Training Camp Notebook: the Chiefs who look to start in 2020

The Kansas City Chiefs concluded their 2020 training camp with a rainy practice at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. Here’s what we saw as camp wrapped up:

Andrew Wylie has solidified as the starting right guard

Meanwhile, veteran offensive lineman Mike Remmers rotated though multiple spots along the line throughout the offense’s practice, including right guard and right tackle.

Linebacker Ben Niemann was the clear starter as the WILL linebacker

The defense stayed in their base formation for the majority of their team period, revealing Anthony Hitchens as the MIKE, Damien Wilson as the SAM and Ben Niemann as the WILL linebacker. Niemann’s experience as a dime coverage linebacker last year has led to becoming the starting WILL — a position that requires athleticism and coverage skills.

Rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr. did not see the field with the first-team defense.

Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was the starter opposite Charvarius Ward

With the suspension of cornerback Bashaud Breeland for the first four games, the Chiefs have hinted at needing a rotation at the second cornerback position beside Ward. At the final practice, it was the rookie Sneed who took the majority of the reps with the first-team defense.

As the team period moved forward, cornerbacks BoPete Keyes and Antonio Hamilton rotated at the outside position opposite Ward.

Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders shared first-team reps with Derrick Nnadi

Saunders appeared to be the first man out with the defense alongside defensive tackle Chris Jones, but Nnadi was rotated in not long after. Nnadi has been dealing with an injury at camp, but did return to practice on Friday.

Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon took all of the first-team reps opposite Frank Clark

Defensive end Alex Okafor did miss practice, but it appears that Kpassagnon has claimed a starting position on the defense. He was in on every rep that the first-team defense took in the team period.

Defensive end Taco Charlton appeared to be the next guy in. He also lined up with the second-team defense opposite Breeland Speaks.

Tight end Nick Keizer is the second tight end; Deon Yelder didn’t practice

Keizer was clearly working with the first-team offense as the second tight end, being utilized for his blocking ability. Fellow tight end Ricky Seals-Jones saw snaps in more of a receiving role as the offense rotated in different skill players.

Keizer still had multiple catches in team period.

Marcus Kemp gets a run with the first team offense

In the offense’s wide receiver rotation, Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins were clearly the two starters. Mecole Hardman was in there as the third receiver — and after that, Kemp got plays along with Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle and Gehrig Dieter.

Kemp caught a pass from Mahomes on the sideline for a nice gain in one team period.

Running back Darrel Williams was the second back; Darwin Thompson the third

Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire took the bulk of the initial reps at running back, but Darrel Williams saw the next-greatest number of snaps with the offense. Darwin Thompson followed Williams as the third back.

DeAndre Washington did not see any team work with the ones.

Cornerback Rashad Fenton only took reps as a slot cornerback

Fenton did not have any plays where he lined up on the outside. Fenton only saw 41 snaps at outside cornerback in 2019.

Other observations