Your final 53

[louie aguiar]

Originally Posted by booger

First one is in
S Zayne Anderson
https://nfltraderumors.co/chiefs-wai...ayne-anderson/

still can't believe RGR had Zayne Anderson making the 53 man roster...

[KChiefs1]

Chiefs 53-man roster projection: Daurice Fountain, Darwin Thompson, Tim Ward and others on the bubble

https://theathletic.com/2795943/2021...on-the-bubble/

Nate Taylor:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In my four years covering the Chiefs, this final roster projection ahead of the NFL’s cutdown day has always been the hardest. A week ago, after the Chiefs’ second preseason game, my assessment of the team was this: The Chiefs, because of the impressive depth of the roster, have a good problem. Well, on Friday, that problem became even more difficult for coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach.

The Chiefs finished their preseason with another win, a 28-25 victory over the Minnesota Vikings that featured several young or inexperienced players — those on the roster bubble or deep down on the depth chart — producing splendid highlights.

Last week, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy explained just how tough Tuesday will be for the coaching staff and front office.

“I don’t want to release anybody,” Bieniemy said. “That’s the tough part about being in this position because not only do you get attached to the player because we spend so much time with them, but also you get attached to the person. There’s relationships that are developed here, so it’s hard watching those guys leave. But I understand the profession that we chose.”

The Chiefs are Super Bowl contenders because of superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and players such as tight end Travis Kelce, receiver Tyreek Hill, strong safety Tyrann Mathieu and defensive lineman Chris Jones. But the Chiefs also have close to 65 players on their 80-man roster who could contribute this season. Bieniemy knows cutting 27 players by Tuesday will be a laborious task because many of those players executed the duties the coaching staff demanded in training camp and the exhibition games.

With that knowledge, here’s a bit of advice to several teams hoping to improve their roster after Tuesday: If the Chiefs cut a player at a position where you need depth, don’t hesitate to claim that player on the league’s waiver wire.

Below is our last 53-man roster projection, with thoughts as to why some players earned one of the final spots over their talented teammate.

Note: Per usual, starters are designated in italics. The initial roster after the cutdown will be 53 players. Teams can expand to 55 for game day.



Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (2): Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne

Cut: Shane Buechele

As expected, no changes at this position. Mahomes’ confidence in the Chiefs’ new offensive line, though, is significantly higher from when the preseason began. He performed better behind his linemen as the preseason progressed.

The two biggest positives from the three exhibition games for Reid were that the team avoided a major injury and that Mahomes wasn’t sacked once. Mahomes was flawless in Friday’s game, completing eight of his nine pass attempts for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

Henne, the oldest player on the roster at age 36, was so efficient in the second preseason game that Reid decided to not play him against the Vikings to have more snaps to evaluate Buechele, an undrafted rookie.

“Chad has had enough reps,” Reid said Friday. “I wanted to get the young kid some good, extended playing time.”

Buechele won the third quarterback job in camp over Anthony Gordon. In the preseason, Buechele played well, finishing with 422 passing yards, four total touchdowns and two interceptions. Both turnovers appeared to be mistakes by the receivers, Gehrig Dieter falling on a sloppy field in Arizona and Darrius Shepherd running an incorrect route Friday.

The Chiefs are too talented to keep three quarterbacks and Henne provides plenty of value and experience behind Mahomes. But I wouldn’t be surprised if another team claimed Buechele off waivers.



Running backs (3): Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams, Jerick McKinnon

Cuts: Darwin Thompson, Derrick Gore

This position is somewhat tough to predict because Thompson, a third-year player, was strong in the final two preseason games. But the Chiefs kept just three running backs last year for their initial roster, and it appears that will likely be the case this season. The most impressive player in the position in the preseason was McKinnon, an eight-year veteran who has been proficient as a rusher, receiver and core special-teamer.

“He’s a savvy veteran that’s just very good at a lot of things,” Bieniemy said of McKinnon. “That’s the thing that makes him valuable because he brings a tremendous amount of experience. He’s a heck of a player. We love what he’s bringing. We love how he works in the classroom.”

Another reason to cut Thompson is that he could be easier to sign onto the practice squad if he clears waivers. The same should also occur for Gore, a second-year player who has yet to make his NFL debut. Gore finished Friday’s game with 106 all-purpose yards and was dazzling on a screen pass that he turned into a 56-yard touchdown reception because of his open-field vision.


