A Levelheaded Review '23 Preseason Game 3

[DenverChief]

1. QB's - Buechele - Okay I'll admit, I really really really wanted Buechele to step up and and steal the backup job. Today he just looked outmatched against the first string Browns defense - some of that makes me wonder if it was working with the #2 OL. The second pick was all on Powell, ball hit him in the hands - gotta catch that. But it is clear to me that Gabbert is the #2 and we are carrying 3 QB's. Oladokun has a chance to develop into a really good QB - keeping that play alive was a thing of beauty, hopefully we can sneak him onto the PS.

2. Rice dropping that wide open catch was frustrating but get it out of your system ion the pre-season. Hopefully the more opportunities he gets he more comfortable he gets.

3. Smith-Marsette is going to catch on with another team and I'm really happy for him - wish we could keep him but the WR room is so incredibly talented and crowded. Maybe if Toney starts the season on IR we can sneak him in as the #7 behind Ross.

4. RB's - CEH just seems blah I'm not sure he even makes this roster & McKinnon is just $ every time. Pacheco looked like he had a 5 yard loss and his hard running got it back to the LOS. It's so stark to see the difference between CEH running vs Pacheco. Perine just looks better than Prince and really bounced that 30 yard run perfectly, the 20 yard catch and run TD was a thing of beauty. Prince looks great against backups - he needs more time to develop.

5. Powell - not only has a pass bounce off his hands for an INT but then a holding penalty on a kickoff, I don't know if we will pick him back up for the practice squad.

6. Bushman - gotta catch those kinda passes - that was awful and turning it over for a Pick 6 is even worse. Nice way to make up for the Pick 6 - not sure he makes the 53 even with his performance.

7. Looked like Kinnard got a lot of snaps, only saw a couple of bad plays from him.

8. Ross making the plays we all expect him to - he is our #7 and it's crazy that someone with that much talent is our #7.



My final 53 based upon pre-season and including todays performance

(3) QB Mahomes, Gabbert, Buechele
(3) RB Pacheco, McKinnon, Perine
(7) WR ***Toney, MVS, Moore, James, Watson, Rice, Ross (***Smith-Marsette)
(3) TE Kelce, Gray, Bushman
(9) OL Smith, Thuney, Humphrey, Smith, Taylor - Allegretti, Morris, Kinnard, PTW

(25)

(5) S Reid, Cook, Bush, Edwards, Connor
(5) CB Sneed, McDuffie, Watson, Williams, Jones** (**Boye-Doe/Hailasse)
(5) LB Gay, Bolton, Tranquill, Cochrane, Chanel
(5) DE Karlaftis, FAU, Danna, Herring, Kaindoh* (*Omenihu)
(5) DT Jones#, Nandi, Shelton, Coburn, Wharton

(25)

*Until Omenihu comes back from suspension
** If Jones starts the season on IR
*** If Toney starts the season on IR
# Traded?


Surprise Cuts:
CEH
Niang

[T-post Tom]

Very disappointed in Chris Jones’ lack of effort during this game.

[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

Very disappointed in Chris Jones’ lack of effort during this game.

The defense clearly needs him

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I like him as a Y or backup Z.

He's a pretty conventional receiver, for lack of a better way of putting it. I don't see anything truly standout or any niche strength - just a solid, well-rounded player.

Edit: I'm gonna say poor man's Maclin.

He's not as fast as Maclin, as he ran a 4.43 or something like that, but I get your point.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Once Smith-Marsette learns the nuances of the playbook, he'll be even better. I'd trade Watson for a 6th and move on.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

He's not as fast as Maclin, as he ran a 4.43 or something like that, but I get your point.

Maclin ran a 4.45 at the combine and Marsette was evidently a 4.43.

Maclin was more smooth than he was lightning fast. Maclin played way faster than he timed because he didn't lose any speed when he cut.

The profiles aren't terribly dissimilar.

[Palangi]

Trade Buechele and Watson to Washington for DT John Ridgeway and a 4th round pick

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

Very disappointed in Chris Jones’ lack of effort during this game.

