The Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man roster took a hit when it lost Tyreek Hill, but they’ve added other weapons to an offense that already possessed one of the best offensive lines in the league. They also let Tyrann Mathieu walk in free agency. However, inserting Juan Thornhill into the lineup last season in place of Daniel Sorenson was a huge plus, and Justin Reid should be a fine replacement for Mathieu.
Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster projection
The Chiefs have the worst odds of any AFC divisional favorite, despite making it to the past four conference championships and still having arguably the most talented quarterback ever. Despite losing Hill in a trade to the Dolphins, the Chiefs receiving corps should be just fine this season.
Starters will be annotated with an asterisk.
Kansas City Chiefs offense (25)
Quarterback:
Patrick Mahomes*
Chad Henne
Running back:
Clyde Edwards-Helaire*
Jerick McKinnon
Isiah Pacheco
Fullbacks:
Mike Burton
Wide receiver:
JuJu Smith-Schuster*
Skyy Moore*
Marquez Valdes-Scantling*
Mecole Hardman
Daurice Fountain
Justin Watson
Tight end:
Travis Kelce*
Blake Bell
Noah Gray
Jody Fortson
Offensive tackle:
Orlando Brown Jr.*
Andrew Wylie*
Geron Christian
Darian Kinnard
Offensive guard:
Joe Thuney*
Trey Smith*
Nick Allegretti
Center:
Creed Humphrey*
Austin Reiter
Kansas City Chiefs defense (25)
Defensive end:
Frank Clark*
George Karlaftis*
Carlos Dunlap
Malik Herring
Mike Danna
Defensive tackle:
Chris Jones*
Derrick Nnadi*
Khalen Saunders
Tershawn Wharton
Danny Shelton
Inside linebacker:
Nick Bolton*
Willie Gay*
Leo Chenal
Jermaine Carter Jr.
Elijah Lee
Cornerback:
L’Jarius Sneed*
Trent McDuffie*
Rashad Fenton*
Joshua Williams
Jaylen Watson
Chris Lammons
Safety:
Justin Reid*
Juan Thornhill*
Bryan Cook
Deon Bush
Kansas City Chiefs specialists (3)
Harrison Butker (K)
Tommy Townsend (P)
James Winchester (LS)
PUP/IR
OT Lucas Niang
TE Blake Bell
CB Rashad Fenton
Skyy Moore was an outstanding selection in the second round of the NFL draft. And while many probably shrugged at JuJu Smith-Schuster’s signing after a few down seasons in Pittsburgh, he’s still a young player who couldn’t be properly maximized as the Steelers’ offensive line devolved and Big Ben’s arm fell off.
The offense will be fine. It’ll come down to Steve Spagnuolo’s creativity on defense to generate pressure without high-end edge rushers.