Post-Draft Depth Chart Projection (April 26th)
Italics Signifies Rookie. * indicates UDFA
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | 2nd String | 3rd String | 4th String |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Patrick Mahomes | Justin Fields | Garrett Nussmeier | |
| RB | Kenneth Walker | Emmett Johnson | Brashard Smith | Emari Demarcado |
| TE | Travis Kelce | Noah Gray | Jared Wiley | John Michael Gyllenborg* |
| LT | Josh Simmons | Jaylon Moore | Esa Pole | |
| LG | Kingsley Suamatia | C.J. Hanson | ||
| C | Creed Humphrey | Hunter Nourzad | ||
| RG | Trey Smith | Mike Caliendo | ||
| RT | Jaylon Moore | Wanya Moris | Godrick Chukwuebuka | |
| WR-X | Tyquan Thornton | Jaylen Royals | Jeff Caldwell* | |
| WR-Z | Xavier Worthy | Nikko Remigigo | ||
| WR-Slot | Rashee Rice | Cyrus Allen |
So not a significant change up here, as expected. I think they will carry 3 QBs this year, as they used draft capital to get both Fields and Nussmeier.
I think Emmett Johnson should slot in as RB2 right away behind Walker. Frankly I think he's perfect for what we do on offense. He's not a home run hitter (Not a ton of 50+ yard runs, but plenty of 30-40 yarders) but he's shifty and has great vision, and more importantly, he's a fantastic receiver out of the backfield.
Even though Smith and Demarcado have more experience and are quicker, I think Johnson is the best runningback besides Walker, if that makes sense. He also has the longest contract of anyone in that room, since he'll be starting his four year rookie deal, so I imagine they'll want to get as much as they can out of him. I imagine he'd be in line for the lead back role if Walker ever got injured.
No changes on the offensive line, which does surprise me a bit. I would have thought they would have taken an offensive lineman at least as a developmental guy, but I think they really like Esa Pole and Godrick. I think the biggest liability continues to be RG2, but we'll see.
As far as receiver goes, the specific roles don't matter as much, because Andy rotates all of the guys, but I think it's very easy to see where Allen fits in. I am a firm believer in Jalen Royals still, I think under new coaching and actually seeing the field, he'll have a chance to show people what he can do. Caldwell, I think he has a strong chance to make the roster here. The athletic profile is insane, obviously, and there isn't a ton of resistance at the back end of the receiver room. Doesn't mean I think he'll see the field a lot, because he would be clearly at the back of that group, but similar to Justyn Ross I think he'll have a real shot at being in the room and potentially getting into a couple of games.
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | 2nd String | 3rd String | 4th String |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDE | George Karlaftis | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Vincent Anthony Jr* | |
| LDT | Chris Jones | Omar Norman-Lott | Zacch Pickens | |
| RDT | Khyiris Tonga | Peter Woods | ||
| RDE | Ashton Gillotte | R Mason Thomas | ||
| MLB | Nick Bolton | Jeffrey Bassa | Cooper McDonald | |
| WLB | Drue Tranquil | Jack Cochrane | ||
| LCB | Mansoor Delane | Kristian Fulton | ||
| RCB | Nohl Williams | Kaiir Elam | ||
| Nickel CB/Slot CB | Kader Kohou | Jadon Canady | ||
| SS | Chammari Conner | Jaden Hicks | Xavier Nwankpa* | |
| FS | Alohi Gilman | Chris Roland-Wallace |
A lot more changes on defense right away. Monsoor Delane slots into one of the starting corner slots right away opposite Nohl Williams. I did label Kader Kohou as the starter here, but I think there's a very real chance for Canady to start over him (maybe not right away, but very soon). I'm only giving the nod to Kohou for veteran experience for now.
Still don't feel the best about the edge group. Karlaftis and Gillotte still feel like they slot in as the two main starters there for now, as someone who can set the edge on run downs. R Mason Thomas will likely come in on pass rush downs, and he adds a lot of speed to that room that should be a nice change of pace compared to guys we have had before.
If FAU doesn't pan out this off-season I think he's a very easy cut candidate, but if he does work out he will probably be in a similar role. Otherwise, I see them looking towards a veteran on a cheaper deal (perhaps bringing back Mike Danna). I would still like to see another addition here though (Cam Jordan???). It's worth noting we also tend to put Chris Jones on the edge on passing downs.
The IDL group I think it's hard not to feel good about right now. I mean that is a beast of a 4 man rotation. I think even though the edge rotation still is shaky, you'll feel better about the ability of the guys they have in now to hold up if they rotate Chris Jones to the edge.
The safety room I feel really good about. Too many people I think are down on Conner because he was being played out of position last year (Nickel corner, when he is a true safety), or they simply did not pay attention to Alohi Gilman because he was on the Chargers and Ravens.
I really like Xavier Nwankpa. I think there's very little chance he doesn't make the roster. He was a five star out of high school, had a 9.95 RAS, and was super productive at Iowa. I am frankly floored this guy was a UDFA. I would've been really happy if we had taken him with a pick in the later rounds, but the fact that we got him as a UDFA is absolutely insane to me.