The Kansas City Chiefs are aiming for the NFL‘s first three-peat in 2024 despite some turnover from their Super Bowl 58-winning roster. Kansas City added seven players in the 2024 NFL Draft and has made some key additions in free agency as well in looking to bolster its core for another run at winning it all in this upcoming season.
The difficult part for the Chiefs and each of their fellow franchises will be narrowing the roster down to just 53 members.
Kansas City Chiefs 53-Man Roster Projection
Kansas City drafted seven players in its 2024 class, putting a particular emphasis on the offensive side of the ball in selecting three offensive lineman, a wide receiver, and a tight end. Those picks will look to provide superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes with additional support after some inconsistencies across the board in 2023 before the Super Bowl run.
Although it’s only May and much is still to be decided with teams’ rosters, it’s never too early to take a look at how the Chiefs’ roster might look come September.
Let’s start by projecting Kansas City’s 53-man roster on the offensive side of the ball:
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backups: Carson Wentz
The Chiefs have the luxury of not having to think twice about the quarterback position anytime soon with Mahomes locked in as the starter.
Behind him is where things could get interesting, as Blaine Gabbert is no longer with the team after serving as backup QB last year. Carson Wentz was signed to replace Gabbert in the offseason, and that could be it for Kansas City at the position after it rolled with just two active quarterbacks for much of 2023.
Running Back (3)
Starter: Isiah Pacheco
Backups: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince
Isiah Pacheco looks poised to remain the group’s bona fide starter in 2024 after making 24 starts for Kansas City over the last two seasons and taking 205 carries for 935 yards and seven touchdowns across 14 appearances in 2023.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire looks likely to stick around as a versatile backup option once again, while Deneric Prince could help fill out the room in place of the departed Jerick McKinnon.
The Chiefs might also look to go with four active running backs in 2024 after taking three in favor of an extra wide receiver last year, which could open up a spot for the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit, Keaontay Ingram, or Emani Bailey, among others.
Wide Receiver (7)
Starters: Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy
Backups: Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson, Justyn Ross
Kansas City looks likely to have at least one and potentially two new starting wide receivers in 2023 with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown signing in free agency and Xavier Worthy being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The pair will look to help bolster a room that was plagued by drops at times in 2023, while Rashee Rice’s status remains up in the air as he faces criminal charges and lawsuits stemming from his alleged role in a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas in late March.
Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Justin Watson look to be likely candidates to stick around after playing complementary roles in 2023, while Justyn Ross could be another candidate to crack the 53-man roster if the Chiefs again roll with an extra wide receiver.
Cornell Powell and Montrell Washington could also look to factor in at the position.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Travis Kelce
Backups: Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Irv Smith Jr.
Travis Kelce provides some more stability for Kansas City as the team’s dependable starting tight end and has shown no signs of slowing down just yet after racking up 93 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns last year.
Noah Gray looks poised to back Kelce up once again, while Jared Wiley joins the room after being selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft and will battle with Irv Smith Jr. for the third-string slot.
Offensive Line (10)
Starters: Wanya Morris, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor
Backups: Kingsley Suamataia, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, C.J. Hanson, Lucas Niang
The Chiefs have a good chunk of continuity up front with four of their five starters back in Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Jawaan Taylor.
The battle for the left tackle spot could be one to keep an eye on with 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris and 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia look poised to battle it out for the position, while Mike Caliendo and Lucas Niang provide some dependable depth after seeing sporadic action last year.