He showed more burst than MEHHHHH.

[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

He showed more burst than MEHHHHH.

Seriously has he just quit or what? Doesn't seem like he is really interested in putting forth effort.

[Bl00dyBizkitz]

Originally Posted by MAHOMO 4 LIFE!

#Chiefs WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette with the quote of the day.@jessenewell: "Who do you think you are?"

"One of the baddest mfs in the league." pic.twitter.com/Y22QSbSynC

— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) August 26, 2023

If we keep him, he's my Adopt-a-Chief.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Maclin ran a 4.45 at the combine and Marsette was evidently a 4.43.

Maclin was more smooth than he was lightning fast. Maclin played way faster than he timed because he didn't lose any speed when he cut.

The profiles aren't terribly dissimilar.

Wow, didn't realize that. Always thought he was more of a burner while at Mizzou, but clearly my memory is incorrect.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by DenverChief

Seriously has he just quit or what? Doesn't seem like he is really interested in putting forth effort.

Seems like he knows his fate with the Chiefs.

[KobesPilot]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Seems like he knows his fate with the Chiefs.

Well you'd think he would be training if that was the case. It's Veach who's preventing the deal from going through, Jones is prob butthurt because he knows he is going to be tagged for a year and then traded the next, with all the talent currently pouring into the defensive line, why invest so much in a older guy when you can just secure someone just as good in the near future on a 4 year rookie contract.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Smith Marsette played his way onto SOMEONE'S 53.

I'd love for it to be ours and I see no reason why we should keep Watson over him. But it sure seems like that's what they'll do.

May be able to get him traded for a 6th or something. He's an NFL player.

I mean size would be the reason to keep Watson over ISM. But Reid has never been afraid of small guys.

Watson took a helmet to the hip. I hope Watson gets “IR” for a few weeks to give ISM a shot on the 53. Won’t happen but that’s what I hope.

[booger]

QB-3
Mahomes Buechelle Gabbert
Possible PS-Oladokun

I'd personally keep 2 and hope to add Oladokun to the PS. But I think they go with 3. Buechelle has trade potential. Most likely only a 6-7 or possibly a bubble player they like at a different position. What makes him attractive if you see him as your #2 is he isn't eligible for unrestricted FA for a couple years.

RB-3
Pacheco McKinnon Perine
Probable PS-Prince
CEH might get you a 7 if it wasn't for his contract. I don't see anyone wanting to pay him anything more than an incentive type deal. Hoping they move on.
Ideally 4 is the number here but Prince doesn't deserve the 53 right now. I can see them working out available backs here both as a potential upgrade at #3 and potential PS types.

TE-3

Kelce Gray Bell
Bell's contract allows him to be a procedural cut and not hurt the cap when they look to put at least 1 player on IR. So I can see them just going 2 here for a day and then Bringing Bell back. I would probably roll with Bushman but he's not the blocker Bell is. I see Bell as last year's Shelton or Reiter, a vet type that's nice to have on the PS.

Potential PS-Bushman. He is a good enough receiver that he could be a potential claim if cut. It just wouldn't surprise me either way with him. Blanton I think they only reason they would bring him back is because he knows the offense and his stay would most likely be temporary. His drops are just awful.
Izaiah Gathings kind of has a Fortson build in the hybrid TE/WR mold but again I think they might look around for another PS TE to develop

WR-7
MVS Toney Moore James Rice Ross Watson
Ihmir Smith-Marsette I think any other year he's in. But unless they cut Watson or their is a potential trade with one of the others, he won't make it. Toney going on IR is 50/50 to me. If they see him practicing next week then obviously they won't IR him. Remigio will be a nice redshirt IR stash and potentially be next year's Ross is what makes plenty of sense if his injury is serious enough. Sometimes they have an injury situation like that and they just try to waive the player w/o the injury designation and promise a spot on the PS. If they pay out a injury settlement they can't bring a guy back until after week 10 I believe.
PS possibility-Juwan Green who they recently brought in I think is almost a shoe in as a returner they could activate if needed. Fryfogle or Ty Scott maybe. Powell i think the best thing he has going is physicality as a special teamer. Inconsistant on O I could see him wanting to try his luck elsewhere. With 7 on the active I don't see them needing only 2 maybe 3 on the PS to start with anyway.

