ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs began training camp on July 28 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. The Chiefs finished 2020 with their fifth straight AFC West championship and a 14-2 regular season record. They were denied a second straight world championship when they lost Super Bowl LV to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne
The Chiefs have mostly kept two quarterbacks on the active roster the past couple of seasons and it's worked out well for them, so there's no reason for them to change. During offseason practice Mahomes looked like he was already past his surgery to repair turf toe. The Chiefs also have developmental prospects in Shane Buechele and Anthony Gordon and will probably stash at least one on the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (4): Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams, Jerick McKinnon, Michael Burton
It might be risky for the Chiefs to keep only three primary backs plus a fullback because their featured back hasn't made it through a season without missing some games in years. But as long as Edwards-Helaire, Williams and McKinnon are healthy, there's no need for the Chiefs to also keep Darwin Thompson.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, Marcus Kemp, Cornell Powell
Hardman will be first in line to become the No. 2 receiver after Sammy Watkins departed through free agency. Whether it's Hardman, Pringle or Robinson, the Chiefs need someone to claim the job with a big training camp.
TIGHT END (3): Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Noah Gray
The Chiefs had gotten away from the multiple tight end formations they used frequently and successfully in Andy Reid's early years with the team in part because they haven't had much depth beyond Kelce. But Gray, a rookie, could be the best receiver they've had at the position other than Kelce in years, so all three of these players could see significant playing time.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Orlando Brown Jr., Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mike Remmers, Lucas Niang, Andrew Wylie, Trey Smith, Austin Blythe, Nick Allegretti
There's no need for the Chiefs to keep this number of linemen but it also makes no sense for them to release a good player or a solid developmental prospect. So after their offseason splurge I have the Chiefs going heavy here unless they manage a trade or two.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Jarran Reed, Frank Clark, Mike Danna, Josh Kaindoh, Taco Charlton, Tershawn Wharton, Alex Okafor
Jones, the Chiefs' leader in sacks in each of the past three seasons, could be moving from an interior position to the edge. With the addition of Reed and the return of Nnadi and Wharton, the Chiefs have some depth inside. A felony weapons possession charge against Clark adds some uncertainty to this position group.
LINEBACKER (6): Anthony Hitchens, Nick Bolton, Willie Gay, Ben Niemann, Dorian O'Daniel, Darius Harris
The Chiefs invested in these positions the past couple of years by drafting Gay in the second round in 2020 and Bolton in the second round this year. Now it's time for them to get the payout on those investments.
DEFENSIVE BACK (10): L'Jarius Sneed, Charvarius Ward, Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Rashad Fenton, BoPete Keyes, Mike Hughes, Daniel Sorensen, Will Parks, Devon Key
Some tough calls here because the Chiefs have so many young players they haven't had the chance to get an adequate look at yet. Hughes, a former first-round pick by the Vikings, also falls into that category. I haven't accounted for DeAndre Baker, who broke his leg in the final regular-season game last year. He will make the team if he's practicing when training camp begins.
SPECIALIST (3): Harrison Butker, Tommy Townsend, James Winchester
The Chiefs will have the same group as last season. Butker, the kicker, and Winchester, the long snapper, have been around much longer than that.