The Kansas City Chiefs will trim their 90-man roster to 75 players by August 30 and they’ll go down to 53 players by September 3. This is a deep roster that will require plenty of tough decisions.
Here’s a look at some of the Chiefs players on the roster bubble that will be difficult decisions for the Chiefs.
RB Knile Davis: He got knocked because of his fumbling issues and because Jamaal Charles is ahead of him. He could be expendable with the emergence last year of Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West, who are solidly ahead of him on the depth chart. RB Darrin Reaves is Knile’s main competition for a roster spot. Knile certainly has the talent to stick in the league for a while. The Chiefs could even keep him as their top kick returner.
WR De’Anthony Thomas: I would keep him if the Chiefs reasonably could. Maybe they can. They’ll keep probably six or so receivers. Jeremy Maclin, Chris Conley, Albert Wilson, Rod Streater, Tyreek Hill ... De’Anthony Thomas? Demarcus Robinson? It’s that final receiver spot that you need to watch for.
TE James O’Shaughnessy: He’s not as exciting as a back like Knile or a receiver like DAT but he’s still a good player, a fifth round pick from a year ago. He finds himself as the Chiefs fourth (fifth?) tight end. They may keep just three tight ends with Ross Travis ahead of O’Shaughnessy.
TE Brian Parker: Similar reasons above as O’Shaughnessy. The Chiefs last year claimed Parker off waivers so he has some value out there but I’m not sure you can keep a blocking tight end on the roster.
DE Nick Williams: The Chiefs signed him all the way back in 2014. Clearly there’s something they like. He has NFL experience but finds himself on a deep Chiefs roster. If it comes down to him and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, I think they’ll keep “Nacho”, their own draft pick.
LB Josh Mauga: He would provide some cap relief. He’s been injured most of the preseason so I’m not sure what’s up with him right now. He’s a potential cut to keep an eye on. I once said the Chiefs inside linebackers were deep which probably isn’t the right word for it. They have a few guys that they’re hoping work out, but little proven talent.
LB Ramik Wilson: I have no idea how the Chiefs inside linebackers will pan out as noted above but I do see that Justin March passed Wilson on the depth chart. So that’s potentially two players ahead of Wilson on the depth chart. How many inside linebackers will they keep?
CB Marcus Cooper: He gets some grief in Kansas City because of the fall he’s taken since 2013 when he was a rookie starter but Cooper will stick around in the NFL for a while. He’s got a decent shot to stay in Kansas City.