Chiefs’ projected 53-man roster leaves several preseason stars behind

The Kansas City Chiefs have now completed their preseason slate of games. Despite going 0-3 in the preseason, there are still reasons to believe in the 2025 Chiefs. They have a talented core of players, but now Brett Veach has the challenging task of cutting the active roster down to 53 players before Tuesday's deadline.

So which players are locks? Which players fought their way onto the team through a strong camp and preseason game performance? Let's take a shot at predicting the final 53-man roster that Kansas City will take into Week One of the regular season.

Kansas City Chiefs 53-man Roster Prediction

Quarterback (2)

1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Gardner Minshew

While Chris Oladokun clearly beat out Bailey Zappe for the third quarterback spot, that spot will be on the practice squad. Andy Reid has shown he's comfortable rostering just two quarterbacks, and with two experienced NFL starters in Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew, there just isn't a need for a third quarterback on the active roster.

Running Back (4)

1. Isiah Pacheco
2. Kareem Hunt
3. Brashard Smith
4. Trade or Player Claimed After Roster Cuts

The top three players are locks to make the team. This past week, rumors surfaced that the Chiefs have been making some phone calls about adding a running back. They missed out on Brian Robinson, but there are some other tempting options that might be available. The run game just hasn't been productive enough, so an addition makes sense. If they can't find a move to make here, Elijah Mitchell would likely beat out Carson Steele for the final spot, unless Dave Toub would prefer Steele for special teams.

Wide Receiver (7)

1. Rashee Rice
2. Xavier Worthy
3. Hollywood Brown
4. Juju Smith-Schuster
5. Jalen Royals
6. Tyquan Thornton
7. Nikko Remigio

You have to think the Chiefs would love to find a way to keep Jason Brownlee, too, but keeping eight wideouts is almost impossible. If Dave Toub likes enough of his other return man options, perhaps Brownlee beats out Remigio, but the more likely scenario is the Chiefs hoping to keep Brownlee on the practice squad until Rashee Rice serves his suspension.

Tight End (4)

1. Travis Kelce
2. Noah Gray
3. Robert Tonyan
4. Jared Wiley

Jared Wiley is probably lucky that the Chiefs have a history of keeping four tight ends. Robert Tonyan ran away with the third tight end competition. Given the possibility of Travis Kelce retiring after this season, the Chiefs may potentially see a trio of Gray, Tonyan, and Wiley as a way to fill that void by committee next season.

Offensive Line (9)

1. Josh Simmons
2. Kingsley Suamataia
3. Creed Humphrey
4. Trey Smith
5. Jawaan Taylor
6. Jaylon Moore
7. Wanya Morris
8. Mike Caliendo
9. Hunter Nourzad

The Chiefs have kept ten offensive linemen before, but because of the depth or the need to keep more offensive skill position players, nine seems more likely this season. A lot of people may have Esa Pole on their final roster prediction, but with Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris each having worked at both tackle spots, a third backup tackle seems unlikely. Pole showed some promise but will likely be safe on the practice squad. 2024 draft pick C.J. Hanson just hasn't shown enough to warrant keeping over some of K.C.'s skill position options.

Defensive Line (9)

1. Chris Jones
2. George Karlaftis
3. Charles Omenihu
4. Mike Pennel
5. Mike Danna
6. Ashton Gillotte
7. Omarr Norman-Lott
8. Jerry Tillery
9. Trade or Player Claimed After Roster Cuts

The Chiefs likely feel good about their top eight options along the defensive line, but with Felix Anudike-Uzomah landing on IR and no other defensive tackles really proving worthy of a roster spot, the Chiefs may look for someone to add for more depth. There were a few tempting options on Matt Conner's recent list of possible roster cuts to watch. If K.C. can't find an option they like better, Malik Herring has been their go-to option to fill out the bottom of the roster in recent years.

Linebacker (5)

1. Nick Bolton
2. Drue Tranquill
3. Leo Chenal
4. Jeffrey Bassa
5. Cooper McDonald

It seemed like Jack Cochrane was a lock for the final linebacker spot, but with the rise of Jeffrey Bassa and some very encouraging preseason play by Cooper McDonald, Cochrane's recent knee issue could give Kansas City the ability to stash him on IR and give the younger players a shot. If Cochrane is healthy and Dave Toub fights for him, Veach may opt to keep him and risk McDonald on the practice squad, but McDonald simply outplayed Cochrane this preseason.

Cornerback (6)

1. Trent McDuffie
2. Jaylon Watson
3. Kristian Fulton
4. Nohl Williams
5. Chris Roland-Wallace
6. Kevin Knowles

This would have been a surprising list of cornerbacks before training camp and preseason. Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson have been roster regulars and played significant snaps the past couple of seasons, but they've been outplayed consistently by second-year man Chris Roland-Wallace and rookies Nohl Williams and Kevin Knowles. Kansas City keeping Johnson and trying to hide Knowles on the practice squad is definitely a possibility, but Knowles’ play on special teams may make him a guy that Toub wants on the roster.

Safety (4)

1. Bryan Cook
2. Jaden Hicks
3. Chamarri Conner
4. Mike Edwards

The Chiefs are a little thin at safety, but with six corners, there doesn't seem to be room for a fifth option, and the Chiefs don't really have any other options worthy of the active roster. They have used Roland-Wallace some at safety, and if they needed to, McDuffie could play more in the slot, freeing up Chamarri Conner to play more true safety.

Special Teams (3)

1. Harrison Butker
2. Matt Araiza
3. James Winchester

This one is already locked in, so there isn't anything else to discuss.

So there's your prediction for the final 53-man roster that the Chiefs will take into the regular season. Is there anyone you see missing from this list? Anyone you don't think makes it? How do you feel about the prediction of K.C. adding a running back and defensive lineman from another team? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.