[jjchieffan]

I found this one done by A to Z Sports and I pretty much agree with it.

What will the final iteration of the team look like in September, following roster cuts? Below, we're taking our first stab at a 53-man roster projection.

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks. Players with double asterisks (**) are reported 2025 undrafted free agents (some might be minicamp invites that were misreported; it happens every year). Players in italics are practice squad candidates.


Quarterback (2)
On the 53-man roster: Patrick Mahomes & Gardner Minshew
Cut: Chris Oladokun & Bailey Zappe

This group shouldn't surprise anyone. Minshew is viewed as the clear backup to Mahomes. I think the Chiefs would prefer Zappe on the practice squad to Oladokun. However, Zappe did get poached on the practice squad last season.

Running back (4)
On the 53-man roster: Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, & Brashard Smith*
Cut: Keaontay Ingram, Carson Steele, Elijah Young**, Qualan Jones**


It will be harder for Carson Steele to make the 53-man roster than last season, given the hopes for Elijah Mitchell and the investment in Brashard Smith. The competition extends beyond the running back room, too. The kick and punt return roles could be the deciding factor here.

Tight end (3)
On the 53-man roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool**
Cut: Baylor Cupp, Anthony Firkser, Robert Tonyan, Tre Watson**
PUP: Jared Wiley


If Wiley starts on the PUP, which he might, it opens an opportunity for a player like Bringstool or Watson to make an impression and make the team. I wouldn't rule out any one of Cupp, Firkser, or Tonyan taking a step forward in Year 2.

Wide receiver (6)
On the 53-man roster: Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals*, Nikko Remigio, JuJu Smith-Schuster
Cut: Skyy Moore, Elijhah Badger**, Tyquan Thornton, Justyn Ross, Mac Dalena**, Jason Brownlee


Based on what I've seen and heard, I expect Rice to start the 2025 NFL season healthy and not suspended. This is going to be a tough wide receiver room to crack. I think return ability keeps Remigio on the roster. Smith-Schuster earns the last spot over Skyy Moore as a veteran, but I won't be shocked if Badger and Dalena make it a tough decision.

Offensive line (10)
On the 53-man roster: Jaylon Moore, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Josh Simmons*, Hunter Nourzad, Wanya Morris, Esa Pole**, and Mike Caliendo
Cut: Ethan Driskell, McKade Mettauer, C.J. Hanson, Chu Godrick, Dalton Cooper**


The Chiefs exhausted all options to improve the tackle position, and I won't be shocked to see some changes. They'll ease in Simmons, which probably means no starting role initially. I expect Pole and Cooper to push guys like Driskell and Morris. Ultimately, Morris sticks around because he'll show he can be a solid right tackle and play inside. Speaking of inside, I worry K.C. didn't do enough at this group to offset the loss of Thuney.

Defensive line (10)
On the 53-man roster: George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu, Mike Danna, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Ashton Gillotte*, Omarr Norman-Lott*, Chris Jones, Jerry Tillery, Mike Pennel, Fabien Lovett
Cut: Siaki Ika, Malik Herring, Marlon Tuipulotu, Janarius Robinson, Coziah Izzard**
NFI: BJ Thompson

This group is going to be competitive. The wild-card here is BJ Thompson, who I'm leaving on the NFI list because I have no idea if he'll play in 2025. If he's at rookie minicamp as an "injured player," that'll be a good sign. I have Lovett making the 53 in Year 2 after a glowing endorsement from Mike Pennel, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Ika or Izzard push for that spot. Robinson has virtually no shot to make it outside of something unexpected, like an injury.

Linebacker (5)
On the 53-man roster: Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jeffrey Bassa*, & Cam Jones
Cut: Shaun Bradley, Blake Lynch, Cole Christiansen, Brandon George**
PUP: Jack Cochrane

The Chiefs typically like keeping six linebackers, but I think this will be a year where they just can't afford that luxury. Maybe an injury allows them to activate Cochrane from the PUP at some point, but I expect Bassa and Jones to be the primary backups to start the season.

Cornerback (6)
On the 53-man roster: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams*, Joshua Williams, & Chris Roland-Wallace
Cut: Nazeeh Johnson, Darius Rush, Eric Scott Jr., Jacobe Covington**, Melvin Smith**, & Kevin Knowles**

I ultimately think they keep six cornerbacks this year because even with Trent McDuffie moving back to the slot, they just have too many boundary corners. Watson, both Williamses, and even Fulton are best suited on the perimeter. That gives a guy like Roland-Wallace an advantage (and any other cornerback who can play in the slot).

Safety (4)
On the 53-man roster: Bryan Cook, Mike Edwards, Chamarri Conner, & Jaden Hicks
Cut: Deon Bush, Glendon Miller**, Will Brooks**, & Jason Taylor II

This group feels pretty straightforward, but I wouldn't be shocked if Brooks pushed for a roster spot. I just don't exactly know how you find room for a fifth safety without an injury in this room.

Special teams (3)
On the 53-man roster: K Harrison Butker, P Eddie Czeplicki, LS James Winchester
Cut: P Matt Araiza

Last season, I predicted that Ryan Rehkow would beat out Araiza. I think they'll give Czeplicki every chance to win this year because Araiza wasn't very good in his first season in 2024. He's got a cannon for a leg, but he lacks the touch and precision that the team had with Tommy Townsend.