OL-9
D. Smith Thuney Humphrey T. Smith Taylor
PTW, Allegretti, Kinnard, Morris
Kind of a toss up with PTW and Niang. I think either could potentially bring a pick but the type that's conditional and only a 6-7. Allegretti's shoulder could come into play here if he's someone they are considering a 4 week minimum IR stay. Reiter played LG and got his ass kicked all day today. Pretty much the same at C. He's the same as last year IMO, a C only and if they want him on the PS it's nice insurance. Otherwise Thuney can play C if Allegretti is only a game or two.

PS potential-Reiter as mentioned. Calliendo I think is worth another year trying to develop. He needs to get stronger. C/G Jerome Carvin is one of those guys they just didn't play much and that's on purpose as they really like him and would normally consider him for the 53 if they weren't so deep. As an UDFA they guaranteed $104,166 to him so they definately want him to stick around. Jason Godrick is the 17th PS member because he's an International player and they get to carry one extra on the PS if they fit that criteria. He looked decent at RT obviously in mop up time. So he will help out as an OT on the scout team

So 3,3,3,7,9 is 25 on offense and the 3 ST of Butker Townsend Winchester 25 O, 25D 3 St

CB-6
Sneed McDuffie Williams Watson N. Jones Hailasse
I would IR Jones here and cut safety Deon Bush for a day. His salary doesn't hurt the cap that much and like Bell i don't see why he wouldn't go along with it. He had no visits this offseason in FA. Just smart to keep Jones stashed away as long as you need to and a way to further your depth at CB. Call him up when you need him.

PS-Bootle but I could easily see them moving on from him as well. Reese is a Nickle type that they also payed guaranteed money as an UDFA so he is probable here as well. Duron Lowe a recent add at CB is also a returner so he could hang around as insurance there. Boye-Doe is maybe in the mix with Hailasse IMO so he would be close to a lock on the PS one would think. All it takes is a couple of teams with shit depth at CB and potenially you get a late pick for one of these guys so that's worth mentioning. Lamar Jackson on the PS makes plenty of sense as well. That's literally all the CB's you could make a case to bring back for one reason or another for the PS.

S-4
Reid Cook Edwards Conner
Again Deon Bush comes back in one day once Nic Jones moves to IR is my guess. Then it's 5 each at CB and S
PS-Anthony Cook was brought in for his special teams play in college so he makes plenty of sense for a call up to the 53 with the standard elevation. Norman as well. Otherwise that's another spot they may churn through a few guys with workouts looking for an upgrade for the PS

LB-5
Bolton Gay Tranquill Chenal Cochrane
no explanation needed. Cochrane is ready to play snaps on D if needed and is a core special teamer.
PS-I think they new Christensen was playing well enough on D to get claimed because he's a proven special teams player as well with the Chargers. So they brought in Fatukasi with that in mind. He's got 33" plus in arm length so that's always a plus. Well above average for an off ball LB. Hopefully he is healthy for a PS spot. Same with Christensen health wise. Another guy it wouldn't surprise to see a conditional 7th for a team in need of ST help. And Cam Jones as well. He's got a future somewhere but with Cochrane improving his game in year 2 he wasn't getting beat out. Isaiah Moore got waived off of IR with a settlement but he can still be added to the PS if healthy. Might not be eligible to be called up right away but somewhere down the line they could bring him back.

DL-10
George Felix Danna Herring Thompson
Nnadi Wharton Coburn Shelton Wise
Did not report list(who the **** knows but best guess right now)
6 game suspension-Omenihu

This is a rough spot obviously with Jones' situation. If he does report I'm assuming the smart move is still not to play week one because he won't be ready so if he does report i think they would request an exemption for at least week 1. Good to see Wharton out there with his recent knee swelling. Hopefully that's under control. Nnadi will play 3tech on run downs out of necessity. Normally they wouldn't carry all 3 NT's on the 53 but they have no choice in this situation.

