Kansas City Chiefs Set 53-Man Roster: Tyler Bray, Cyrus Gray Make the Cut; Rico Richardson, Tysyn Hartman Do Not
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 29, 2013; Kansas City Chiefs players enter the field for the game against the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 30-8. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports`
We have a roster.
John Dorsey and Andy Reid set their 53-man roster in time for the NFL’s deadline on Saturday, and there were a few mild surprises.
Here is the 53-man roster as it stands on August 31:
Quarterbacks (3): Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray
Running Back (3): Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis, Cyrus Gray
Fullback (3): Anthony Sherman*
Wide Receiver (6): Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, A.J. Jenkins, Dexter McCluster, Devon Wylie, Junior Hemingway
Tight End (3): Anthony Fasano, Travis Kelce, Kevin Brock
Offensive Line (8): Branden Albert, Eric Fisher, Rodney Hudson, Jeff Allen, Jon Asamoah, Eric Kush, Geoff Schwartz, Donald Stephenson
Defensive Line (6): Tyson Jackson, Mike DeVito, Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, Anthony Toribio, Jerrell Powe
Linebacker (9): Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Akeem Jordan, Nico Johnson, Mike Catapano, Zac Diles, Frank Zombo, Josh Martin**
Cornerback (5): Brandon Flowers, Sean Smith, Dunta Robinson, Jalil Brown, Sanders Commings***
Safety (5): Eric Berry, Kendrick Lewis, Hussain Abdullah, Bradley McDougald, Quintin Demps
Special Teams (3): Dustin Colquitt, Ryan Succop, Thomas Gifford
* Sherman is listed as a running back but is expected to play more or a fullback role.
**Martin is also listed as a defensive lineman.
***Commings is listed as a defensive back.
There are a few mild surprises here. First, Shaun Draughn lost the battle to Cyrus Gray to be the third running back on the team. While he is a more durable back than Gray has proven to be to the point in his career, he was unable to produce at a high enough level to unseat Draughn.
Former Kansas State safety Tysyn Hartman failed to make the 53-man roster. It appears he lost his roster spot to McDougald, who is a former Kansas Jayhawks player. It wouldn’t be surprising if Hartman is signed after Commings is put on the injured reserved list, assuming he clears waivers. However, it is hard to see a route where Hartman clears waivers and does not end up with another team who needs safety help.
Also, Rico Richardson did not make the 53-man roster. A fan favorite, Richardson did not produce enough to earn a roster spot. It would be a surprise if Richardson did not end up on the practice squad. In terms of a local flavor, for Jayhawk Toben Opurum and Wildcat Braden Wilson could also be potential practice squad additions.
Other practice squad possibilities include TE Demetrius Harris, DL Marcus Dixon, and WR Frankie Hammond.
Kansas City kept ten rookies on the roster – Commings, Nico Johnson, Marin, Kelce, Kush, Fisher, McDougald, Bray, Catapano, and Davis – along with seven second year players. This means nearly a third of the roster has one year or less experience in the NFL. There are several pros and cons to having so many young players on the team, but it would seem to indicate the Chiefs chose upside over experience. Particularly in the back half of the roster.
Expect a lot of fluidity with this roster. Commings may end up on the injured reserve and the Chiefs need depth at cornerback, tight end, and offensive line. It is likely a move or two will be a make at one of those positions soon, especially at tight end.
The Chiefs also made a trade, sending Edgar Jones to the Dallas Cowboys for an unspecified draft pick, but it is likely to be a late round selection. Kansas City lands a draft pick for a guy who was going to be cut, so the Chiefs have an early win in this deal. Of course, there is always a chance Jones turns into a Pro-Bowl player, which would suck. However, odds would suggest the pick the Chiefs end up with is more valuable than keeping Jones on the 53-man roster.
A few names and notes:
– Ryan Lilja, Jake O’Connell were cut by the Denver Broncos.
– Robert Meachem was cut by the San Diego Chargers.
– Justin Medlock was cut by the Oakland Raiders.
– Danny Watkins was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles (he could be on the Chiefs radar).
– D.J Williams was cut by the Green Bay Packers (look for him to be on the Chiefs radar).
– Former Kansas State wide receiver Chris Harper was cut by the Seattle Seahawks. (Ed. Note: KC should try to pick him up.)
– Brady Quinn was cut by the Seattle Seahawks.
– Tim Tebow was cut by the New England Patriots.
– Jimmy Clausen was cut by the Carolina Panthers.
– Vince Young was cut by the Green Bay Packers.
– Matt Leinart was cut by the Buffalo Bills.
– Cleveland Browns did not keep a kicker on their 53-man roster.
– Washington, New York Jets, and Oakland Raiders are going to carry four quarterbacks.
– Cornerback Antonie Winfield is expected to retire after being released by the Seattle Seahawks.