With cuts looming this weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs have played two exhibition games and have likely already settled on the bottom of the 53-man roster. This might be one of the most talented yet unproven rosters in Andy Reid’s era. So who makes the cut?
With a meaningless preseason game set for Friday night in Kansas City, the Chiefs play their final tune-up against the defending Super Bowl champs, whom they will face in the regular season.
Head Coach Andy Reid and his staff are already in Denver Broncos game plan mode, but he also has to finalize his regular-season roster. Though a few spots remain up for grabs, the bottom of that roster will be determined by which players Dave Toub can convince his boss are needed this season.
Nick’s 53-Man Roster
Quarterbacks (3): Patrick Mahomes, Garrett Nussmeier, Justin Fields
Mahomes will start the regular season as the Chiefs’ starter. Fields will be the backup, but I rank Nussmeier ahead of the former Chicago Bears’ top pick. In my view, Nussmeier has better command of the offense and is a much better fit for Reid’s system than Fields. Don’t get me wrong, he’s had some nice moments under center, but Nussmeier looks the part and could run KC’s offense if he had to in a pinch.
Running Backs: (4) Kenneth Walker, Emmett Johnson, Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith
With so many injuries at the position a year ago, Kansas City was aggressive in signing Walker in free agency. Johnson is clearly the best back after Walker, and with Smith likely taking over return duties from Nikko Remigio, keeping him and Demercado makes sense. Yet if the Chiefs need to keep a vital backup in another group, they could cut him from the roster.
Tight Ends: (3) Travis Kelce, Jake Briningstool, Noah Gray
Kelce, in what could be his final season in Kansas City, can set the tone for his retirement by taking Briningstool under his wing and setting the table for Briningstool to become the Chiefs’ starter next year. Gray and Wiley are entering the final year of their deals, but Wiley still hasn’t taken the next step.
Wide Receivers: (6) Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Cyrus Allen, Jalen Royals, Andrew Armstrong, Tyquan Thornton
I don’t think Remigio can make this roster because nothing about his pass-catching stands out. Plus, the team can always slide Briningstool inside as a receiver, which further supports keeping him on the roster. Royals is the wild card, and he and Allen have handled most of the receiving work and done a solid job.
Offensive Line: (9) Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Khalil Benson, Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole, Huner Norzard, Mike Caliendo
With Smith dealing with a hip injury, I recommend keeping CJ Hanson; the team has enough depth to back up Smith. Benson, who should start at right tackle, has also been playing guard. I’ve not seen much from Moore, but he’s a veteran earning big money. Trading him is an option, though it’s a risk.
Edge Rusher: (5) George Karlaftis, R Mason Thomas, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Emmanuel Ogba, Tyreek Smith
This could be a position the Chiefs add to at some point next week. Injuries to Gillotte and Tyreek Smith complicate this group, but I suspect the Chiefs will place Gillotte on the PUP list. Mason Thomas has been the defensive standout in August, but FAU is the biggest surprise. He looks better than he did at Kansas State, and after three seasons of injuries, he could be the wild card for KC’s pass rush.
Defensive Line: (4) Chris Jones, Peter Woods, Khyris Tonga, Marcus Harris
Norman-Lott still hasn’t been cleared to practice, and with three weeks until the opener, he’s shown no signs of returning to the field. He’ll join fellow 2025 pick Gillotte on the PUP list to open the season. If he’s placed on the PUP list, Brevard Cole could get the nod over Harris. Either way, this group remains a work in progress.
Linebacker: (5) Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Jeffrey Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Jack Cochrane
Cole Christiansen could make the group. To me, he and Cochrane are the same player, but the group remains one shy in playmaking. Bassa could change the tune in a hurry. He’s been one of the standouts this month and can play much more than Spags allowed him to play a year ago.
Cornerbacks: (8) Nohl Williams, Mansoor Delane, L’Jarius Sneed, Kristian Fulton, Chris Rolland Wallace, Jadon Canady
It’s a big staff, but outside of Williams, Fulton, and a healthy Sneed, this group will need time to become a solid unit. It’s certainly a deep bunch, and I’m excited to watch them mature as the season rolls on. Elam is probably a reach, but he only considered the Chiefs for his comeback. He’s too talented to give up on now, but he’s the odd man out – unless Sneed opens on PUP.
Safety: (4) Chamarri Connor, Jaden Hicks, Alohi Gilman, Xavier Nwankpa
DeShon Singleton had some nice moments on the field, but he was cut in favor of Nwankpa, who I think has better ball skills. This group is vital to the Chiefs’ defense, and the four main guys need to be the back-end protectors until the Chiefs develop a consistent pass rush. To me, Connor needs to play his best football.
Special Teams (3) Matt Araiza, Harrison Butker, James Winchester
This might be the best trio in the NFL. Butker, who nailed a 69-yard field goal in Tampa on Saturday, appears to have put his early-season 2025 issues behind him. Yes, he missed a fourth-quarter field goal on Saturday, but he’ll be just fine. Winchester, who is playing his 15th year in KC, and Araiza give this unit its one-two-three punch.
