After this week, the Kansas City Chiefs won't be together on the field again until training camp begins in late July in St. Joseph, Missouri.
The current roster is likely the roster that the Chiefs plan to head into the season with (minus some cutdowns, of course). Therefore, it is an excellent time to explore the roster composition and look at the strengths and weaknesses of Kansas City, ranking it by position group. Let's take a look at some of the weakest and strongest groups general manager Brett Veach has assembled ahead of the 2023 season.
11. Wide Receivers
While the potential of the wide receiver group is promising, there isn't a stable presence currently, which elevates the floor of this position group. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the most experienced player in the room, and he occasionally struggles with drops and consistency. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore taking steps forward could help this group climb to a higher ranking by the end of the season but right now, there are more questions than answers.
10. Safeties
Justin Reid's first season in Kansas City had a rough start, but it ended very strong with him playing some of the best football of his career. He'll be one of the starters in the defensive backfield, pairing with second-year man Bryan Cook. The Cincinnati product has to prove his ability as a starting safety, as he played in the third safety role last year. Behind those two are young special teamers who must prove themselves on the defensive side throughout the season.
9. Running Backs
It almost feels wrong putting the running back position this low on the list based on the performance of Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon last year. They each helped elevate the offense, especially down the stretch of the season. However, McKinnon is on the wrong side of 30, needing to be managed physically, while Pacheco still needs to improve his skill set. The depth is also questionable, with the Chiefs hoping to hit on another rookie flier in Deneric Prince.
8. Offensive Tackles
Kansas City's two starting offensive tackles will be different than the ones who started for them last year. Jawaan Taylor was a significant addition in the offseason and is locked into one of the tackle spots on the offensive line. The Chiefs also added Donovan Smith and Wanya Morris in the offseason to help that room. However, Smith is coming off arguably the worst season of his career, and Morris is only a rookie. The lack of certainty is a concern for this position group.
7. Defensive Tackles
Chris Jones is carrying this ranking. He was clearly the best defensive tackle in the league last year and has been the centerpiece of the Chiefs' defense for years. After Jones, there is a concern in the room, preventing the unit from being ranked higher. Derrick Nnadi has declined over the last two years, Tershawn Wharton is coming off a torn ACL and Keondre Coburn, who many (including myself) like and have high hopes for, is a sixth-round rookie.
6. Defensive Ends
This is likely the best defensive end group the Chiefs have had in the Steve Spagnuolo era. George Karlaftis and Mike Danna will look to build off their 2022 campaigns. The offseason additions of Charles Omenihu and Felix Anudike-Uzomah provide explosiveness and speed that was lacking in the room. Then lottery tickets such as BJ Thompson and Truman Jones project to help round out a room with a solid floor but an extremely high ceiling that could peak during the postseason.
5. Linebackers
The Chiefs continuously invest in their linebacker room. This offseason, they added Drue Tranquill to give them a true coverage linebacker in the dime package. He should add an element to the defense the Chiefs haven't had in years. His skill set, on top of former Day Two draft picks Nick Bolton, Willie Gay and Leo Chenal, gives the Chiefs one of the best linebacker units in the league. Each fits a specific role, giving the defense incredible versatility in the front seven.
4. Tight Ends
Like the defensive tackle room, the tight end group is carried by the best in the league. Travis Kelce is still at the top of his game and one of the best players in the league. The depth behind Kelce is better than the depth behind Jones, though. Noah Gray continues to improve as a player heading into his third season as a pro. Jody Fortson and Blake Bell are what they are, but they provide a good red zone threat and blocker, respectively, for Andy Reid and the Chiefs' offense.
3. Cornerbacks
Brett Veach hit multiple home runs last year to improve the cornerback group. In the draft, the Chiefs added Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson who all played prominent roles in their rookie season. They all should take a step forward in their sophom*ore seasons. L'Jarius Sneed is one of the best defensive weapons in the league. He has the ability to line up anywhere on the field and wreak havoc on the opposing offense.
2. Interior Offensive Linemen
It's rare you get more than one All-Pro player in a position group, but that's the case on the interior offensive line for Kansas City. There is an argument that Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey are the best in the league at their respective positions. Trey Smith is the final piece of the interior, and while he hasn't made a Pro Bowl team, he has shown to be that caliber of player. The depth of Nick Allegretti is solid, as he would start for multiple other teams.
1. Quarterbacks
There is little to say here. The Chiefs have the very best quarterback in the league by a wide margin Patrick Mahomes. Last year he continued to grow as a player, helping him win his second MVP and Super Bowl MVP. Blaine Gabbert serves as a veteran backup who can help in the film room and is familiar with the league, previously backing up Tom Brady. The Chiefs have kept Shane Buechele around for a few years, showing their liking for him.
