Nick Jacob's 53 man Roster Prediction

[The Franchise]

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2014/8...tion-preseason

Quarterbacks (3)

1. Alex Smith
2. Tyler Bray
3. Aaron Murray


The Chiefs have a big decision to make at this position. Do they get the next wave (Tyler Bray, Aaron Murray) ready for the future? Or keep the expensive veteran (Chase Daniel) in 2014? I say the former. Bray has had an impressive camp. He needs to take the next step in his development with the team. Murray is a similar quarterback to Daniel but he needs reps in this offense. The only way that happens is if he's on the roster.


Running Back (4)

1. Jamaal Charles
2. Knile Davis
3. De'Anthony Thomas
4. Joe McKnight


The top two are set. Thomas is going to be utilized in a multitude of ways. The Chiefs are going to need their fourth back to be able to step in. McKnight, who started camp on the PUP list and lkely won't play Thursday night, is an established veteran with good speed. He also would be a very good contributor on special teams.


Fullback (1)

1. Anthony Sherman

Sherman came to camp in great shape and has picked up where he left off in 2013.


Wide Receivers (6)

1. Dwayne Bowe
2. Donnie Avery
3. Kyle Williams
4. Junior Hemingway
5. Albert Wilson
6. Frankie Hammond


Avery has had a steady camp with some solid catches but hasn't been threatened by anyone for his roster spot. Some thought AJ Jenkins could be that guy but it's been Kyle Williams who has pushed Jenkins. Hemingway started camp out on a strong note but sustained a hamstring injury and hasn't seen the field since the last week of July. Hemingway, an exceptional gunner on special teams, was the featured slot receiver during OTAs. Wilson has picked up where he left off in spring practices. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia State has been the primary target among the quarterbacks. Hammond is having an impressive camp, too. He has shown an ability to get separation off the line and add some much needed speed to the roster.


Tight End (3)

1. Anthony Fasano
2. Travis Kelce
3. Demetrius Harris


Harris provides the most upside of the remaining tight ends. He hasn't had the same impact in camp that he did in spring practices but there isn't much competition left.


Offensive Line (8)

1. Eric Fisher
2. Jeff Allen
3. Rodney Hudson
4. Zach Fulton
5. Donald Stephenson
6. Eric Kush
7. Ryan Harris
8. Ricky Henry


Fulton has been the surprise of camp showing a good base and not looking lost on the field. Kush is ready from a strength perspective to push for a job over the next year. He got big. Harris, signed this offseason, had a shaky start but has steadily improved with each practice. The late addition to the roster has provided the team a serviceable swing tackle with solid technique. Henry, another player who could provide solid depth, has seen looks with the first offense in the past week. I would not be surprised to see the Chiefs look for additional depth on the waiver wire.


Defensive End (4)

1. Mike DeVito
2. Allen Bailey
3. Jaye Howard
4. Mike Catapano


DeVito has looked noticeably quicker in training camp. He could give the defense an additional jolt in sub packages. Bailey is clearly stronger and had some solid bull rushers. Howard has been a pleasant surprise at end, dominating at times at the line of scrimmage. Catapano, stronger this year, has missed a week of camp with a flu virus.


Nose Tackle (2)

1. Dontari Poe
2. Vance Walker


Walker provides versatility along the defensive line. He is capable of playing all three positions and sub packages.


Outside Linebacker (5)

1. Justin Houston
2. Tamba Hali
3. Dee Ford
4. Josh Martin
5. Frank Zombo


Houston showed up to camp in great shape and looked even stronger this season. Ford has a quick first step but it's going to take time. He has to learn some counter moves and how to disengage from blocks in run support. Martin spent the offseason training with Hali and it has showed. The Columbia alumnus has showed a quick burst off the edge. Zombo, who started five games last year, gives the Chiefs serviceable depth and a solid special team performer.


