The Chiefs had their final preseason matchup against the Cleveland Browns this past Saturday, and with many spectacular performances from a lot of "fringe" players there's a ton of talk behind who will make the final roster cuts set to be done by tomorrow at 3:00pm. Let's analyze and predict who exactly will make this team, starting with my roster predictions first:
QB: Mahomes, Gabbert
HB: Pacheco, McKinnon, Perine, CEH
WR: Toney, Moore, Valdez-Scantling, James, Rice, Ross, Watson
TE: Kelce, Gray, Bell
LT: D. Smith, Morris
LG: Thuney, Allegretti
C: Humphrey, Reiter
RG: T. Smith, Kinnard
RT: J. Taylor, Niang
DE: Karlaftis, Omenihu, FAU, Danna, Thompson
DT: C. Jones, Nnadi, Shelton, Coburn, Wharton LB: Gay, Bolton, Tranquill, Chenal
CB: McDuffie, Sneed, Williams, Watson, N. Jones
S: Reid, Cook, Edwards, Conner, Bush
K: Butker
P: Townsend
LS: Winchester
The positions to note here are backup quarterback, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. Everything else is pretty set in stone, but these 4 positions are the big ones everyone is talking about. Starting with backup QB, both Blaine Gabbert and Shane Buechele have had excellent preseasons. Gabbert threw for 21 completions on 34 attempts, 348 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception throughout the 3 preseason games. Buechele threw for 29 completions on 45 attempts, 349 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Gabbert edges out Buechele in both performance and experience, giving him the backup position. It's been discussed that the Chiefs should keep 3 quarterbacks, but I just don't find that feasible. I think the 4 running backs, 3 tight ends, and 7 wide receivers will do more for this team, which is what I have them doing. The 4 backs I included does not include Deneric Prince. If you're quiet for even a single game as a UDFA, that could mean major trouble for your chances of making the roster, which is what happened with Prince. He will make a good addition to the practice squad and could see reps. As far as the tight ends go, yes Bushman had a good camp and solid preseason, but 4 tight ends is a bit much and doesn't make a lot of sense to do that as well as 7 wide receivers. Bushman did not prove himself enough to be a solid pass catcher, so he goes to the practice squad as well. With those 7 receivers I have Justyn Ross included, who had 6 catches for 59 yards and 2 touchdowns and has shown his potential in droves. If he can stay healthy, I feel he could make a significant impact. A guy that may have been snubbed out of a spot though is Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who had 195 yards off 9 catches and 2 touchdowns. He has shown that he belongs on an NFL roster, but I just don't see room for him here. Expect him to be a trade asset that will potentially pay out handsomely for both sides.
Other than that though, not much controversy here. With the Chris Jones holdout we could potentially see guys like Josh Kaindoh come up and other fringe guys along that defensive line but once he comes back it will be business as usual. The defensive backs are young but will be better than they were last year and will also include promising young rookies in Chamarri Conner and Nic Jones. The linebacking corps will be this team's strength though until Jones makes his return, with a ton of speed and physicality rearing to get after it this season. Overall, don't expect too many surprises, but potentially small controversy lies ahead. These are tough decisions to be made here in the next 20 hours or so, where do you think the Chiefs will go?
Burn Notice: 9/10 Who's on the hot seat???
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