The Kansas City Chiefs have released their first depth chart for the 90-man offseason roster ahead of preseason Week 1's tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It's important to note that these depth charts are considered "unofficial" even though they come directly from the team. But why is that the case? They're often informed by what has been seen during training camp practices at St. Joseph, Missouri, but things are hardly set in stone at this juncture.
A great example comes from Week 1 of the 2017 NFL preseason, Tyler Bray was listed ahead of Patrick Mahomes. You have to take these things with a grain of salt and know that they're constantly evolving in the eyes of the coaching staff and front office members. Even by Week 2, they could have some decisions made about the construction of the 53-man roster that completely goes against what you see on the opening depth chart.
Chiefs release first depth chart ahead of preseason Week 1
via Chiefs weekly release packet
Kadarius Toney is way in the doghouse
Early on in training camp, it felt a bit like a renaissance for Kadarius Toney. The team was finding unique ways to use him out of the backfieldand so on. However, he got hurt last week, which has been a familiar story for the former first-round draft pick. He's got all the talent in the world, but can't seem to stay healthy and stay on the field. He returned to the field over the past two practice sessions but has seldom worked with the top unit. Just the other day, he found himself catching passes from Chris Oladokun and Ian Book. This one might not be the most surprising, but had he not been hurt, it sure feels like it could've gone a different way.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is still ahead of Deneric Prince
Our look-ins at practice during the past seven days have indicated that Deneric Prince would be the No. 2 running back, getting the vast majority of the repetitions ahead of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. This doesn't exactly seem to be the case, at least not on the first depth chart. I wouldn't be shocked if it eventually does happen, given that Edwards-Helaire has proven to not be reliable (albeit for some very valid and personal reasons).
Nikko Remigio and Xavier Worthy are the team's top return specialists
Remigio shouldn't surprise anyone as the team's top kick return specialist. Dave Toub told us as much during Phase III of the offseason program. Xavier Worthy is a slight surprise as the top punt returner, just because he's not always been first up in that rotation. Mecole Hardman falls second in the depth chart behind Remigio on kicks and Worthy on punts, which is also a bit of a surprise. It makes me wonder if they might not try to keep Hardman in a veteran spot on the practice squad come the season.
Andy Reid can't quit the fullback
Irony: Carson Steele is listed as a fullback on the depth chart just a few days after Andy Reid said that Carson Steele is "really not a fullback." The looks we've seen in practice indicate that he can certainly be more than just a fullback. He can catch, he can block from several different spots, and he can carry the ball with the best of them. He just seems to excel at some of the things that fullbacks do well, like lead-blocking and short-yardage carries.
The "Fab Five" rule the cornerback depth chart
The 2022 NFL draft might go down as one of the best in franchise history. If the Chiefs' first depth chart holds, their top four cornerbacks during the 2024 NFL season will have all been selected in the 2022 NFL draft with picks ranging from the first through seventh rounds. This is surprising given how much rotation has been going on during training camp, and given that both Jaylen Watson and Nazeeh Johnson weren't healthy for the bulk of training camp. Chamarri Conner has been playing some nickel for the Chiefs. Guys like Kelvin Joseph and Keith Taylor have also rotated in with the starters at times.
Derrick Nnadi has some ground to make up
Derrick Nnadi just participated in his first practice session on Tuesday after being removed from the active/PUP list. He suffered a triceps injury in the playoffs last season and wound up on injured reserve. He's listed fourth on the depth chart in the DT1 position behind Tershawn Wharton, Mike Pennel, and Fabien Lovett. He's got some ground to make up as the preseason gets underway, otherwise, he'll be at risk come roster cuts.
