Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster prediction (Nick Jacobs 3.0 edition)

Previously: 53-man roster 1.0 | 2.0

QB (3)

1. Alex Smith
2. Chase Daniel
3. Aaron Murray

IR: Tyler Bray

Daniel gives the Chiefs a veteran who can help in a pinch if Alex Smith goes down. Bray has improved with his ability to bounce back after failure. He also has the most velocity on the ball so a receiver or back can catch the ball in stride and make a play before the defender gets there. Murray has a ways to go in his development. He has a tendency to lock onto his read until they become open.

*UPDATE: With Bray sustaining an ankle and knee injury last night, he will potentially be placed on IR. So the two are now switched. When this was created last night, the details of his injury had not been released yet.*

RB (4)

1. Jamaal Charles
2. Knile Davis
3. De'Anthony Thomas
4. Joe McKnight

Cut: Cyrus Gray (trade?), Charcandrick West (Practice Squad)

The Chiefs would be wise to go with four backs. Thomas will see reps all over the field at returner, receiver and out of the backfield. So the fourth running back is a must for special teams contributions.

During camp Gray has shown an increase in speed, vision and acceleration through the hole. He's also the personal protector on special teams. Gray is a big part but the Chiefs have been preparing Daniel Sorensen and Albert Wilson for his role in the event the lose him. They're getting prepared for his departure.

McKnight hasn't had the impact you want to see yet but he has picked up where he left off in spring practices. He fits what the Chiefs want to do.

West needs time to develop but the speed is promising.

FB (1)

1. Anthony Sherman

Cut: Jordan Campbell

WR (5)

1. Donnie Avery
2. Albert Wilson
3. Junior Hemingway
4. Kyle Williams
5. Frankie Hammond
6. AJ Jenkins

Cut:Fred Williams, Mark Harrison (Practice Squad)

Suspension/Reserve: Dwayne Bowe

Andy Reid stated earlier this week that Frankie Hammond or Junior Hemingway would likely see Bowe's reps in Week 1 with Bowe's suspension. Hammond had some issues rounding off his routes in the Vikings game but the loss of Bowe forces him on the roster. Hemingway is a great gunner on special teams. Wilson will likely work out of the slot and is a solid route runner. Williams has been reliable in camp by catching most passes thrown his way and getting consistent separation. Jenkins struggled in camp with injuries and dropped passes but his understanding of the offense will be needed.

Bowe will be placed on the reserve / suspension list and not count against the 53-man roster in Week 1. De'Anthony Thomas will essentially be the sixth receiver in Week 1.

The third through fifth receivers on this list could get their walking papers if a quality veteran receiver became available during cut downs.

*UPDATE: With an additional roster spot open with the loss of Van Dyke. Jenkins should secure a roster spot for week one.*

TE (3)

Cut: Richard Gordon

Fasano is a veteran presence on a young team and solid blocker. He will come in handy during max protect and helping the tackles slow down the pass rush. Kelce is a mismatch every time he is on the field. He is a playmaker to go along with Jamaal Charles and De'Anthony Thomas. Harris didn't disappear in camp this season. He made plays at times and showed growth to compete in the NFL. Gordon will likely be on speed dial if an injury occurs.

OL (8)

1. Eric Fisher
2. Jeff Allen
3. Rodney Hudson
4. Zach Fulton
5. Eric Kush
6. Mike McGlynn
7. Ryan Harris
8. Ricky Henry

Cut: Jeff Linkenbach, J'Marcus Webb, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (Practice Squad)

Suspension/Reserve: Donald Stephenson

This is the offensive line list for now but it will change if a veteran becomes available during cut downs. There are no sacred cows.

This Chiefs will need to address the depth, possibly looking for another guard and tackle. McGlynn, signed this week, becomes the Chiefs most experienced lineman and knows Reid's scheme and can play guard or center. Battling for a job at left guard, Henry should make the initial roster unless they find an upgrade. Linkenbach is versatile but he struggled at most of the positions against bull rushers.

DE (4)

1. Mike Devito
2. Jaye Howard
3. Allen Bailey
4. Vance Walker

IR or Reserve/Nonfootball Injury list: Mike Catapano

Cut: Kona Schwenke

Howard, who has performed well in camp, deserves an opportunity to start at left defensive end. Walker, who can play multiple positions, can step in at end, too. Catapano's illness has lasted over a month now. Without knowing the details, his ability to contribute this season seems in question at this point.

NT (2)

1. Dontari Poe
2. Dominique Hamilton

Cut: Kyle Love

The surprise here is Hamilton. He has consistently performed from camp through preseason. He is disruptive and is solid against the run. Bottom line, he makes plays. Walker will be able to help out in this rotation. Love just hasn't flashed like Hamilton has at this point.

OLB (4)

1. Tamba Hali
2. Justin Houston
3. Josh Martin
4. Dee Ford

Cut: Devan Walker (Practice Squad)

Martin is a solid special teams contributor and a good rotational pass rusher. He is stronger this season as his work with Hali paid off. Ford has a ways to go in his development as a linebacker but he will contribute immediately on special teams. Ford has a speed rush but he needs to work on counter moves and bull rushes to become a complete pass rusher. 

ILB (5)

1. Derrick Johnson
2. Josh Mauga
3. James Michael-Johnson
4. Frank Zombo
5. Joe Mays (IR with designation to return)

Cut: Nico Johnson, Alonzo Highsmith (Practice Squad)

Mauga, who signed shortly before camp and is familiar with Bob Sutton's scheme, has been consistent throughout camp. Michael-Johnson is satisfactory in coverage and has great speed to close the gap on a run. Zombo, an outside linebacker, has been seeing time at inside linebacker as a veteran stopgap with Mays' injury. Zombo is a good contributor on special teams too. The organization has thrown a lot of competition at Nico Johnson and he hasn't been able to put it all together.

Mays must be on the 53-man roster through Saturday and until September 2 at 3 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) before he can be placed on IR with a designation to return, so the Chiefs will have to carry his roster spot for the time being.

CB (6)

1. Marcus Cooper
2. Sean Smith
3. Chris Owens
4. Ron Parker
5. Phillip Gaines

Cut: Justin Rogers, DeMarcus Van Dyke (Waived/Injured)

In my opinion, Parker would be better suited at the safety position. He has good ball tracking skills and looks comfortable in off coverage. The rookie Gaines will need time to develop but shows promise in press coverage.

*UPDATE: Per Adam Teicher of ESPN, DeMarcus Van Dyke sustained a high ankle sprain in the Packers game. Mild cases can take at least six weeks to heal. A severe case can take three to six months. So waiving Van Dyke injured can allow them to retain him on their IR.*

S (5)

1. Eric Berry
2. Husain Abdullah
3. Malcolm Bronson
4. Kelcie McCray
5. Daniel Sorenson

Cut: Jonathan Amaya

Bronson is a versatile special team performer. He can play in the nickel position and has shown promise as a safety. Traded for last week, McCray is a veteran presence on the backend if Berry or Abdullah get hurt. Sorenson will be a big contributor on special teams and could replace Cyrus Gray's role depending on what happens there. 

Specialist (3)

1. Cairo Santos
2. Dustin Colquitt
3. Thomas Gafford

Santos gets the nod because of the cap relief with all other things equal. He may not have the experience as Succop but you don't gain that until they actually let you play. Santos has the leg, great contact on the football and was consistent throughout camp.

Practice Squad

1. Charcandrick West
2. Mark Harrison
3. Devan Walker
4. Alonzo Highsmith
5. Jairus Campbell
6. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

Note that the Chiefs can have 10 players on the practice squad this year, up from eight last year. There will be players from other teams available, too.