Fullback (1): Michael Burton

Reid has always preferred having a fullback on his roster who can also be productive on special teams. Burton, a seven-year veteran in his first season with the Chiefs, has demonstrated such skills in the preseason as the replacement for Anthony Sherman, the former longtime Chief. One could make the argument that a rotation of the Chiefs’ tight ends could fulfill Burton’s role, which would free up a spot for another player. But Burton’s snaps with the first-team offense in the first quarter of each preseason game likely proves that he won’t be cut.



Wide receivers (6): Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, Marcus Kemp, Daurice Fountain

Cuts: Cornell Powell, Gehrig Dieter, Maurice French, Dalton Schoen, Darrius Shepherd

We project two changes here since the start of camp. Based on the performance of the two receivers in camp and the preseason, Pringle, a four-year player, should be higher than Robinson, a six-year player, on the depth chart. The second change is that Fountain, a third-year player who spent last with the Indianapolis Colts, is just a much better player right now than Powell, the rookie who the Chiefs selected in the fifth round.

If Powell is indeed cut, he will be the first rookie that Veach, in four years as the general manager, has selected in the draft who didn’t make the initial roster. Fountain, listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, finished the preseason with 10 receptions on 16 targets for 118 yards. Powell didn’t produce a highlight in the preseason, finishing with just four receptions on six targets for 34 yards.

Fountain, I believe, will be claimed by another team if he is waived. The chance of Powell clearing waivers is uncertain.



Tight ends (4): Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Noah Gray, Jody Fortson

The only significant unknown about this position entering camp was whether Forston, in his third season with the Chiefs, would do enough to prove he deserved a roster spot. Kelce, a future Hall of Famer, is the league’s best tight end. Bell, a seven-year veteran, is a reliable blocker who can make short catches, and Gray, a rookie, is talented and capable enough of developing into a contributor later this season.

Fortunately for the Chiefs, Fortson has exceeded every expectation. He has shown quality receiving skills, toughness as a blocker and major improvement on special teams. Last week, special-teams guru Dave Toub said Fortson had increased his stock since the start of the preseason.

“Jody is setting himself up well,” Toub said. “I was just happy to see Jody, with as hard as he worked in the offseason, to be able to show it on the field as a hold-up guy, blocker and cover guy. It’s good to see.”

Entering the regular season, this group of tight ends is one of the most talented in the league.

“I’m satisfied, and I’m pleased with what the tight ends have done,” Bieniemy said last week.



Linemen (10): Orlando Brown Jr., Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Lucas Niang, Mike Remmers, Andrew Wylie, Nick Allegretti, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Austin Blythe

Cuts: Yasir Durant, Wyatt Miller, Darryl Williams, Prince Tega Wanogho

In the past month, this group has had the most change on offense. As I mentioned after the second exhibition, the Chiefs’ best offensive line for opening day against the Cleveland Browns features three rookies — Humphrey at center, Smith at right guard and Niang, who opted out of last season, at right tackle.

“He’s gotten better every week,” Reid said of Niang following Friday’s game. “You’ve got to give him credit for that. He’s had a good camp and he’s had good downs when he’s played.”

Veach’s biggest mission this past offseason was to overhaul the line after a makeshift group, because of multiple injuries, was a disaster in the Chiefs’ blowout loss in Super Bowl LV. Beyond acquiring new linemen to protect Mahomes, Veach has also bolstered the amount of quality backups behind the starters. Remmers, Wylie and Allegretti are all versatile and performed well in the preseason playing multiple positions. Remmers, a nine-year veteran, appears to be the Chiefs’ backup left tackle who can be the primary backup option at right tackle, too. As a four-year player, Wylie can play right tackle and both guard positions. And Allegretti, a third-year player, was the backup center in the preseason with flexibility to play both guard positions.

“I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far,” Reid said of his linemen. “I like the depth, too.”

Duvernay-Tardif, who opted out of last season to be a medical worker on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic, sustained a broken bone in his right hand before the preseason opener. He should be available to return at some point next month. I believe Blythe, who missed Friday’s game because of a sports hernia surgery, has earned the final offensive roster spot.

The Chiefs, though, could place Blythe and guard Kyle Long (rehabbing from surgery to repair his left tibia) on the physically unable to perform list, which would make them ineligible to play in the first six games.






Defense (24)

Linemen (10): Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Jarran Reed, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Danna, Alex Okafor, Tershawn Wharton, Khalen Saunders, Joshua Kaindoh, Tim Ward

Cuts: Tyler Clark, Austin Edwards, Demone Harris, Malik Herring

The most talented position group the three previous seasons was the receivers. That’s no longer the case because Sammy Watkins is with the Baltimore Ravens and the Chiefs have strengthened their defensive line in a manner that should make coordinator Steve Spagnuolo happy.

