We've seen roster predictions from ESPN and Nick Jacobs, each with their own minor differences. Below is our best guess on the Chiefs 53-man roster based on what we know today. There will be surprises coming during and after training camp, but it's interesting to see how big the roster bubble is compared to the number of spots left.
Chiefs GM John Dorsey has made it a priority to create competition and depth, and it appears to be getting better each year even with free agent losses.
The Core: Players under contract and reasonably likely* to stay:
*Likely as of today. This will definitely change and you will disagree with me.
(2) QB: Alex Smith, Kevin Hogan
(3) RB: Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West
(1) FB: Anthony Sherman
(6) WR: Jeremy Maclin, Chris Conley, Albert Wilson, Rod Streater, Demarcus Robinson, Tyreek Hill
(3) TE: Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris, James O'Shaughnessy
(7) OL: Eric Fisher, Parker Ehinger, Jah Reid, Mitch Schwartz, Mitch Morse, Zach Fulton, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
(5) DL: Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, Jaye Howard, Chris Jones, Rakeem Nunez-Roches
(9) LB: Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Derrick Johnson, Josh Mauga, D.J. Alexander, Ramik Wilson, Justin March, Frank Zombo
(4) S: Ron Parker, Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen, Eric Murray
(5) CB: Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines, Steven Nelson, KeiVarae Russell, DJ White
(3) Specialists: Cairo Santos, James Winchester, Dustin Colquitt
The Roster Bubble
WR/PR De'Anthony Thomas: If he wasn't on the bubble before, he most certainly is there now that the Chiefs have drafted Tyreek Hill.
WR Mike Williams: Veteran free agent receiver had a big season in his past, but has struggled to stay healthy and on the field. Can he earn a roster spot in camp?
RB/KR Knile Davis: We all assumed he was the No. 2 back last season but after Charles went on IR West and Ware were the ones who stepped in. Davis handled most of the kick return duties this year but was inactive for a couple of games so it's reasonable to speculate he could be the odd man out in 2016. Trade rumors along with the selection of Hill further fuel this idea.
S/CB Marcus Cooper: Had a strong rookie campaign but has been relegated to the bench / special teams ever since. In OTAs, Cooper drew positive reviews for his versatility at safety, so this could be his path to making the roster.
TE Brian Parker: An athletic player who can block a bit. He has a chance chance to stick around.
TE Ross Travis: Athletic former basketball player has impressed observers in OTAs, could make this a crowded position group.
OL Jarrod Pughsley: A guy it seems the Chiefs have some hope for but he's buried on the offensive line depth chart.
DL Nick Williams: Someone the team likes even if we as fans don't see much from him? Drafting Chris Jones certainly pushes Williams down a spot on the DL depth chart.
OLB Jonathan Massaquoi: Signed to a cheap one year deal very early in free agency after beginning his career in Atlanta. He's shown some ability on film, but we don't know if the Chiefs see him as a long term contributor or not.
WR Da'Ron Brown: A 2015 draft pick, spent all of his career on the practice squad so far. He's said to have great hands and be a possession receiver. Could there be a role for him in 2016?
QB Aaron Murray: Positive early reviews on Kevin Hogan, and the fact that Tyler Bray got the first shot at the backup QB job don't bode well for Murray's future in KC.
QB Tyler Bray: Bray received a new contract last year - even while on IR - and was given the initial second team snaps in OTAs... it's clear the team sees something in him and is giving him a chance to win a job.
S Jamell Fleming: The position change is an indication he wouldn't have made the roster at CB. We'll see if it helps his chances to stick on the team, as he is a valuable special teams player.
S Stevie Brown: The veteran was brought in with the possibility of being the next Branch/Abdullah/Coleman... but that was prior to the draft when the team added multiple options at DB, which puts Brown squarely on the bubble.
OLB Dadi Nicholas: An athletic prospect at a potential position of concern this season, he'll likely have a decent chance to make the roster as a draft pick but could start out on the practice squad.
OLB Dezman Moses: Seemingly an afterthought this season, but has shown special teams and pass rush ability in the past.
RB Darrin Reaves: Extremely crowded position group, but a guy that many of us liked in preseason last year.
WR Frankie Hammond, Jr: The Chiefs have kept Hammond around for three years now as a reserve and special teams player. With another year of offseason investments in the position, his days with the team could be numbered.
NT Alameda Ta'amu: A massive guy that has shown ability to be a starter in the league, but we haven't heard much about him in the offseason program yet. He'll have to impress in camp to win a job.
The full roster is here, perhaps there are a couple of guys that haven't earned bubble status yet that could impress in camp and have a chance to stick with the team. It happens every year, it seems at least one UDFA is on the active roster. Could it be Shak Randolph, Mitch Matthews or Terrance Smith?
Assume we're right on the 48 core players (yes, I know you'll tell me where we're wrong) ... who are your five picks from the bubble list to fill out the roster?