The Chiefs will have some very difficult decisions to get the roster to 53 players at the end of August.
Quarterback (2)
Patrick Mahomes, Gardner Minshew
Kansas City hasn’t had to play without Patrick Mahomes for an extended stretch at any time in his career, but the backup quarterback is still important for a team that has reached the AFC Championship in seven consecutive years. Gardner Minshew should be locked into the role, and Bailey Zappe was also signed this offseason and will likely end up on the practice squad.
Running back (4)
Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, Carson Steele
One of the tough decisions for the Chiefs will be how to manage their skill-position talent, and keeping seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith off the roster might not happen if he shines with the ball in his hands (including as a returner) in August. The room will at least be comprised of the three veteran runners and versatile fullback Carson Steele, so Smith will need to force them to keep another runner.
Wide receiver (5)
Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Jalen Royals (R), JuJu Smith-Schuster
Skyy Moore has been a mainstay on the roster since being taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but not making much of an impact to date—combined with the selection of rookie Jalen Royals in Round 4—might lead to Moore being left out. If the Chiefs do end up keeping a sixth wideout, Moore will face competition from Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio, Tyquan Thornton, and Jason Brownlee.
Tight end (3)
Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley
The Chiefs have a deep group behind Travis Kelce at tight end, as Robert Tonyan is hoping to get his career back on track, while undrafted rookie Jake Briningstool has the size and talent to shine in Andy Reid’s offense. If 2024 fourth-rounder Jared Wiley doesn’t have a great camp, it’s possible he gets cut in favor of Briningstool in particular.
Offensive tackle (4)
Jaylon Moore, Jawaan Taylor, Josh Simmons (R), Wanya Morris
Top-10 talent Josh Simmons lasting until the end of Round 1 was a best-case scenario for Kansas City, and he should be the left tackle of the future—but could start behind Jaylon Moore to begin his career since he’s coming off a torn patellar tendon. Wayna Morris is another Day 2 pick that the Chiefs would like to have shown a bit more thus far, but we expect he’ll make the team as the fourth tackle.
Interior offensive line (5)
Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad
If it pans out, the Chiefs moving Kingsley Suamataia to left guard—a trend that has become more successful in recent years—could give them a dominant left side of the offensive line for the rest of Patrick Mahomes’ career. Mike Caliendo would step in if Suamataia doesn’t work out, and Hunter Nourzad is a very solid backup center.
Defensive tackle (5)
Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, Omarr Norman-Lott (R), Jerry Tillery, Fabien Lovett Sr.
Big Mike Pennel, second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott, and former first-rounder Jerry Tillery (now on his third team in the AFC West) will all have roles alongside Chris Jones, and we would file away Fabien Lovett Sr. as someone who could emerge if he makes the team. Entering his second season after being undrafted out of Florida State, Lovett will try to beat out Marlon Tuipulotu.
Defensive end (6)
George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Charles Omenihu, Ashton Gillotte (R), Janarius Robinson
Ashton Gillotte in the third round was the primary addition at defensive end this offseason, and Janarius Robinson—who hadn’t appeared in a game until 2023 despite being a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft—signed in free agency after a couple of years with the Raiders. Primarily, the Chiefs will be relying on Felix Anudike-Uzomah to make a Year 3 leap to boost an edge group that combined for just 15.0 sacks in 2024.
Linebacker (5)
Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jeffrey Bassa (R), Cam Jones
Denver and Las Vegas were reportedly among the teams to have interest in Nick Bolton this offseason, but he’s back in Kansas City along with Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal. Fifth-round rookie Jeffrey Bassa should contribute on special teams in Year 1, and the final spot will come down to Cam Jones, Jack Cochrane, and Cole Christiansen.
Cornerback (6)
Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams (R), Joshua Williams, Christian Roland-Wallace
The Chiefs have often relied on bigger boundary cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams alongside Trent McDuffie in recent years, but the group will look a bit different this season with Kristian Fulton being a stickier option for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. The team would love for third-round pick Nohl Williams to earn a starting job, but either way, the group is probably set barring a move for someone like Jaire Alexander.
Safety (5)
Bryan Cook, Jaden Hicks, Chamarri Conner, Mike Edwards, Nazeeh Johnson
Jaden Hicks saw more and more work as his rookie campaign progressed, and he’s the favorite to replace Justin Reid as a starter next to Bryan Cook. Chamarri Conner will continue to see plenty of action in the slot and at safety, and there might be enough room to keep both Mike Edwards and Nazeeh Johnson if the Chiefs don’t carry an extra running back, wide receiver, or tight end.
Special teams (3)
Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester
Harrison Butker is signed through 2028, Matt Araiza showed well in his first year with Kansas City, and James Winchester has been the team’s long snapper since 2015. Undrafted punter Eddie Czaplicki will get a chance to show what he’s got this summer, but no changes are expected on special teams.