Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Breakdown: Every Position Group Explained Simply

Introduction

Hey there, Chiefs fans! Over the last two weeks, I made 11 trips up to St. Joseph, Missouri to watch the Kansas City Chiefs practice at Missouri Western State University. A fan named "saintschiefsfan" asked me to break down every position group by level of concern heading into the first preseason game.

So grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s walk through the entire roster together—from Patrick Mahomes all the way down to the practice squad candidates!

Quarterbacks

The Depth Chart

• Starter: Patrick Mahomes (The GOAT, no worries here)
• Backup Battle: Justin Fields vs. Garrett Nussmeier
• Practice Squad Candidate: Chris Oladokun

What I Saw

Simple Explanation: Think of this like a restaurant kitchen. Mahomes is the head chef. Fields and Nussmeier are fighting to be the sous chef. Oladokun is hoping to stick around as a prep cook.

• Justin Fields can make "wow" plays with both his arm and legs—perfect for preseason games where defenses are simpler.
• Garrett Nussmeier (rookie from LSU) looks like a real NFL prospect already. He’s been sharp in practice.
• The Big Question: Will the Chiefs keep three quarterbacks on the final 53-man roster? If they only keep two, Nussmeier might get claimed by another team on "cutdown day" (when teams trim rosters).

IMPORTANT POINT: LOW CONCERN
This might be the best QB room the Chiefs have had since Mahomes’ rookie year. The only stress is a roster math problem, not talent.

Running Backs

The Depth Chart

• Lead Back: Kenneth Walker
• Backup Competition: Brashard Smith, Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson
• Practice Squad Candidates: Jaydn Ott, E.J. Smith

What I Saw

The top four spots seem locked in. The only mystery is the order—who gets the ball in which situation. Think of it like a rotating crew of delivery drivers; they’ll all get packages, just on different routes.

IMPORTANT POINT: VERY LOW CONCERN
Solid depth, clear hierarchy. No sleepless nights here.

Wide Receivers

The Depth Chart

• Starters: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton
• Backup Battle: Cyrus Allen, Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio, Andrew Armstrong, Jimmy Holiday
• Practice Squad Hopefuls: Jacob De Jesus, Omari Evans, Jeff Weimer, Xavier Loyd, Jason Brownlee, Jeff Caldwell

What I Saw

With Mahomes likely sitting out preseason games, the backups will get tons of throws from Fields and Nussmeier. This is their audition tape!

IMPORTANT POINT: HIGH CONCERN
The starting trio is fragile. If Rice, Worthy, or Thornton gets hurt, the season could go sideways fast. The fear goes away ONLY if Allen, Royals, Armstrong, and others prove they can be reliable role players during the regular season.

Tight Ends

The Depth Chart

• First-Team: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley
• Fighting for 4th Spot: Jake Briningstool, Tre Watson, Mason Pline

What I Saw

This is must-watch TV in preseason! The guys behind Kelce and Gray will get huge playing time.

• Jared Wiley has been a starter all camp but hurt his hamstring this week. He and Gray need game reps to hold off the rookies.
• Jake Briningstool is making a serious push. His receiving skills are impressive. I initially thought they’d keep only 3 TEs, but Briningstool might force them to keep 4.
• Blocking worry: After Kelce, this group’s run-blocking is a question mark if the offense wants to pound the rock.

IMPORTANT POINT: MODERATE CONCERN
Health (Wiley) and blocking ability are the two yellow flags here.

Offensive Line

First Team (The Starters)

Second Team (The Backups)

Practice Squad Candidates

• Chu Godrick (RT), C.J. Hanson (G), Matt Waletzko (T/G), Josh Thompson (G)

What I Saw

Simple Explanation: The O-Line is like a wall protecting the quarterback. Five guys moving as one.

• Good news: If Trey Smith’s (starting RG) hip injury is short-term (Coach Reid says it is), concern is LOW.
• Watch Kahlil Benson (rookie RG): Where he lines up in preseason tells us the plan.
  • Plays Guard → He’s the primary backup inside.
  • Plays Tackle → They view him as a swing tackle first.

Defensive Ends (Edge Rushers)

Starting Rotation

George Karlaftis, Ashton Gillotte, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, R Mason Thomas

Fighting for 5th Spot

Emmanuel Ogbah, Tyreke Smith, Ethan Hurkett

Practice Squad Candidates

V.J. Anthony, Anthony Dunn

What I Saw

IMPORTANT POINT: VERY HIGH CONCERN
The #2 edge rusher opposite Karlaftis is a massive question mark.

• R Mason Thomas (No. 51): Everyone’s watching his "first step" (explosiveness off the snap).
• Felix Anudike-Uzomah: Could be an X-factor if it finally clicks. But he’s been lining up inside a lot in camp—not a great sign for a pure edge rusher.
• Ashton Gillotte: Hamstring injury Week 1, hasn’t practiced since.
• Emmanuel Ogbah: Signed for a reason (veteran insurance), but the young guys can steal the show in preseason.

