Nick Jacobs’ 2023 Chiefs 53-man roster prediction: v2.0
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs Common Supervisor Brett Veach is in a troublesome spot proper now.
The Chiefs are an estimated $269,569 underneath the wage cap as of Aug. 17.
Defensive sort out Chris Jones counts $28.291M in opposition to the wage cap throughout his present contract holdout.
Most groups want to have between $10M and $15M in cap house so they’re agile sufficient to make additions and brace for sudden injured reserve additions.
The defending Tremendous Bowl champions seem to have robust depth throughout the roster.
The largest query marks are on the backup three tech place at defensive sort out and an extra veteran edge rusher to cushion the six-game suspension of Charles Omenihu.
The Chiefs roster for my part is among the stronger rosters from a expertise, velocity and depth perspective within the 13 years of attending coaching camp at Missouri Western State College.
Accidents at sure positions can derail a place, however most positions on the roster seem to have the ability to climate the storms of an NFL season. The evaluation under relies on my 14 days at Chiefs coaching camp and a few days at organized staff actions and minicamp.
Quarterbacks (3)
On the roster: Patrick Mahomes, Blaine Gabbert and Shane Buechele
Gabbert has the arm to attenuate the drop off in play-calling if Mahomes is unable to finish a sport. Gabbert nonetheless appears to be processing easy methods to rapidly learn the protection and choices primarily based on Andy Reid’s scheme. Gabbert has a behavior of going via a pair reads after which going to the test down. He has the bodily capacity to push the ball down the sphere.
Buechele has good athletic capacity and likes to create on roll outs and outdoors of the pocket. His capacity to make use of his legs like Alex Smith is what builds his confidence throughout a sport. His downside is how typically he will get caught staring down receiving choices and defenders who’re sitting in zone protection leap on the routes with ease. I might personally let him clear waivers and put him on follow squad, however I don’t assume the Chiefs will danger it.
Observe Squad Potential: Chris Oladokun
Oladokun is an athletic quarterback that shines when he takes off to run. His accuracy was off throughout camp and he can panic a bit at occasions and heave passes up that find yourself in interceptions. He seems to nonetheless be studying easy methods to rapidly decipher and adapt to the protection.
Operating Backs (4)
On the roster: Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La’Mical Perine
Pacheco has been at Chiefs coaching camp since quarterbacks and rookies reported. He was concerned in almost 22 practices throughout camp. The veterans solely had 19 of them. Pacheco has pushed himself to remain in situation regardless of not having the ability to get hit in drills.
McKinnon was capable of get his work in, however not be overwhelmed in snaps.
Edwards-Helaire noticed a rotation between the primary and second staff. He could be a great commerce candidate for a staff that wants a operating again.
Perine appeared to leap frog Deneric Prince this week after the primary preseason sport. Perine has been a dependable go protector all through coaching camp.
Prince has struggled at occasions in go safety. Prince will want some robust performances in preseason to surpass Perine.
Jerrion Ealy has velocity price persevering with work to develop his different abilities.
Observe squad potential: Deneric Prince and Jerrion Ealy
Broad Receiver (7)
On the roster: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Richie James, Justyn Ross, Rashee Rice and Justin Watson
Valdes-Scantling and Mahomes are slowly bettering their timing on deep passes. Moore continues to construct on the tip to final season. He’s slowly turning into extra assured within the offense and what coverages he’s studying. Moore confirmed dependable arms all through camp.
James can cease on a dime and speed up instantly in a distinct route. He juked a number of defenders all through coaching camp. James additionally was a dependable receiver that was fearlessly catching passes over the center.
Ross earned his method onto the roster along with his capacity to constantly stack high quality days collectively. He appeared misplaced at occasions throughout low season actions, however he regarded to have a greater grasp when camp rolled round. The important thing for him might be limiting among the drops on routine passes.
Rice will want time to develop within the scheme and gained’t doubtless see his full praise of snaps till halfway via the season.
Rice has the dimensions, catch radius and velocity to compete and excel within the Chiefs scheme.
I anticipate that Nikko Remigio will find yourself on injured reserve along with his shoulder harm. He was routinely stacking high quality days collectively. He would have made it robust to waive him and anticipate him to not find yourself with Jacksonville, Washington or the New York Giants.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette might present high quality particular groups depth. Kekoa Crawford confirmed effort and a vertical worthy of giving further time to develop on the follow squad.
Cornell Powell’s lack of explosiveness grew to become evident with this group of huge receivers in entrance of him.
