metropolis loves his pass-catching means, and particular groups coordinator Dave Toub desires him to take over for Pacheco because the group’s major kick returner. I feel 2023 will likely be essential for Prince to study every part he can from McKinnon, who’s 31 and solely on a one-year deal. With Edwards-Helaire within the remaining yr of his contract, Pacheco-Prince is Kansas Metropolis’s tandem of the longer term.

Fullbacks (0):

In Could, our Rocky Magaña wrote a droll obituary for the fullback place. I’ll be trustworthy. On the time, I believed we would at some point must take out the defibrillator when Reid signed somebody earlier than camp. However that by no means occurred, so we anticipate the top coach will buck his career-long pattern of getting a fullback on the roster. Reid has famous he believes tight finish Noah Grey can fill that void.

Vast receivers (6): Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, Richie James, Justin Watson

A part of the enjoyable of this yr’s train included the place to make use of the free house offered by no fullback, and I consider basic supervisor Brett Veach and Reid select to maintain one other broad receiver after preserving solely 5 on the preliminary roster in 2022. I do know my projection received’t be in style with all, however I don’t see the likes of John Ross, Ihmir Smith-Marsette or Justyn Ross discovering his manner onto the preliminary roster. Simply as we count on Prince to interchange Pacheco at kick returner, I feel James will change Moore because the punt returner. That can permit Pacheco and Moore to zone in on their expanded offensive roles. Watson is commonly chosen because the participant to chop ought to one of many hopefuls make it, however I simply don’t see the Chiefs consuming $1.4 million in assured cash to rid themselves of a confirmed pass-catcher they know the quarterback likes. The Chiefs have by no means stored seven receivers below Reid.

Tight ends (4): Travis Kelce, Noah Grey, Jody Fortson, Blake Bell

Aside from quarterback, what’s the Chiefs’ most constant place over the past couple of years? It’s the tight finish room, which I consider will convey again the identical four-man group on the 53-man roster deadline for the third straight season. The most effective tight finish within the league returns for his eleventh yr, looking for an eighth consecutive season of 1,000 yards or extra. Do you know that Mahomes focused Grey in each single regular-season and playoff sport of 2022? It was by no means greater than thrice in a single sport, however I feel it’s a signal of issues to come back. In 2023, I count on Grey to interrupt out. As a result of he’s a decent finish, Grey is rarely talked about amongst those that will assist eat the yardage made obtainable by JuJu Smith-Schuster’s departure. He must be. Talking of targets: Fortson — with a lot much less taking part in time — had another red-zone goal than Grey. I feel that’s the place the Chiefs like him. Contemplating Grey’s growth as a blocker over time, I toyed with the concept of Veach opting to chop Bell — however finally determined to maintain the ever-reliable tight finish on the roster. Nevertheless, if Kansas Metropolis chooses to maintain, say, that seventh receiver or (as you’ll learn beneath) a fifth security, I may see Bell being compelled to search out one other house.

Offensive linemen (9): LT Donovan Smith, LG Joe Thuney, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor, Nick Allegretti, Lucas Niang, Wanya Morris, Darian Kinnard

Followers needed to have been fairly bored this offseason to have such passionate debates in regards to the offensive line. Sure, the Chiefs signed a left deal with (Donovan Smith) to play left deal with and a proper deal with (Jawaan Taylor) to play proper deal with, filling the vacancies left by Cincinnati Bengals left deal with Orlando Brown Jr. and Washington Commanders proper deal with Andrew Wylie. Smith and Taylor will flank one of many league’s greatest interiors. Kansas Metropolis loves the returning Allegretti, who can play both guard place and middle. I feel Niang vs. Morris for the Chiefs’ swing deal with place is quietly essentially the most fascinating place battle of this coaching camp — however no matter who wins out, I feel each will make the membership. This offseason, Veach has been forthcoming with optimism in regards to the growth of 2022 fifth-rounder Darian Kinnard. His means to play guard and deal with gives worth because the ninth offensive lineman to spherical out the room. I consider Kansas Metropolis tries to sneak Prince Tega Wanogho onto its follow squad, the place Austin Reiter would be the third middle. So a room that’s stealthily 11 gamers deep can have 9 of them on the 53-man roster.

Protection (24)

NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs

Defensive tackles (4): Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu, Derrick Nnadi, Keondre Coburn

Kansas Metropolis has some intriguing developmental prospects past these 4 who will make the preliminary membership, and veteran Danny Shelton continues to be hanging round. I’ve listed Omenihu as a defensive deal with as a result of that’s the place the Chiefs are most enthusiastic about him. There must be a couple of defensive tackles on the follow squad. I thought of Tershawn Wharton right here, however as of this writing, he stays on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) record after tearing his ACL in October. Throughout the early portion of camp open to quarterbacks and rookies, Wharton might be seen working with athletic trainers off to the aspect with a considerable brace on his knee. I went forwards and backwards however in the end determined Wharton stays on the PUP to begin the NFL season, which implies he’ll miss the primary 4 weeks — video games in opposition to the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and New York Jets. He can be eligible to follow the Monday after “Sunday Evening Soccer” in opposition to the Jets.

Defensive ends (5): George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Carlos Dunlap, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, BJ Thompson

Jones didn’t present as much as camp on the report time, however I feel he must be there by the tip of the week, due to the NFL’s positive guidelines. I nonetheless count on a brand new contract to come back — and when it does, I feel Veach’s remaining preseason roster transfer will likely be bringing again veteran Carlos Dunlap. Simply as he did final yr, the league’s latest member of the 100-sack membership will be part of the membership in August. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has offered Malik Herring and Joshua Kaindoh ample time to interrupt by, and I feel this cutdown is the place their time runs out in favor of a brand new developmental prospect: fifth-round rookie BJ Thompson. Thompson will spend the yr including weight and studying the system whereas the Chiefs will shield him on the energetic roster. I feel there’s a risk Herring and Kaindoh may stick on the follow squad ought to one other group not have an interest.

Linebackers (5): Nick Bolton, Willie Homosexual Jr., Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane

With the addition of Tranquill, I feel linebacker is likely one of the Chiefs’ extra underrated positions coming into the 2023 NFL season. The primary 4 members of this room are apparent, whereas Cochrane — who had 316 snaps as a four-corps special-teamer (kick protection, kick return, punt protection and punt return) will likely be a Toub want that Reid and Veach grant.

Cornerbacks (6): Trent McDuffie, L’Jarius Sneed, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, Nic Jones

Talking of Toub, he famous throughout the offseason that final yr’s seventh-round cornerback, Johnson, was “taking part in higher than anyone within the league” towards the tip of final season because the Chiefs’ gunner. Johnson makes the roster — together with this yr’s seventh-rounder, Jones, who has impressed throughout organized group actions (OTAs) by registering cross breakups in padless practices the place the passing sport ought to simply have its manner.

Safeties (4): Justin Reid, Bryan Cook dinner, Mike Edwards, Chamarri Conner

Reid and Cook dinner lead a room that mentioned goodbye to Juan Thornhill this offseason. Edwards provides a veteran presence. The Chiefs have labored Conner, their fourth-rounder, at each free and robust security this offseason. Final yr, the Chiefs’ special-teams snaps chief was Chris Lammons (322), however Deon Bush (317) was proper behind him. As I hinted within the tight finish part, I thought of preserving Bush right here and saying goodbye to Bell — however I landed on Bush not making the membership. Which will change in future iterations of my 53-man roster projection.