Defensive Tackles (Interior Line)

Starting Rotation

Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga, Peter Woods, Omarr Norman-Lott (PUP = Physically Unable to Perform list)

Placeholder Battle (if Norman-Lott isn’t ready Week 1)

Marcus Harris, Cole Brevard

Practice Squad Candidates

Damon Payne, Amari McNeill

What I Saw

• Marcus Harris (2nd year, Auburn): Quick, penetrating guy. Top candidate to fill in for Norman-Lott.
• Cole Brevard: Massive human. If he can plug running lanes, he’s a valuable specialist.

IMPORTANT POINT: LOW-MODERATE CONCERN
Chris Jones is a cheat code. The rest is about depth management until Norman-Lott returns.

Linebackers

Starters (Base Defense)

Backup Competition

• Jack Cochrane → Backup MIKE
• Jeffrey Bassa → Swiss Army Knife (WILL/SAM)
• Cole Christiansen → Backup everywhere

Practice Squad Candidates

Kam Arnold, Wesley Bissainthe

What I Saw

• Jeffrey Bassa (No. 31) is the most exciting name here. He can do it all: blitz, tackle in space, cover. Watch him fly around in preseason!
• The whole group’s ceiling depends on Bassa becoming that situational weapon.

IMPORTANT POINT: LOW CONCERN
Starters are elite. Backup plan is clear. Bassa’s upside is the only variable.

Cornerbacks (Outside)

Starting Rotation

Mansoor Delane, Nohl Williams, L’Jarius Sneed

Backup Battle

Kristian Fulton, Melvin Smith, Kaiir Elam

Practice Squad Candidates

D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, Zelmar Vedder

What I Saw

• Injuries at the top = Melvin Smith got tons of 1st-team reps.
• Kristian Fulton (veteran) has barely practiced with starters. If he flashes in preseason, could he be trade bait? Something to watch.
• D’Arco Perkins-McAllister (No. 19): Long, physical, outside corner—preseason standout candidate.

IMPORTANT POINT: HIGH CONCERN
This group has barely played full-speed, full-contact football together. Preseason won’t fully answer the contact question, but we’ll see coverage ability.

Nickel Corner (Slot Defender)

Starter

Christian Roland-Wallace

Backup Battle

Kader Kohou, Jadon Canady, Kevin Knowles

What I Saw

• Kevin Knowles is a personal favorite. He’s fighting Kohou (newly signed) for likely one roster spot.
• Jadon Canady (4th round rookie) is the long-term heir to Roland-Wallace.
• Canady’s test: Can he hold up near the line of scrimmage and in the box (run support)? If yes, he could start sooner than expected.

Safeties

Starting Duo

Alohi Gilman, Chamarri Conner

Backup Battle

Jaden Hicks, Xavier Nwankpa, DeShon Singleton

Practice Squad Candidate

Tanner McAlister

What I Saw

• Jaden Hicks (rookie) has been stuck with the 2nd team mostly. He NEEDS a big preseason to earn Steve Spagnuolo’s trust for Week 1.
• Nwankpa vs. Singleton: Likely one spot. Nwankpa leads, but Singleton can steal it with great preseason play.

Summary: Concern Levels at a Glance

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

1. What is "PUP" and why is Omarr Norman-Lott on it?

PUP = Physically Unable to Perform. It means he’s injured and can’t practice. He doesn’t count against the 90-man roster limit right now. If he’s not ready by Week 1, he can move to "Reserve/PUP" and miss at least 4 games.

2. What’s the difference between "cutdown day" and the "waiver wire"?

• Cutdown Day: NFL teams must shrink from 90 players → 53 by a deadline (usually late August).
• Waiver Wire: When a player is cut, other teams have 24 hours to "claim" them (take their contract). Teams with worse records get priority. If unclaimed, the player becomes a free agent.

3. Why does it matter where Kahlil Benson plays in preseason?

It reveals the coaching staff’s mental depth chart.

• Guard snaps = "He’s our top backup inside."
• Tackle snaps = "He’s our swing tackle (backup for both left and right tackle)."

4. What’s a "Nickel Corner" and why is it a separate position?

Modern offenses use 3+ receivers ~65% of the time. The defense answers with a 5th defensive back (hence "Nickel" = 5¢). This player covers the slot receiver (inside WR) and must be good in coverage AND run support. It’s basically a hybrid CB/Safety.

5. How many tight ends do teams usually keep?

Most keep 3. Some keep 4 if the 4th guy plays special teams well or offers unique receiving skills. Briningstool’s receiving might force KC to keep 4.

Final Thoughts

Training camp is like studying for a test. Preseason games are the practice quizzes. The real exam starts Week 1 vs. the Chargers.

Biggest things to watch this weekend:

1. WR backups catching passes from Fields/Nussmeier
2. DE rotation — who wins snaps opposite Karlaftis?
3. Jaden Hicks — can he flash at Safety?
4. Kahlil Benson’s position — Guard or Tackle?
5. Jake Briningstool — does he force a 4th TE spot?

Thanks for reading, Chiefs Kingdom! Let’s go win another ring!

Article based on 11 in-person training camp practices at Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO.