FanPost

Taking Stock of the Chiefs Roster Ahead of the NFL Draft


The NFL Draft is starting in a week and half, so let's take a look at the Chiefs roster as it currently stands to see what positions the Chiefs might invest in and how much.

Quarterback

Currently: Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Shane Buechele

The Chiefs are pretty well set at QB (BREAKING NEWS). They have the league's best QB starting and long-time backup Chad Henne. We also know they liked Shane Buechele as a developmental QB because they protected him last season from getting poached. At some point, one of these developmental QBs will become the long-term backup. Even still, it's hard to see the Chiefs drafting a QB, but I expect them to bring in a UDFA to compete with Buechele in camp.

Possible investment: Late round - UDFA

Running Back

Currently: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Derrick Gore, Ronald Jones, Brenden Knox, Michael Burton

The Chiefs don't have a glaring need at RB, but that doesn't mean they couldn't make an investment. They brought in Ronald Jones, but right now there isn't a strong pass-catching back on the roster. Ronald Jones is capable of catching a screen pass, but that's about it. CEH hasn't been the receiver out of the backfield we thought he would be when he was drafted. Brenden Knox was a UDFA that was with Dallas last year. Jerick McKinnon and Darrel Williams are both still free agents as of this writing that could be brought back. Right now, the only RB under contract for 2023 is CEH, so I wouldn't rule out a mid round pick possibly being spent with one of the many extra middle round picks they have

Possible investment: Third round+

Tight End

Currently: Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Noah Gray, Jody Fortson, Matt Bushman, Jordan Franks, Nakia Griffen-Stewart, Josh Pederson, Mark Vital

This might be the most set position for the Chiefs along with QB. All four TEs from last year are still under contract along with a ton of flyers on the names above you might not recognize. None of the players above sans Kelce are good enough to prevent the Chiefs from drafting someone if there's a player they really like that falls, but I'd be shocked if the Chiefs made a significant investment in TE

Possible investment: Late round - UDFA

Offensive Lineman

Currently: Orlando Brown, Geron Christian, Creed Humphrey, Roderick Johnson, Lucas Niang, Austin Reiter, Trey Smith, Joe Thuney, Darryl Williams, Andrew Wylie

All of the starting positions are pretty set with the exception of RT. Niang and Wylie are expected to compete for it right now. It's possible that the Chiefs could select a tackle early if they are concerned with Niang's ability to stay healthy or his development. The other reason is that Orlando Brown is currently on the tag and hasn't signed a long-term deal. They could use a young tackle as a possible replacement for Brown as leverage. The Chiefs could also select some depth in the later part of the draft, particularly at G. This is the first stealth position that could end up having a first round pick spent on it. I don't expect it to, but it's possible. More likely is a depth pick in the mid rounds, possibly competing with Niang and Wylie at RT.

Possible investment: mid round pick - possibly an early round pick

Wide Receiver

Currently: Mecole Hardman, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Juju Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson, Corey Coleman, Omar Bayless, Gehrig Dieter, Chris Finke, Daurice Fountain, Josh Gordon, Gary Jennings, Cornell Powell, Mathew Sexton

MVS. That's all the WRs that the Chiefs currently have under contract for the 2023 season. You may notice that's just one player. This is the first position where significant investment is really expected to be made by the fanbase. The Chiefs have done a good job in Free Agency so that a rookie WR doesn't have to contribute at a high level immediately. However, it's time to find the receivers for the next stage of Patrick Mahomes's career. Andy Reid doesn't have a strong history of drafting WRs in the first round (only Jeremy Maclin). However, I will be shocked if they do not select a WR at some point in the first two rounds. It's possible they trade up into the teens for a WR, they could take someone at 50, and they could take 2 WRs at various points in the draft

Potential investment: at least one and possibly multiple picks in the early to mid rounds

Defensive End

Currently: Frank Clark, Mike Danna, Austin Edwards, Malik Herring, Joshua Kaindoh, Lorenzo Neal, Jonathan Woodard

