Kansas City Chiefs: 55-man roster predictions 1.0
By Shade Piper
Defense (25 Total)
The defense will see more changes to the offense as there are a lot less returning players on that side of the ball. The biggest position battle to watch though will be cornerback; There will be a lot of new faces at corner this year.
Defensive Ends (5)
Starters: Frank Clark, Alex Okafor
Depth: Taco Charlton, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Demone Harris
Defensive end will have some pretty stiff competition for the last spot on the active roster, so it could be a fun one to watch.
Demone Harris, Michael Danna, and Tim Ward should all be competing equally for that spot along with Breeland Speaks if Coach Spagnuolo decides to keep him at defensive end instead of defensive tackle. Danna and Ward should head to the practice squad and Speaks to the defensive tackle group.
Another thing to keep an eye on is Okafor versus Charlton for the starting spot alongside Clark. Charlton, without a doubt, has the talent to not only be a starter in this league, but be a star, the only question is how bad does he want it.
He looks at this as his last shot to prove himself and, alongside former Michigan teammate Clark and the veteran leadership on the Chiefs, he can turn his career around and make a run at a starting spot.
Defensive Tackle (5)
Starters: Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi
Depth: Mike Pennel, Khalen Saunders, Breeland Speaks
The three things of interest to watch in this group is Nnadi versus Pennel for the starting spot, whether Speaks makes the team and/or gets moved to DT where he should be, and the biggest and most important is Chris Jones and his contract situation. Fans can’t really watch that battle play out on the field, but this is just as important nonetheless.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Willie Gay Jr (WILL), Anthony Hitchens (MIKE), Damien Wilson (SAM)
Depth: Ben Niemann, Dorian O’Daniel
This is a big year for O’Daniel and is really the biggest question mark to watch in this group. It seems like Spagnuolo doesn’t have a particularly great affinity for O’Daniel, so I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him not make the cut.
Someone has to make the roster for depth purposes though and that battle would then go to a battle between a few UDFAs, so O’Daniel’s limited experience and special teams value still lands him an active roster spot.
Safety (4)
Starters: Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill
Depth: Daniel Sorensen, Armani Watts
This position group is pretty much on lock. There are a few UDFAs who could sneak in here, but seem more likely to make the practice squad and then there’s always the “Daniel Sorensen, will he make the roster” question.
Other than thart, the only thing to watch here is if L’Jarius Sneed gets thrown in with this group to make things interesting or if he stays with the cornerbacks.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Charvarius Ward, Bashaud Breeland (likely to start the season suspended)
Depth: Rashad Fenton (Likely will begin the season in Breeland’s starting spot), L’Jarius Sneed, Antonio Hamilton, BoPete Keyes, Javaris Davis (taking the early season roster spot vacated by Breeland)
This is the group that I have the least idea about and am the most excited to watch in camp. There are going to be at least eight players battling for roughly four spots here, so it should be exciting to watch.
Throw in the unknown with Breeland and the potential of signing another veteran corner and it should be an exciting camp for the cornerback group.
Other guys to keep your eye on are Lavert Hill, Alex Brown, Chris Lammons, and Hakeem Bailey.