The line is led by Jones, a six-year veteran who is poised to have perhaps the best season of his career as a hybrid pass rusher who will switch between the defensive end and defensive tackle positions. Jones collected a sack in the first two preseason games, and he has increased his quickness and flexibility from last season. One veteran who didn’t play in the preseason was Clark, a seven-year player who wants to have a redemption season as a pass rusher despite being a Pro Bowler in 2020. An advantage for the Chiefs is that the Browns won’t know exactly how often Jones and Clark will rush quarterback Baker Mayfield from opposite ends of the defensive line.

Two players who made some of the biggest progress in camp and the preseason were Danna, a second-year defensive end, and Saunders, a third-year defensive tackle. Danna spent the preseason chasing ball carriers and quarterbacks on the perimeter with increased speed, recording a tackle for loss against the Arizona Cardinals.

“I’ve talked about Mike a lot, his intelligence, his natural ability,” Spagnuolo said last week of Danna. “I think what (defensive line) coach (Brendan) Daly and (defensive line assistant) Terry Bradden do with him is outstanding. He just keeps (rising). If he can keep doing that, he’s going to help us.”

The surprise move in the group is that the Chiefs cut Taco Charlton, a five-year veteran, last week in favor of Ward, a second-year player who collected three sacks and a forced fumble in the preseason. I believe Ward has earned the final defensive roster spot.

“I did text him to remember that he helped us win an AFC championship,” Spagnuolo said of Charlton. “Sometimes this happens in the league, but I think some of the other guys jumped up and did a nice job. Brett made a good point that it’ll give Taco a chance to catch on with another team.”

Known for his freakish athleticism, Saunders needed to have a strong camp and preseason to ensure his roster spot after a disappointing sophomore season that was disrupted by a left elbow injury. Saunders accomplished his mission and plugged several running lanes in the preseason to demonstrate himself as a rotational player on first and second down.

“I’ve always kind of been an underrated player,” Saunders said last week. “I’m not trying to put any expectations on myself, but just coming from a smaller school in the first place, I’ve always kind of had to go above and beyond as opposed to the guys coming from the FBS schools. It’s familiar territory for me to be underrated and kind of just go out and prove what I already know myself to be.”



Linebackers (5): Anthony Hitchens, Willie Gay, Nick Bolton, Ben Niemann, Dorian O’Daniel

Cuts: Darius Harris, Omari Cobb, Emmanuel Smith

No changes here and this should be what the Chiefs expected when camp began. Hitchens, who is playing at 230 pounds this season instead of 235 a year ago, has appeared faster, both with his decision-making and pursuit of ball carriers. The biggest improvement at the position must come from Gay, a second-year player, and Bolton, a rookie. In limited snaps together in the preseason, Gay and Bolton played well and didn’t make any major mistakes. Bolton will likely be relied upon most on special teams and in certain personnel packages on defense. Gay has the athleticism, tenacity and coverage skills to be one of the Chiefs’ breakout players this season.

Niemann and O’Daniel will continue to be serviceable on special teams and defense when needed. If the Chiefs want to keep another linebacker, Harris, a second-year player, is the best candidate, as he recorded a sack against the Cardinals when blitzing.



Cornerbacks (5): L’Jarius Sneed, Charvarius Ward, Mike Hughes, Rashad Fenton, DeAndre Baker

Cuts: BoPete Keyes, Dicaprio Bootle, Chris Lammons, Marlon Character

If the preseason is any indication of how players might perform in the regular season, Sneed, a second-year player, is heading toward earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Sneed was great in coverage in the exhibition games and has only improved his tackling from last season when he was one of the best rookie defenders in the league. Spagnuolo is expected to utilize Sneed on the perimeter and as the nickel on third down.

Ward, the most experienced cornerback, had positive snaps in the preseason and has shown more consistency with his coverage techniques. The most challenging part of camp for Spagnuolo was to speed up the progress as much as possible with Hughes and Baker. The Chiefs acquired Hughes in a small trade with the Minnesota Vikings, and Baker was returning after recovering from a broken femur injury he sustained in early January during the regular-season finale. Both players have stayed healthy and Hughes has emerged as the third quarterback, as he’ll play on the opposite perimeter of Ward when Sneed is responsible for covering the middle of the field.

Since Hardman is expected to have more responsibility on offense, I would choose Hughes to be the primary punt returner.

“Mike is a very, very good catcher,” Toub said. “He’s a talented returner. He gets up the field. He could probably press the edges a little bit more. We like what we see in him going forward.”