Inside Linebacker (4)

1. Derrick Johnson
2. Joe Mays
3. James Michael-Johnson
4. Josh Mauga


The surprise on this list is likely Mauga. Nico Johnson continues to get buried on the depth chart. The Chiefs keep finding competition to put in front of him. Johnson struggles in pass coverage and will need to make an impact in the preseason games or he will find himself on the waiver wire.


Cornerback (5)

1. Marcus Cooper
2. Ron Parker
3. Sean Smith
4. Chris Owens
5. Phillip Gaines


Cooper has become the No. 1 corner on this roster. Parker has maintained control of the second spot since taking it over this offseason from Sean Smith, who has had a rocky offseason. Owens gives the Chiefs a starting nickel corner who brings an attitude and has made his presence felt. Gaines is going to take time in adjusting the NFL wide receivers.


Free Safety (2)

1. Husain Abdullah
2. Malcolm Bronson


Bronson has forced his way onto this roster. He gives you versatility as a nickel corner, safety and / or special teams contributor.


Strong Safety (3)

1. Eric Berry
2. Jerron McMillian
3. Daniel Sorenson


McMillian has been in good position during camp. Sorenson has been forcing his way onto the roster with his pass breakups and interceptions in camp lately. He also can be a good special teams contributor.


Specialists (3)

1. Dustin Colquitt
2. Cairo Santos
3. Thomas Gafford


Santos has shown a strong leg in camp and Ryan Succop knows the pressure is there.


Injured Reserve

1. Sanders Commings

Commings has had an unlucky stint in Kansas City. The fracture makes his fourth injury in the past year.


Practice Squad

1. Mark Harrison
2. Dominque Hamilton
3. Vernon Kearney
4. Charcandrick West
5. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
6. Darryl Surgent
7. Jordan Campbell
8. DeMarcus Van Dyke


These are eight players capable of making the roster but need time to develop.

Harrison has promise at the receiver position but a hamstring injury has put him on the back burner.
Hamilton has strength and a solid bull rush on the defensive line.
Kearney could potentially make the roster if there is an injury.
West is a speedy back that needs time to develop but could push for a spot next season.
Duvernay-Tardif has a great deal of technique work ahead of him. His base is off balance and his hands don't come up quick enough on his punch.
Surgent has been consistent in camp. He just isn't getting the same amount of opportunities that Wilson and Hammond have.
Campbell is an intriguing project but needs time to adjust to the new position.
Van Dyke allows the organization to have an additional corner to develop.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by SNR

Cyrus Gray has enough of an intact body to suck, at least.

**** Joe McKnight.

He was part of the reason we lost the Colts game.

McKnight can play special teams.

[Halfcan]

So he is predicting we start the season with a rookie kicker and rookie back up QB's to start the season...oh and the youngest O line in the NFL?

Bold predictions since they have not played a down yet.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Hog

He was part of the reason we lost the Colts game.

McKnight can play special teams.

No, McKnight can't play special teams.

He can sit in a wheelchair with a feeding tube down his throat. He's never able-bodied.

That's like saying our backup QBs suck. Bring in Brodie Croyle.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Heres what I dont get about the "shitty receivers" line... how can they be that shitty when this offense put up 35 ppg the last seven games?

Sure, Charles alleviates some of that pressure.

But that doesnt account for all those points, this unheralded group is better than advertised... am I saying we're fine, lets stand pat? Hell NO, I wanted something done here - hello Brandin Cooks - but lets not pretend this current group didnt help get us those 35+.

Throw in some growth from a guy like Jenkins or Hemingway, or a big step from a Hammond or Wilson and things dont seem so bad... everyone knows what Reid has done with no name receivers, with him, big names like TO might help, but they arent a requirement.

Back when we had the most hellacious offense on wheels, our top wide receivers were Eddie Kennison and Johnny Morton. Sometimes I think receivers are overrated. Granted, the game has changed, but winning teams are often those that go against the grain of what everyone else is doing. Since everyone else is throwing the ball, maybe the Chiefs should run it this year.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Hog

He was part of the reason we lost the Colts game.

McKnight can play special teams.

