With free agency and the draft completed and OTAs and minicamps scheduled for the next month and a half, here’s a closer look at the depth chart for the Kansas City Chiefs (starters in bold):
OFFENSE
Quarterback (4): Patrick Mahomes II, Chad Henne, Matt McGloin, Chase Litton
There’s much new here. Mahomes is heading into his first season as the starter while Henne and McGloin are beginning their first seasons with the Chiefs.
Running back (9): Kareem Hunt, Anthony Sherman, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Damien Williams, Kerwynn Williams, Akeem Hunt, Darrel Williams, J.D. Moore
Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing last season as a rookie and the Chiefs have plenty of experienced depth behind him.
Wide receiver (11): Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson, Jehu Chesson, De’Anthony Thomas, Marcus Kemp, Gehrig Dieter, Daniel Braverman, Brandon Shippen, Nelson Spruce, Byron Pringle, Elijah Marks
Hill and Watkins are plenty fast and provide Mahomes some inviting targets. Conley is a former starter and Robinson and Thomas have significant experience.
Tight end (5): Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris, Jace Amaro, Tim Wright, Blake Mack
The offense collapsed in the second half of the playoff game against the Titans last season after Kelce departed with an injury. The Chiefs have no receiving threat here without him, though Amaro and Wright have potential.
Tackle (7): Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz, Cam Erving, Dillon Gordon, Andrew Wylie, Devondre Seymour, Ryan Hunter
Fisher and Schwartz stayed injury-free last season. Erving is the only reserve with significant experience.
Guard (5): Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Parker Ehinger, Bryan Witzmann, Kahlil McKenzie, Kaleb Johnson
Ehinger and Witzmann are former starters competing for the starting spot vacated when Zach Fulton left as a free agent.
Center (3): Mitch Morse, Jordan Devey, Jimmy Murray
Morse missed much of last season with a foot injury but is on pace to return in time for the start of training camp.
DEFENSE
Cornerback (9): Kendall Fuller, Steven Nelson, David Amerson, Keith Reaser, Will Redmond, Tremon Smith, Ashton Lampkin, Makinton Dorleant, Prince Charles Iworah
Five of the top six cornerbacks from last season are gone, with only Nelson returning. So the competition for roster spots beyond Fuller, Nelson and Amerson will be interesting.
Safety (9): Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen, Eric Murray, Robert Golden, Armani Watts, Leon McQuay, Jordan Sterns, Arrion Springs, D'Montre Wade
Berry returns after missing most of last season with an injury. Sorensen and Murray played a lot in his absence, but neither nailed down the position, so there could be an opening for Golden or Watts, a fourth-round draft pick.
Linebacker (13): Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Anthony Hitchens, Reggie Ragland, Breeland Speaks, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Frank Zombo, Tyrone Holmes, Ukeme Eligwe, Terrance Smith, Dorian O'Daniel, Ben Niemann, Raymond Davison
The Chiefs moved on from two longtime stars, Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. They have high hopes that Hitchens can be the every-down replacement for Johnson on the inside.
Defensive line (10): Allen Bailey, Xavier Williams, Chris Jones, Jarvis Jenkins, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Derrick Nnadi, Justin Hamilton, Stefan Charles, T.Y. McGill, Dee Liner
Williams is a free-agent addition at nose tackle to replace the departed Bennie Logan. Nnadi, a third-round draft pick, could eventually nudge Williams from the starting spot.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter (1): Dustin Colquitt
The Chiefs re-signed their longtime punter, who shows no signs of decline.
Kicker (1): Harrison Butker
Butker was very good after the Chiefs pulled him off the Panthers' practice squad early in the season.
Long-snapper (1): James Winchester
The Chiefs haven’t imported competition for Winchester in some time, a sign of his reliability.
Kick returner (1): De'Anthony Thomas
Thomas will be first in line for the job if he makes the regular-season roster.
Punt returner (1): Tyreek Hill
Hill is one of the best in the business.