Fenton, a third-year player, receives the last spot because of his experience and reliability. Although Keyes, a second-year player with little experience, is cut in this projection, he could have a role later in the season if he continues to develop on the practice squad the way he has in the preseason. Bootle also played well enough to earn a practice squad spot if he clears waivers.



Safeties (4): Tyrann Mathieu, Daniel Sorensen, Juan Thornhill, Armani Watts

Cuts: Devon Key, Zayne Anderson, Rodney Clemons

Mathieu, an All-Pro player the past two seasons, is not expected to sign a contract extension before the regular season begins. While Mathieu’s situation might surprise a large segment of fans, Spagnuolo also made an interesting and surprising decision to place Sorensen, the oldest defender on the team at age 31, ahead of Thornhill, a three-year player, on the depth chart. All three safeties will be on the field together plenty this season, which should allow Spagnuolo to get creative with his schemes.

Watts, a four-year veteran, returned to the practice fields early in camp after recovering from a foot fracture. He had an above-average preseason by recording two interceptions to regain his spot on the roster. The teammate who battled Watts in camp was Key, an undrafted rookie who was impressive in the offseason workouts. But Key faltered in the preseason, as he surrendered two touchdowns in coverage and didn’t produce a highlight. Key should continue to develop on the practice squad.



Special teams (3)

Kicker (1): Harrison Butker
Punter (1): Tommy Townsend
Long snapper (1): James Winchester

The entire kicking battery is back for another season.

Winchester returned from the COVID-19 list before the preseason and didn’t have any issues with his performance. Butker, who is still looking for his first Pro Bowl selection, was perfect with his field goals and extra point attempts in the last two exhibition games. As a second-year player, Townsend has made nice improvements with his hang time and accuracy with placing the ball inside the 20-yard line.





Practice squad (if unclaimed):

QB Shane Buechele
RB Darwin Thompson
RB Derrick Gore
WR Cornell Powell
WR Darrius Shepherd
T/G Yasir Durant
C/G Darryl Williams
DT Tyler Clark
DE Austin Edwards
DE Demone Harris
LB Darius Harris
LB Omari Cobb
CB BoPete Keyes
CB Dicaprio Bootle
CB Chris Lammons
S Devon Key

[Dante84]

Anderson, Schoen & Shepherd have been waived.

The #Chiefs waived CB Zayne Anderson, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2021

Chiefs are waiving WR Dalton Schoen, per source.

Schoen, who played collegiately at K-State, joined the team on a reserve/future deal during the offseason.

— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) August 30, 2021

The Chiefs have released WR Darrius Shepherd, a Blue Springs grad, sources tell The Star.

— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) August 30, 2021

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Anderson, Schoen & Shepherd have been waived.

Demone Harris has been waived as well.

Chiefs are waiving DE Demone Harris, per source.

Harris, who originally joined the Chiefs in 2019 after being signed from the Ravens' practice squad, is a candidate to return to Chiefs practice squad if he's not claimed.

— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) August 30, 2021

[louie aguiar]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Demone Harris has been waived as well.

Chiefs are waiving DE Demone Harris, per source.

Harris, who originally joined the Chiefs in 2019 after being signed from the Ravens' practice squad, is a candidate to return to Chiefs practice squad if he's not claimed.

— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) August 30, 2021

Harris was on Teicher’s 53 man roster. This means that Tim Ward may be making the cut.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by louie aguiar

Harris was on Teicher’s 53 man roster. This means that Tim Ward may be making the cut.

Ward’s making the cut.

[Skyy God]

Texans are having a fire sale.

Cooks at his $2.5M salary looks pretty solid for a 1 year rental.

[The Franchise]

Key got cut.

[booger]

Key seems really smart and is a solid tackler. Hopefully they can bring him back and coach him up over time

[Kiimo]

Armani Watts looking good certainly played a part

[DJ's left nut]

For all the talk about 'difficult cuts' - this doesn't seem that hard.

Offense(26):

QB (2):
Mahomes, Henne

RB (4):
CEH, McKinnon, Williams, Burton

WR (6):
Hill, Hardman, Robinson, Pringle, Kemp, Fountain

TE (4):
Kelce, Fortson, Bell, Gray

OL (10):
Brown, Thuney, Creed, Smith, Niang, Remmers, Wylie, Allegretti, LDT, Blythe

Defense (24):

DL (10):
Clark, Jones, Okafor, Reed, Nnadi, Dana, Wharton, Saunders, Kaindoh, Ward

LB (5):
Hitchens, Gay, Bolton, Niemann, DoD

CB(5):
Ward, Snead, Hughes, Fenton, Baker

S(4):
Mathieu, Thornhill, Sorensen, Watts

STs(3):
Butker, Townsend, Wichester

I mean...what tough cuts were there? Ward over Harris? Fortson over Thompson? DoD over Keyes/Cobb? Watts over Key? Fountain over Powell?