You're full of shit. Cyrus Gray did nothing in that game to hinder the Chiefs.

AND GUESS WHAT, CYRUS GRAY PLAYS SPECIAL TEAMS.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

There were talks that Berry was spending a good amount of time as the deep safety.

We can only hope.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Heres what I dont get about the "shitty receivers" line... how can they be that shitty when this offense put up 35 ppg the last seven games?

we don't have a single receiver that puts fear into a defense. Bowe used to, maybe he still can ... but most of last year he didn't. Avery was our #1 wr for most of the year. Let that sink in for awhile.

Charles is the only skill guy on our offense that would start for most other teams.

Sum is greater than the parts.

Which is fine, but at some point we are going to need some pass catchers that can dictate the flow of the game.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Back when we had the most hellacious offense on wheels, our top wide receivers were Eddie Kennison and Johnny Morton. Sometimes I think receivers are overrated.

Exactly, Vermeil never had a true scary ass #1 here... Kennison was very solid, but never struck me as a "keeps defensive coordinators awake at nights" guy.

He just knew how to use what he had, like Reid.

Laz, I get it, theres precious little flash and flair on this group right now... but I suppose I'll simply admit to trusting that Reid knows what he's doing with this offense... worst to first record, career year from a WCO noob QB etc.

[Mr. Laz]

I don't get the whole Joe McKnight thing.

If we are going young, then just do it.

The special teams/gadget RB position seems like the ideal place to bring in young athletes.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

I don't get the whole Joe McKnight thing.

If we are going young, then just do it.

The special teams/gadget RB position seems like the ideal place to bring in young athletes.

McKnight would offer nothing to this team considering he's a punt returner (that would never get an opportunity to return a punt) who couldn't play the up man position during punt block protection like Gray does, and McKnight is always hurt. Gray is also 24. McKnight is 26. There's nothing left to say

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Exactly, Vermeil never had a true scary ass #1 here... Kennison was very solid, but never struck me as a "keeps defensive coordinators awake at nights" guy.

He just knew how to use what he had, like Reid.

Laz, I get it, theres precious little flash and flair on this group right now... but I suppose I'll simply admit to trusting that Reid knows what he's doing with this offense... worst to first record, career year from a WCO noob QB etc.

no doubt ... Reid was the reason the offense worked. Now we need to find receivers that can make Reid's offense run better. Receivers that force a defense to play the entire field and not cheat.

Imagine Charles in an offense where the defense had to keep both safeties 15 yards deep because they couldn't cover our WRs 1-on-1.

[Eleazar]

I agree with others here, the secondary looks to be a huge problem.

I can't think of anything less appetizing than watching this secondary get roasted all season long

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Cochise

I agree with others here, the secondary looks to be a huge problem.

I can't think of anything less appetizing than watching this secondary get roasted all season long

Well, let's see how Ron Parker looks tonight. He played well last year in his spot duty. Let's see if Cooper can be a playmaker with those WR hands.

Chris Owens to me, isn't anything more than what Javier Arenas was defensively.

The safeties are fine though. Abdullah is a solid upgrade over Kendra Lewis.

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

Well, let's see how Ron Parker looks tonight. He played well last year in his spot duty. Let's see if Cooper can be a playmaker with those WR hands.

Chris Owens to me, isn't anything more than what Javier Arenas was defensively.

The safeties are fine though. Abdullah is a solid upgrade over Kendra Lewis.

I hope you are right, but we're counting on all these guys to take a pretty significant step forward this year.

I think Berry is going to be fine if he's used according to his strengths. Abdullah is definitely an upgrade and he's a good guy to have on your roster, but I don't really think he's a starter in the NFL on a good defense.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

Well, let's see how Ron Parker looks tonight. He played well last year in his spot duty. Let's see if Cooper can be a playmaker with those WR hands.

Chris Owens to me, isn't anything more than what Javier Arenas was defensively.

The safeties are fine though. Abdullah is a solid upgrade over Kendra Lewis.

We're not going to learn anything about Ron Parker tonight.