Kansas City Chiefs position battles update, post-mandatory minicamp

Zach Fulton making a push at RG

The rotation throughout OTAs at RG included sixth round pick Zach Fulton, Rishaw Johnson and Jeff Linkenbach. Many of us thought Rishaw Johnson would pull out in that race. At the mandatory minicamp, Fulton saw significant first team snaps, more than the other two.

Junior Hemingway looks like your slot WR

Hemingway missed the final week of OTAs because he had strep throat. Other than that, he was your leading slot receiver followed by Weston Dressler (who had been hurt but returned Wednesday).

Tyler Bray taking snaps before Aaron Murray

Does the QB rotation matter this early? The rotation has been 1. Alex Smith 2. Chase Daniel 3. Tyler Bray and 4. Aaron Murray. Let's examine this more in training camp because I'm not sure how much it means. I still got Murray making the team. I also believe Alex Smith (definitely) and Chase Daniel (probably) make it. So, odd man out ... Bray.

Ron Parker in the mix at CB?

This is an odd deal because Sean Smith was demoted after his DUI arrest. He stayed on the second team for the final week of OTAs and Parker played on the first team. Then mandatory minicamp came and Smith was sick so Parker remained on the first team. This means that I don't really know where Smith stands right now.

More first team DE snaps for Allen Bailey than Vance Walker

One of my biggest surprises of the offseason has been Bailey consistently taking first team snaps over Walker throughout the offseason. Bailey, who bulked up this offseason, really could end up being the starter if you go off of offseason reps. Walker, who signed a thre-year free agent contract this offseason, hardly received any (if any) first teams snaps during OTAs but the Chiefs started to sprinkle some in during the mandatory minicamp.

Dee Ford stepping in at OLB with Justin Houston out

Houston remains absent from Chiefs practice. For most of OTAs, that meant Frank Zombo took his place. At mandatory minicamp, Ford took his place. In fact, Ford took all the first team snaps. Strong indications Ford has a shot to be the third pass rusher this season, which you would hope he would be given he was a first round pick and all.

Husain Abdullah, Sanders Commings at FS

The Chiefs do so many different things in nickel and dime it's hard to say two guys are "starting" safeties. Eric Berry and Husain Abdullah look like the top two safeties followed by Sanders Commings. They're able to get three safeties on the field in dime and all three are fairly versatile so you have options. Berry hardly leaves the field so that leaves Abdullah and Commings to duke it out for playing time. All three will be on the field at the same time next season though.