KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs return a bulk of the roster that won Super Bowl LVII in February over the Philadelphia Eagles. Much of the roster change was concentrated in three areas: the offensive and defensive lines and wide receiver, where in two seasons the Chiefs have turned the position over completely after losing key players like Tyreek Hill, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is back after his second MVP season along with two of the Chiefs' other headliners, tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Here is a projection for the 53-player roster:
QUARTERBACK (3): Patrick Mahomes, Blaine Gabbert, Shane Buechele
The only change is that Gabbert replaces Chad Henne as the veteran backup to Mahomes. The Chiefs wanted a more experienced alternative as the backup besides Buechele, who has yet to play in an NFL game in two seasons.
RUNNING BACK (4): Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince
The picture is clouded by Pacheco's offseason surgery. He might not be ready to practice when training camp begins. Keep an eye on Prince, an undrafted rookie who played well during offseason practice. He could earn early-season playing time with a strong showing in camp.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, Richie James, Justyn Ross
Toney, Valdes-Scantling, Moore and Rice are the likely top four receivers. The Chiefs have good depth, which could make the decisions for the final roster spots interesting. Justin Watson, who caught 15 passes for the Chiefs last season, and John Ross, a former Cincinnati Bengals first-round draft pick, could easily stick after the final cuts with a good showing at training camp.
TIGHT END (4): Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jody Fortson, Blake Bell
The Chiefs have frequently used multiple-tight end personnel groupings, so look for them to retain the same four tight ends who were on the roster last season. Kelce turns 34 in October and hasn't missed many snaps over the years. It might be time for the Chiefs to back off a little bit in terms of his playing time, another reason for them to stay heavy at this position.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Donovan Smith, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Wanya Morris, Lucas Niang, Nick Allegretti
Eight isn't a lot of offensive linemen, but the Chiefs' best depth is at other positions. Smith and Taylor replace the departed Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie as the starting tackles. Morris, a third-round draft pick, could win the first backup tackle spot by playing well at camp. Niang and Allegretti provide experience off the bench.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Mike Danna, Keondre Coburn, Danny Shelton, BJ Thompson
The Chiefs lost two of their top edge rushers from last season in Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap, and replaced them with Omenihu, a free agent from the San Francisco 49ers, and Anudike-Uzomah, their first-round draft pick. Thompson is a fifth-round draft pick who has pass-rush skills, so look for him to make the team but not play much as a rookie while he develops.
LINEBACKER (6): Nick Bolton, Willie Gay, Leo Chenal, Drue Tranquill, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones
Bolton, Gay and Chenal are the regulars. Tranquil played against the Chiefs frequently as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Chiefs will look to get him involved, most likely on passing downs.
CORNERBACK (6): Trent McDuffie, L'Jarius Sneed, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, Nic Jones
This is still a young bunch, with McDuffie, Watson, Williams and Johnson headed into their second seasons and Jones being a rookie. But all except Johnson and Jones played a significant amount last season, so the group is experienced.
SAFETY (4): Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Mike Edwards, Chamarri Conner
Cook, a second-round draft pick last year, joins Reid in the starting lineup after the Chiefs lost Juan Thornhill in free agency. Edwards, a free agent addition, will take Cook's spot as the third safety. Connor is a fourth-round draft pick but could find a spot because of his coverage ability.
SPECIALISTS (3): Harrison Butker (K), Tommy Townsend (P), James Winchester (LS)
The Chiefs will go into a fourth straight season with the same kicker, punter and long-snapper. They brought in no offseason competition for any of them, showing the confidence they have in the three players.