Injured Reserve: Nikko Remigio
Observe Squad Chance: Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Kekoa Crawford
Out: Cornell Powell, Ty Scott and Ty Fryfogle
Tight Ends (3)
On the roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Grey, and Matt Bushman
The tight finish place was shaping as much as be attention-grabbing all through the camp. After the shoulder harm to Jody Fortson, the dialog altered to if the Chiefs might preserve Bell and Bushman. Bushman has been a dependable receiver at coaching camp. His dimension and energy to get upfield rapidly are one thing the Chiefs have lacked from the group. Bell remains to be a strong blocking tight finish however the Chiefs may be capable to launch him off the preliminary 53-man roster and re-sign him a day later if they should get somebody to return from injured reserve.
Blanton is a dependable blocking tight finish and a gentle presence if the Chiefs elected to maneuver on from Bell.
Gathings confirmed sufficient promise to develop for the 2024 season. He simply got here in too late to make a most influence for the preliminary 2023 roster.
Launch for a day and return the subsequent day: Blake Bell
Observe Squad Chance: Kendall Blanton and Izaiah Gathings
Already positioned on IR: Jody Fortson
Offensive Line (9)
On the roster: Donovan Smith, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Wanya Morris, Nick Alegretti, Lucas Niang and Darian Kinnard
The Chiefs are set of their first seven or eight offensive linemen. The query for me is that if they want to preserve Lucas Niang over Prince Tega-Wanogho. Each present strong depth. Niang simply has extra enjoying expertise. Each would doubtless make one other NFL roster whether or not via commerce or being waived.
Commerce Potential: Prince Tega Wanogho
Observe Squad Chance: Austin Reiter, Jerome Carvin and Mike Caliendo
Out: Jason Goodrich, Sebastian Gutierrez and Anderson Hardy
Defensive Line (9)
On the roster: Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Mike Danna, Derrick Nandi, Keondre Coburn, Malik Herring, Danny Shelton and BJ Thompson
This place group is the spot the place the Chiefs might use roster additions at three tech defensive sort out and a veteran rotational defensive finish to assist with the lack of Charles Omenihu to suspension.
The largest query is when Chris Jones returns.
Different questions embrace If BJ Thompson has completed sufficient to exchange Joshua Kaindoh on particular groups. And what’s the well being of Tershawn Wharton’s knee?
Herring’s highest quality is his versatility. He can rush at finish, sort out and eat up snaps on particular groups.
Six-Sport Suspension: Charles Omenihu
Potential Injured Reserve Candidate: Tershawn Wharton
Observe Squad Chance: Truman Jones and Phil Hoskins
Out: Joshua Kaindoh, Chris Williams and Daniel Clever
Linebackers (5)
On the roster: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Willie Homosexual, Leo Chenal and Jack Cochrane
Tranquill offers a lot versatility for the linebacker room. He’s arguably their finest protection linebacker and their most full linebacker total.
Cochrane offers high quality particular groups worth. Jones wants extra time to develop. Olakunie Fatukasi got here into camp too late for a sensible shot on the 53-man roster to start out out the season.
Observe Squad Chance: Cam Jones and Olakunie Fatukasi
Out: Cole Christiansen
Cornerbacks (5)
On the roster: L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams and Nic Jones
The Chiefs cornerback state of affairs might be attention-grabbing over the subsequent couple of weeks.
The standing of Sneed from his knee harm sustained early in camp and Jones fractured fingers depart the standing of Hailassie and Boye-Doe a query mark for the energetic roster. The Chiefs have robust developmental depth within the secondary this season.
Jones is somebody I might see making the preliminary 53-man roster and going onto injured reserve.
Observe Squad Potential: Kahlef Hailassie, Ekow Boye-Doe and Reese Taylor
Out: Dicaprio Bootle, Lamar Jackson and Duron Lowe
Security (5)
On the roster: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook dinner, Mike Edwards, Chamarri Conner and Deon Bush
The Chiefs security room grew to become fairly clear after Nazeeh Johnson sustained a knee harm. That put Deon Bush again on the roster.
Observe Squad Potential: Anthony Cook dinner
Out: Isaiah Norman
Specialist
On the roster: Harrison Butker, Tommy Townsend and James Winchester
The Chiefs have a dependable mixture amongst their specialists.
Roster Breakdown
Offense: 26
Protection: 24
Specialist: 3
All groups should scale back their rosters from 90 to 53 gamers on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
Waiver declare notifications might be introduced on Aug. 30 after 11 a.m CT.
Observe squads of 16 gamers will be signed after the tip of waiver declare notifications.
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