The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defeated the Washington Commanders in Week 2 of the 2022 NFL preseason. It marked the second time that Kansas Metropolis has performed in a recreation with the entire new items acquired this offseason. The roster stays very aggressive, however some gamers have clearly separated themselves from the remainder.
Andy Reid and Brett Veach need the group to make issues as onerous as humanly attainable on them when it comes right down to last roster cuts. The second wave of the NFL’s gradual roster cuts comes at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The Chiefs and the remainder of the league might want to lower their rosters right down to 80 gamers at the moment.
With that in thoughts, we’re taking one other crack at projecting the 53-man roster. That is our fourth projection of the yr, following our way-too-early projection, pre-training camp projection, and post-preseason Week 1 projection.
Right here’s a take a look at our newest projected 53-man roster for the Chiefs:
Quarterback: 2
AP Photograph/Charlie Riedel
Patrick Mahomes
Chad Henne
Launched: Shane Buechele and Dustin Crum.
Follow squad potential: Shane Buechele.
Buechele has been given some possibilities to oust Henne for the No. 2 job, however I’m undecided that he’s proven sufficient to land himself that spot, not to mention a spot on the 53-man roster. If the group places him on waivers, I may see the Giants or Cardinals putting a waiver declare. If he by some means makes it via waivers, he’ll find yourself on the observe squad in Kansas Metropolis.
Operating again: 4
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Jerick McKinnon
Isiah Pacheco
Michael Burton (FB)
Launched: Ronald Jones, Derrick Gore and Tayon Fleet-Davis.
Follow squad potential: Derrick Gore and Tayon Fleet-Davis.
The trio of working backs that I selected to launch actually have did not separate themselves. I got here away impressed sufficient with Fleet-Davis in Week 2 that I’d be blissful to see him again on the observe squad. I’d be shocked if Ronald Jones has any worth in commerce.
Tight finish: 4
Travis Kelce
Blake Bell
Noah Grey
Jody Fortson
Launched: Jordan Franks and Matt Bushman.
Follow squad potential: Matt Bushman.
After listening to Patrick Mahomes communicate after the sport on Saturday, I’m satisfied that they’ll preserve 4 tight ends if Bell is wholesome. They’re a bunch of interchangeable items however all of them have distinctive expertise they excel at. Bushman could possibly be an possibility for the observe squad.
Broad Receiver: 6
Mecole Hardman
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Skyy Moore
Justin Watson
Daurice Fountain
Launched: Cornell Powell, Corey Coleman, Josh Gordon, Jerrion Ealy, and Aaron Parker.
Follow squad potential: Cornell Powell, Jerrion Ealy and Corey Coleman.
The six receivers I selected for the 53-man roster have far-and-away separated themselves from the remainder of the pack. Even Fountain has quietly had a pleasant preseason. I may see Coleman touchdown on the group instead of Fountain in the event that they really feel they want one other return specialist. I’d like to discover a approach to persuade Josh Gordon to stay round on the observe squad, however I get the sense that different groups will wish to kick the tires there.
Offensive line: 9
LT Orlando Brown Jr.
LG Joe Thuney
C Creed Humphrey
RG Trey Smith
RT Andrew Wylie
OT Geron Christian
OG Nick Allegretti
C Austin Reiter
OT Darian Kinnard
Launched: Roderick Johnson, Prince Tega Wanogho, Mike Caliendo, David Steinmetz and Vitaliy Gurman.
PUP: Lucas Niang.
Follow squad potential: Prince Tega Wanogho, Vitaliy Gurman and Mike Caliendo.
My checklist right here is unchanged from my final projection. I’m nonetheless not satisfied that Kinnard has performed sufficient to make it as something greater than a developmental participant stashed on the 53-man roster. I wouldn’t hate them exploring a commerce for an additional deal with or a participant with guard-tackle versatility. The rookies and Prince Tega Wanogho appear to be gamers certain for the observe squad.
Defensive deal with: 5
Chris Jones
Derrick Nnadi
Tershawn Wharton
Khalen Saunders
Danny Shelton
Launched: Matt Dickerson and Kehinde Oginni Hassan.
Commerce(?): Taylor Stallworth.
Follow squad potential: Matt Dickerson and Kehinde Oginni Hassan.
Saunders continues to be edging out Stallworth in my guide, however it has been shut between the 2. I feel the Chiefs ought to be capable of swap Stallworth in a player-for-player commerce if all goes properly. Dickerson and Oginni Hassan appear to be gamers value maintaining on the observe squad.
Defensive Finish: 5
Frank Clark
George Karlaftis
Carlos Dunlap
Mike Danna
Malik Herring
Launched: Joshua Kaindoh and Azur Kamara.
Follow squad potential: Joshua Kaindoh and Azur Kamara.
I don’t really feel like Kaindoh has proven sufficient to make what has develop into a really aggressive place group. He had one massive second on a cross batted in preseason Week 2, however his impression within the field rating has been extremely restricted. If Kaindoh and Kamara make it via waivers they’re each candidates for the observe squad in Kansas Metropolis.
Linebacker: 5
Nick Bolton
Willie Homosexual
Leo Chenal
Darius Harris
Elijah Lee
Launched: Jack Cochrane and Mike Rose.
Commerce (?): Jermaine Carter.
Follow squad potential: Jack Cochrane and Mike Rose.
I trimmed this group down to 5 this time round, with Cochrane narrowly lacking the 53-man roster. Chenal earned work because the beginning SAM in preseason Week 2 and has regarded actually good because the backup MIKE in opposition to late-string gamers. Harris and Lee appear to be guys who will get nearly all of their work on particular groups. Cochrane and Rose may proceed to develop on the observe squad.
Cornerback: 6
L’Jarius Sneed
Trent McDuffie
Rashad Fenton
Joshua Williams
Jaylen Watson
Chris Lammons
Launched: Dicaprio Bootle, Brandin Dandridge and Nazeeh Johnson.
Follow squad potential: Dicaprio Bootle, Brandin Dandridge and Nazeeh Johnson.
I hate to interrupt up the “Fab 5” however between the cross breakup, late-game interception and his play on particular groups, Lammons is proving that he needs to be the No. 6 nook in Kansas Metropolis. Bootle, Dandridge and Johnson all have a case for the observe squad ought to they make it via waivers.
Security: 4
Juan Thornhill
Justin Reid
Bryan Prepare dinner
Deon Bush
Launched: Zayne Anderson, Devon Key and Nasir Greer.
Follow squad potential: Zayne Anderson, Devon Key and Nasir Greer.
No modifications right here. Deon Bush is that dude. He’s a big-hitter and actually the right No. 4 security for Kansas Metropolis. Anderson, Key and Greer all have an opportunity to land on the observe squad, with Anderson the likeliest candidate attributable to his particular groups prowess.
Specialists: 3
Okay Harrison Butker
P Tommy Townsend
LS James Winchester
No competitors, so no modifications right here.