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With OTAs starting this week, and a number of transactions over the previous few weeks, we thought it would be a good time to review where the Chiefs depth chart stands. There will be plenty of changes, so this isn’t quite a 53-man prediction yet, but rather a look at how many players they might keep at each position and where the competition is likely to be most fierce in camp.
2018 Projected Depth Chart/ Roster
(25) Offense
(3) QB: Patrick Mahomes - It’s the Mahomes show now, and the offense will be built around him. The only question is whether Chase Litton can win the No. 3 job or not.
Reserves: Chad Henne
On the bubble: Matt McGloin, Chase Litton
(4) RB: Kareem Hunt, Spencer Ware - If Ware is healthy, the Chiefs could feature “Thunder and Thunder.” Either way, expect Damien Williams to be a factor. Charcandrick West will have tremendous competition for a reserve job from a couple of other Williamses.
Reserves: Damien Williams
On the bubble: Charcandrick West, Kerwynn Williams, Darrel Williams
(1) FB: Anthony Sherman - “The Sausage” returns.
On the bubble: J.D. Moore
(3) TE: Travis Kelce, - It looks like there will be good competition, and perhaps more additions to come at this position. Until proven otherwise, Harris is still your No. 2, but there are interesting options behind him this year. Don’t forget he will miss Week 1, so perhaps the Chiefs will keep an extra TE around for a while.
Reserves: Demetrius Harris
On the bubble: Tim Wright, Jace Amaro, Blake Mack
(6) WR: Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Chris Conley - The addition of Watkins makes this group among the NFL’s most explosive. Watch for competition in the slot and on special teams.
Reserves: Demarcus Robinson, Jehu Chesson, De’Anthony Thomas
On the bubble: Marcus Kemp, Gehrig Dieter, Daniel Braverman, Byron Pringle, Elijah Marks, Davon Grayson
(8) OL: Eric Fisher, Parker Ehinger, Mitch Morse, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mitchell Schwartz - There should be a competition at the left guard spot between Ehinger and Witzmann, we give the slight edge to Ehinger for his ability to move in space, and overall upside.
Reserves: Bryan Witzmann, Cam Erving, Kahlil McKenzie
On the bubble: Jordan Devey, Ryan Hunter, Jimmy Murray
(25) Defense
(5) DL: Chris Jones, Xavier Williams, Allen Bailey - The Chiefs added some serious run stuffers in Williams and Nnadi, but they’ll need to figure out how to pressure the quarterback with linemen not named Chris Jones.
Reserves: Jarvis Jenkins, Derrick Nnadi
On the bubble: Justin Hamilton, Dee Liner, T.Y. McGill
(5) OLB: Justin Houston, Breeland Speaks - All of a sudden, there are plenty of options in the EDGE rotation here. The Chiefs seem to believe Speaks is a three-down player, which pushes Dee Ford into a situational role, and Tanoh gets more time to develop. Nothing is for certain, but there could be great potential with the young inside/outside versatile rushers.
Reserves: Tanoh Kpassagnon, Dee Ford
On the bubble: Frank Zombo, Tyrone Holmes, Robert McCray
(5) ILB: Reggie Ragland, Anthony Hitchens - The new dynamic duo should be able to set the tone for the defense, with O’Daniel coming in for sub-packages. All of these guys can hit and stop the run.
Reserves: Darren O’Daniel, Ukeme Eligwe, Terrance Smith
On the bubble: Raymond Davison, Ben Niemann
(5) CB: Kendall Fuller, Steven Nelson, David Amerson - As much as we hoped the Chiefs would address the position with another starter, the Chiefs will likely go with Fuller and Nelson on the outside, with Nelson sliding into the slot in favor of Amerson on passing downs. The depth behind them has some talent, but may need time to develop.
Reserves: Tremon Smith
On the bubble: Will Redmond, Keith Reaser, Arrion Springs, D’Montre Wade, Dorleant Makinton, Step Durham, Ashton Lampkin
(5) S: Eric Berry, Armani Watts - The Chiefs like to throw multiple safety looks out there, so we’ll see plenty of Sorensen and Murray, but the hope is that Watts can get on the field early.
Reserves: Daniel Sorensen, Robert Golden, Eric Murray
On the bubble: Leon McQuay, Steven Terrell
(3) Special Teams:
(1) K: Harrison Butker
(1) LS: James Winchester
(1) P: Dustin Colquitt
Nothing to report on special teams, as the kicking battery stays intact. Do watch to see who the ‘core-four’ special teams players are in camp, and who wins the returner jobs. There should be plenty of competition for both.