This is the most dire position on the Chiefs. We're all hoping that we re-sign Melvin Ingram after training camp is over, but that's not guaranteed. It's not obvious that we have two starting caliber defensive ends on the roster. Our "depth" is also unproven. Clark has disappointed in recent years and is probably in his last year in Kansas City although he's under contract for 2023. Mike Danna is a solid rotational piece, but should not be starting for a team that has Superbowl aspirations. We're hoping Joshua Kaindoh is healthy and has developed some during his rookie year. The Chiefs are taking a defensive end early in the upcoming. Let's hope that Veach evaluates the position better now than he did when he traded up for Breeland Speaks, or trading a 1st and a 2nd round pick and gave a top 5 DE contract to Frank Clark. Like WR, multiple picks could be spent on defensive ends

Potential investment: at least one and possibly multiple picks in the early to mid round picks

Defensive Tackle

Currently: Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Khalen Saunders, Tershawn Wharton, Cortez Broughton, Taylor Stallworth, Darius Stills

Chris Jones had a down year last year, but was still good, if not great. The next 3 DTs are solid that we can get away with. They also should not prevent the Chiefs from taking a DT they think highly of. The Chiefs have other needs that probably prevent a first round pick being spent on DT, but if someone like Devonte Wyatt is available, it could happen.

Potential investment: 2nd round - mid rounds

Linebacker

Currently: Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr, Shilique Calhoun, Jermaine Carter Jr, Darrius Harris, Elijah Lee

The Chiefs have 2 LBs that fans can feel good about. It's not obvious who the 3rd linebacker is right now. That's not as much of an issue in today's game as it would be 10-15 years ago with the proliferation of nickel becoming the base defense. Even still, having a good 3rd LB is good for depth and for when the Chiefs do face heavy personnel like when they play the 49ers this season. Are the Chiefs going to spend a 2nd round pick on a LB for the 3rd straight year? I wouldn't but maybe the people at 1 Arrowhead Dr would.

Potential investment: 2nd or 3rd round pick

Cornerback

Currently: L'Jarius Sneed, Deandre Baker, Rashad Fenton, Dicaprio Bootle

This isn't the worst position group on the Chiefs, but it's definitely the thinnest. Only having 4 CBs under contract is crazy. Sneed is the only one under contract past this year too. Like DE and WR, multiple picks could be spent on CB. The Chiefs under Veach haven't invested heavily in CB, but that could change. Using a first round pick on CB is on the table, but using 2nd through 4th round picks is more likely given the historic investment in the position

Potential Investment: early to mid round picks

Safety

Currently: Justin Reid, Juan Thornhill, Deon Bush, Devon Key, Zayne Anderson, Luq Barcoo

The Chiefs have used 3 safeties as much as anyone in the league the last few years. Reid and Thornhill figure to be the starters. Deon Bush has endeared himself to Chiefs Kingdom, but competition should be brought in to challenge him for the 3rd safety role as he mostly made a name for himself as a special teamer in Chicago, but played decently on defense there as well when called on. Like WR and CB, there is currently only 1 player under contract for 2023 (Reid). Also, please dear God, someone beat out Zayne Anderson for a roster spot. I can't handle seeing budget Dan Sorenson on the field for any number of snaps. Like DT, a first rounder isn't out of the question if they really like Lewis Cine or Daxton Hill, but a safety in rounds 2-4 makes more sense.

Potential investment: early to mid round pick

Specialists

Currently: Harrison Butker, James Winchester, Tommy Townsend

The Chiefs are set

Potential investment: none

Summary

The Chiefs have a lot of options that they can upgrade, but not many that they need to upgrade. The only positions I'm quite confident they'll draft is DE, WR, and CB with all of those being candidates for spending multiple picks on those positions, but I won't complain about them taking a S, OT, DT, RB, or LB with their 2nd-4th round picks.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.