The Kansas City Chiefs open the 2024 NFL regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The most significant roster changes for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions happened at wide receiver, where the Chiefs added at the top of their depth chart. They signed Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round, though Brown dislocated his shoulder in the preseason and may not be available to play against the Ravens.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Chiefs:
QUARTERBACK (2): Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz.
Wentz is the latest veteran backup for Mahomes and brings more upside than any of the previous reserves. The Chiefs hope it doesn't get to that point.
RUNNING BACK (4): Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince, Carson Steele.
The depth chart is full of unknowns behind Pacheco. Edwards-Helaire missed a lot of training camp as he is dealing with PTSD, so the Chiefs might have to keep four backs. Neither Prince nor Steele, an undrafted rookie, has ever played in a regular-season NFL game.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman, Justyn Ross.
The Chiefs might want to keep an extra receiver until Brown is back in the lineup. If they do, it's likely they would release one when he is back.
TIGHT END (3): Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley.
Irv Smith could make the team as a fourth at this position. But it's difficult for the Chiefs to keep a fourth when they are heavy at wide receiver and running back, as they are in this scenario.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Kingsley Suamataia, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Wanya Morris, Lucas Niang, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad.
Suamataia, a second-round draft pick, looks to have won the starting spot at left tackle. Nourzad, a fifth-round draft pick, is the other addition to an otherwise veteran group.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Malik Herring, Mike Pennel Jr., Derrick Nnadi, Neil Farrell, Matt Dickerson
The Chiefs need to keep big numbers at these positions. Jones and Nnadi missed a lot of training camp because of injuries, though both should play against the Ravens.
LINEBACKER (5): Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones.
The Chiefs don't have as much depth as they had last season. Willie Gay, one of their regulars in 2023, left as a free agent for the Saints.
CORNERBACK (6): Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Chamarri Conner, Nazeeh Johnson, Kelvin Joseph.
McDuffie was an All-Pro last season and Watson and Williams have played plenty for the past two seasons. But the Chiefs were still searching for a comfortable playing rotation after trading L'Jarius Sneed.
SAFETY (4): Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Jaden Hicks, Deon Bush.
Reid missed most of camp with a quad injury, though he should be ready to play against the Ravens. The Chiefs still need the depth as the others will claim playing time.
SPECIALIST (3): Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester.
The Chiefs have a new punter in Araiza, who replaces Tommy Townsend. Butker, the kicker, and Winchester, the long-snapper, have been with the Chiefs for years.