It doesn't get mentioned often but Danna has had numerous calf issues that he has missed time with. Not surprising for a guy who is 257 and plays so much inside on passing downs. That's just as concerning as Wharton and his knee swelling IMO. Herring i'm not sure he is quite ready yet but he does play both inside and out. I don't see him rotating a 3tech on run downs. He just couldn't hold up there IMO. Otherwise you could toy with keeping 4Dts and 6 at DE. And he still needs to improve as a pass rusher. He's someone they need to be a rotational player and just be solid. We shall see. Kaindoh I have never seen them move him down inside. He's sure never in a hurry to prove himself. Good game today but was unblocked and playing against 3s and 4s. You can tell he's bigger than he's listed. 6-7 and probably closer to 270 rather than 260. Would have been nice to see him play 3tech just to see if he could hold up. There just doesn't seem to be a high football IQ there. Unless he has shown a bunch of improvement in the offseason other than the ps games which is really all most of us see. I really like the potential of Truman Jones and think like Jerome Carvin they just didn't want to play him many snaps to have film out there on him. Paid him a substantial amount as a UDFA as well. Nice 34" range and another one who has played special teams in college even though its just Harvard. Blocked a couple kicks there. Looked good making tackles on kickoffs in the preseason. Thompson can help right away on ST as well but this first 6 games I hope they don't count on him being part of a regular rotation. he's not ready for that. Under the circumstances they could try to slide him through waivers and give Kaindoh the nod. Wise actually plays better at DE and is in the same mold as Herring just less athletic when he kicks outside to DE. Not quite solid but Wise is my best guess as to the player who they go with until Jones is ready. ****in A right they're going to be looking at upgrades, waivers, trades,etc on the DL. Plenty of youth and inexperience at DL. Similar to the young CB trio and Cook at S last year. But DL is tougher to rely on a handful of young bucks to step up like last years DBs. You just don't see it often but they have the right coach and hopefully they show progress.

PS-I hope Truman Jones like i've said. He's gonna be big enough to slide down inside like Spags likes. Thompson if he gets cut and clears waivers would be a shoe in here. Kaindoh being brought back is possible. But damn he could really use a change of scenery as well. Hoskins is huge and again he's 34" plus in arm length. Chris Williams is just a little less around 33". But both those guys have been around a couple years and still have some development potential for the PS. Just not soon enough to contribute with KC which sucks because we need it.

Cap wise I've read here on CP that Mahomes Kelce and Justin Reid all have contract restructures ready to open up space. Not only for potenial cuts like CEH but look at over the cap or one of the cap sites and the UDFA's have guaranteed money that's going to add up to all of them who get released and don't make the team which is most. For each one of them that is dead money on the cap. Not much per player but there's quite a few and that will add up to a chunk by itself.

[DenverChief]

Originally Posted by booger

QB-3
Mahomes Buechelle Gabbert
Possible PS-Oladokun

I'd personally keep 2 and hope to add Oladokun to the PS. But I think they go with 3. Buechelle has trade potential. Most likely only a 6-7 or possibly a bubble player they like at a different position. What makes him attractive if you see him as your #2 is he isn't eligible for unrestricted FA for a couple years.

RB-3
Pacheco McKinnon Perine
Probable PS-Prince
CEH might get you a 7 if it wasn't for his contract. I don't see anyone wanting to pay him anything more than an incentive type deal. Hoping they move on.
Ideally 4 is the number here but Prince doesn't deserve the 53 right now. I can see them working out available backs here both as a potential upgrade at #3 and potential PS types.

TE-3

Kelce Gray Bell
Bell's contract allows him to be a procedural cut and not hurt the cap when they look to put at least 1 player on IR. So I can see them just going 2 here for a day and then Bringing Bell back. I would probably roll with Bushman but he's not the blocker Bell is. I see Bell as last year's Shelton or Reiter, a vet type that's nice to have on the PS.

