Kansas City Chiefs: Final Roster Predictions Following Preseason

Outside Linebacker

Keep: Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Breeland Speaks 

The Kansas City Chiefs have a big rotation at the outside linebacker this season. The position has been talked about extensively all offseason considering Dee Ford remains on the roster, and it looks like starting lineup. I think that Bob Sutton is making a mistake keeping Ford on the field across from Justin Houston when Tanoh Kpassagnon has looked much better in the preseason.

Not only are they keeping Ford on the field, but they are also moving Houston to the other side to do so. Over the offseason, Sutton came out and said that he was going to move around his outside linebackers to give Houston the best matchup. I truly believe that was a ploy to put Dee Ford on the side that he is most comfortable on instead of benching him.

Kpassagnon has shown some real pass rushing moves this preseason displaying the development he has worked hard on this offseason. With a new arsenal of pass rushing moves, he already looks better than Ford in not only the rushing game but the pass rush as well.

Breeland Speaks has not been the starting talent that Brett Veach was hoping for this preseason. He has looked good against the run which should be another player taking snaps away from Ford on early downs, but he hasn’t been extremely impressive rushing the passer. He’s disrupted the pocket from time to time, but he has failed to get home. He also still only has one pass rushing move.