The Chiefs may ultimately disagree with me but I didn't think this was a difficult roster to put together at all. And LDT probably goes to the IR the day after final rosters are due so that will potentially find a home for one of those guys.

But to my eyes, camp and the pre-season made it clear who deserved to be on the team. Fountain made the squad - flat out took the job. Likewise with Ward and Fortson. The only cuts who played well enough to stay on a quality NFL team were probably Thompson and Gore. Keyes and Key played like shit. Powell was invisible. Harris was just the same fairly limited tweener sort he's always been.

This is as obvious a roster as I've seen coming out of the pre-season in quite some time, IMO. Even the gameday inactives seem likely to be pretty straightforward.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

For all the talk about 'difficult cuts' - this doesn't seem that hard.

Offense(26):

QB (2):
Mahomes, Henne

RB (4):
CEH, McKinnon, Williams, Burton

WR (6):
Hill, Hardman, Robinson, Pringle, Kemp, Fountain

TE (4):
Kelce, Fortson, Bell, Gray

OL (10):
Brown, Thuney, Creed, Smith, Niang, Remmers, Wylie, Allegretti, LDT, Blythe

Defense (24):

DL (10):
Clark, Jones, Okafor, Reed, Nnadi, Dana, Wharton, Saunders, Kaindoh, Ward

LB (5):
Hitchens, Gay, Bolton, Niemann, DoD

CB(5):
Ward, Snead, Hughes, Fenton, Baker

S(4):
Mathieu, Thornhill, Sorensen, Watts

STs(3):
Butker, Townsend, Wichester

I mean...what tough cuts were there? Ward over Harris? Fortson over Thompson? DoD over Keyes/Cobb? Watts over Key? Fountain over Powell?

The Chiefs may ultimately disagree with me but I didn't think this was a difficult roster to put together at all. And LDT probably goes to the IR the day after final rosters are due so that will potentially find a home for one of those guys.

But to my eyes, camp and the pre-season made it clear who deserved to be on the team. Fountain made the squad - flat out took the job. Likewise with Ward and Fortson. The only cuts who played well enough to stay on a quality NFL team were probably Thompson and Gore. Keyes and Key played like shit. Powell was invisible. Harris was just the same fairly limited tweener sort he's always been.

This is as obvious a roster as I've seen coming out of the pre-season in quite some time, IMO. Even the gameday inactives seem likely to be pretty straightforward.

Welcome back, shit stained balls.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I mean...what tough cuts were there? Ward over Harris? Fortson over Thompson? DoD over Keyes/Cobb? Watts over Key? Fountain over Powell?

The Chiefs may ultimately disagree with me but I didn't think this was a difficult roster to put together at all. And LDT probably goes to the IR the day after final rosters are due so that will potentially find a home for one of those guys.

But to my eyes, camp and the pre-season made it clear who deserved to be on the team. Fountain made the squad - flat out took the job. Likewise with Ward and Fortson. The only cuts who played well enough to stay on a quality NFL team were probably Thompson and Gore. Keyes and Key played like shit. Powell was invisible. Harris was just the same fairly limited tweener sort he's always been.

This is as obvious a roster as I've seen coming out of the pre-season in quite some time, IMO. Even the gameday inactives seem likely to be pretty straightforward.

Pretty much.

Our 53's are pretty damn close to the same. Except i don't have LDT making the team. Whether that's due to IR, trade or outright cut, idk.

[louie aguiar]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Pretty much.

Our 53's are pretty damn close to the same. Except i don't have LDT making the team. Whether that's due to IR, trade our outright cut, idk.

I don't think they can put him on IR without first putting him on their final 53. After 24 hours, they can then add him to IR but not without first exposing cut players to be picked up by other teams.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by louie aguiar

I don't think they can put him on IR without first putting him on their final 53. After 24 hours, they can then add him to IR but not without first exposing cut players to be picked up by other teams.

Whatever they have to do....i just don't foresee him being a part of this team. I understand his contract makes him unlikely to be cut, but i think the Chiefs just eat it so they can field their best team.

Didn't play last season.

Barely participated in camp due to injury.

Was buried on the depth chart before the injury.

I don't think that bodes well for him.