Potential PS-Bushman. He is a good enough receiver that he could be a potential claim if cut. It just wouldn't surprise me either way with him. Blanton I think they only reason they would bring him back is because he knows the offense and his stay would most likely be temporary. His drops are just awful.
Izaiah Gathings kind of has a Fortson build in the hybrid TE/WR mold but again I think they might look around for another PS TE to develop

WR-7
MVS Toney Moore James Rice Ross Watson
Ihmir Smith-Marsette I think any other year he's in. But unless they cut Watson or their is a potential trade with one of the others, he won't make it. Toney going on IR is 50/50 to me. If they see him practicing next week then obviously they won't IR him. Remigio will be a nice redshirt IR stash and potentially be next year's Ross is what makes plenty of sense if his injury is serious enough. Sometimes they have an injury situation like that and they just try to waive the player w/o the injury designation and promise a spot on the PS. If they pay out a injury settlement they can't bring a guy back until after week 10 I believe.
PS possibility-Juwan Green who they recently brought in I think is almost a shoe in as a returner they could activate if needed. Fryfogle or Ty Scott maybe. Powell i think the best thing he has going is physicality as a special teamer. Inconsistant on O I could see him wanting to try his luck elsewhere. With 7 on the active I don't see them needing only 2 maybe 3 on the PS to start with anyway.

OL-9
D. Smith Thuney Humphrey T. Smith Taylor
PTW, Allegretti, Kinnard, Morris
Kind of a toss up with PTW and Niang. I think either could potentially bring a pick but the type that's conditional and only a 6-7. Allegretti's shoulder could come into play here if he's someone they are considering a 4 week minimum IR stay. Reiter played LG and got his ass kicked all day today. Pretty much the same at C. He's the same as last year IMO, a C only and if they want him on the PS it's nice insurance. Otherwise Thuney can play C if Allegretti is only a game or two.

PS potential-Reiter as mentioned. Calliendo I think is worth another year trying to develop. He needs to get stronger. C/G Jerome Carvin is one of those guys they just didn't play much and that's on purpose as they really like him and would normally consider him for the 53 if they weren't so deep. As an UDFA they guaranteed $104,166 to him so they definately want him to stick around. Jason Godrick is the 17th PS member because he's an International player and they get to carry one extra on the PS if they fit that criteria. He looked decent at RT obviously in mop up time. So he will help out as an OT on the scout team

So 3,3,3,7,9 is 25 on offense and the 3 ST of Butker Townsend Winchester 25 O, 25D 3 St

CB-6
Sneed McDuffie Williams Watson N. Jones Hailasse
I would IR Jones here and cut safety Deon Bush for a day. His salary doesn't hurt the cap that much and like Bell i don't see why he wouldn't go along with it. He had no visits this offseason in FA. Just smart to keep Jones stashed away as long as you need to and a way to further your depth at CB. Call him up when you need him.

PS-Bootle but I could easily see them moving on from him as well. Reese is a Nickle type that they also payed guaranteed money as an UDFA so he is probable here as well. Duron Lowe a recent add at CB is also a returner so he could hang around as insurance there. Boye-Doe is maybe in the mix with Hailasse IMO so he would be close to a lock on the PS one would think. All it takes is a couple of teams with shit depth at CB and potenially you get a late pick for one of these guys so that's worth mentioning. Lamar Jackson on the PS makes plenty of sense as well. That's literally all the CB's you could make a case to bring back for one reason or another for the PS.

