AP Chiefs Mailbag: Putting numbers to positions ahead of cutdowns

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 15: Tight end Jake Briningstool #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs after a second quarter pass catch in an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome back to the Arrowhead Pride Mailbag ! Throughout the season, keep watching The Feed for an opportunity to submit your questions about the Kansas City Chiefs !

The Chiefs have now played two preseason games. Those in consideration for the final roster spots have one more chance to shine on Friday against the Seattle Seahawks before the final roster is revealed on Sunday. Let’s see what’s on our readers’ minds.

CasualFanatic asks:

Do the Chiefs keep 4 TEs or 7 WRs, and if so, who makes those spots?

I am guessing those outcomes are mutually exclusive. I predict the Chiefs will carry some combination of 10 wide receivers and tight ends.

I feel very safe that six of those spots are already spoken for: tight end Travis Kelce and wide receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Cyrus Allen, and Jalen Royals.

Tight end Noah Gray is probably a lock given the inexperience of the room behind Kelce. However, there are salary cap considerations, and the Chiefs could save almost $4 million against the limit by moving on.

Assuming Gray stays, I think these five players are competing for three slots: wideouts Andrew Armstrong and Nikko Remigio, and tight ends Jared Wiley, Jake Briningstool and Trey Watson.

Of that group, I think Briningstool stands above as the most difficult to pass through waivers. I do not think the Chiefs would have any trouble getting the other four to the practice squad. Briningstool has put up enough good film in preseason that I think a team would claim him.

I haven’t seen evidence that the Chiefs trust anyone else on punt returns enough to cut Remigio.

I suspect the final decision on the roster will be whether to keep Armstrong or a fourth tight end. If the front office keeps Armstrong as a seventh wide receiver, he would theoretically offer enough as a rotational red zone target to not need a fourth tight end.

ChiefTigerfan24 asks:

In what order do we place our “waiver wire” wants after roster cut-downs? I’m guessing offensive line options will top the list. A blocking tight end would also be nice, and that might help shore up a weak right side of the line.

The Chiefs will have their highest waivers priority to start the season since 2013, and I expect them to take advantage. We might need to wait out a couple of days of league transactions reports to really know what Kansas City’s “final roster” will look like.

Three positions stand out to me for the Chiefs to be scouting from other teams.

The interior of the offensive line is a major need. Right now, the Chiefs look like they would need to get extremely creative to account for more than one offensive line injury. I expect Hunter Nourzad and Mike Caliendo to make the initial roster, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them is waived the next day after the Chiefs claim another player. At least one will probably stick for the season because the Chiefs will want to keep a backup to Creed Humphrey, who worked at center in camp.

Linebacker could also be a need. Starter Drue Tranquill has had a back injury managed much of camp. The direct backup to middle linebacker Nick Bolton, Jack Cochrane, has been sidelined with a knee injury. If Cochrane is a candidate to be put on injured reserve and designated to return, the team will probably want to add a linebacker unless one of the reserve options plays like Derrick Johnson in the third exhibition game.

Tight end is a sneaky option as well. I think the Chiefs’ receiving options at the position are what they are right now. But I could definitely see the team adding a blocking option.

ACE asks:

Will offensive line injuries derail the season? It seems like we don’t have enough quality depth, especially on the interior.

The offensive line’s preseason performance has definitely been concerning. I haven’t seen any evidence that left tackle Josh Simmons’ back injury is serious, but the second-year pro does still need to prove he can dependably stay on the field. Fortunately, right guard Trey Smith returned to practice on Monday after missing the second half of camp with a hip injury.

Rookie Kahlil Benson underwhelmed at tackle on Saturday, but he looks to be an acceptable sub at guard if needed. There are usually veteran guards available as free agents during the season if the need arises.

I think the Chiefs have the pieces in place to handle a single offensive line injury. If more than one starter goes down, however, the current room could be overwhelmed quickly.

DynastyMode2024 asks:

How bad is Jaylon Moore that he had his first-string right tackle reps taken by Benson? What’s going on here? I feel like camp reporting was a little covert on how both guys were actually doing. We go live with this thing in a couple of weeks.

Can Moore play RT or not?

As the current roster stands, I’m not sure Moore has any choice but to play right tackle. I expect him to get the nod over Benson unless the third preseason game drastically changes things.

Moore has mostly played on the left side, and he’s generally been an acceptable, if unspectacular, option. We’re also not far from the accolades he received last season when he stepped in for Simmons on just hours’ notice and played a big part in shutting down the  Detroit Lions ‘ pass rush.

We also haven’t seen Smith lined up at right guard next to either right tackle option. If the other four starters are playing to their abilities, I believe the Chiefs can put some help on the right side to make their right tackle situation work.

I will be interested in the third preseason game if second-year pro Esa Pole looks like he is getting some late consideration for the job. I will also be watching where E...

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