S-4
Reid Cook Edwards Conner
Again Deon Bush comes back in one day once Nic Jones moves to IR is my guess. Then it's 5 each at CB and S
PS-Anthony Cook was brought in for his special teams play in college so he makes plenty of sense for a call up to the 53 with the standard elevation. Norman as well. Otherwise that's another spot they may churn through a few guys with workouts looking for an upgrade for the PS

LB-5
Bolton Gay Tranquill Chenal Cochrane
no explanation needed. Cochrane is ready to play snaps on D if needed and is a core special teamer.
PS-I think they new Christensen was playing well enough on D to get claimed because he's a proven special teams player as well with the Chargers. So they brought in Fatukasi with that in mind. He's got 33" plus in arm length so that's always a plus. Well above average for an off ball LB. Hopefully he is healthy for a PS spot. Same with Christensen health wise. Another guy it wouldn't surprise to see a conditional 7th for a team in need of ST help. And Cam Jones as well. He's got a future somewhere but with Cochrane improving his game in year 2 he wasn't getting beat out. Isaiah Moore got waived off of IR with a settlement but he can still be added to the PS if healthy. Might not be eligible to be called up right away but somewhere down the line they could bring him back.

DL-10
George Felix Danna Herring Thompson
Nnadi Wharton Coburn Shelton Wise
Did not report list(who the **** knows but best guess right now)
6 game suspension-Omenihu

This is a rough spot obviously with Jones' situation. If he does report I'm assuming the smart move is still not to play week one because he won't be ready so if he does report i think they would request an exemption for at least week 1. Good to see Wharton out there with his recent knee swelling. Hopefully that's under control. Nnadi will play 3tech on run downs out of necessity. Normally they wouldn't carry all 3 NT's on the 53 but they have no choice in this situation.

It doesn't get mentioned often but Danna has had numerous calf issues that he has missed time with. Not surprising for a guy who is 257 and plays so much inside on passing downs. That's just as concerning as Wharton and his knee swelling IMO. Herring i'm not sure he is quite ready yet but he does play both inside and out. I don't see him rotating a 3tech on run downs. He just couldn't hold up there IMO. Otherwise you could toy with keeping 4Dts and 6 at DE. And he still needs to improve as a pass rusher. He's someone they need to be a rotational player and just be solid. We shall see. Kaindoh I have never seen them move him down inside. He's sure never in a hurry to prove himself. Good game today but was unblocked and playing against 3s and 4s. You can tell he's bigger than he's listed. 6-7 and probably closer to 270 rather than 260. Would have been nice to see him play 3tech just to see if he could hold up. There just doesn't seem to be a high football IQ there. Unless he has shown a bunch of improvement in the offseason other than the ps games which is really all most of us see. I really like the potential of Truman Jones and think like Jerome Carvin they just didn't want to play him many snaps to have film out there on him. Paid him a substantial amount as a UDFA as well. Nice 34" range and another one who has played special teams in college even though its just Harvard. Blocked a couple kicks there. Looked good making tackles on kickoffs in the preseason. Thompson can help right away on ST as well but this first 6 games I hope they don't count on him being part of a regular rotation. he's not ready for that. Under the circumstances they could try to slide him through waivers and give Kaindoh the nod. Wise actually plays better at DE and is in the same mold as Herring just less athletic when he kicks outside to DE. Not quite solid but Wise is my best guess as to the player who they go with until Jones is ready. ****in A right they're going to be looking at upgrades, waivers, trades,etc on the DL. Plenty of youth and inexperience at DL. Similar to the young CB trio and Cook at S last year. But DL is tougher to rely on a handful of young bucks to step up like last years DBs. You just don't see it often but they have the right coach and hopefully they show progress.

PS-I hope Truman Jones like i've said. He's gonna be big enough to slide down inside like Spags likes. Thompson if he gets cut and clears waivers would be a shoe in here. Kaindoh being brought back is possible. But damn he could really use a change of scenery as well. Hoskins is huge and again he's 34" plus in arm length. Chris Williams is just a little less around 33". But both those guys have been around a couple years and still have some development potential for the PS. Just not soon enough to contribute with KC which sucks because we need it.

Cap wise I've read here on CP that Mahomes Kelce and Justin Reid all have contract restructures ready to open up space. Not only for potenial cuts like CEH but look at over the cap or one of the cap sites and the UDFA's have guaranteed money that's going to add up to all of them who get released and don't make the team which is most. For each one of them that is dead money on the cap. Not much per player but there's quite a few and that will add up to a chunk by itself.

Excellent write up!