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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Goldman

Chiefs release updated depth chart for divisional round

The Kansas City Chiefs have released their latest “unofficial” depth chart ahead of the divisional round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

There are a pair of changes to the depth chart this week, reflecting roster moves that happened ahead of Week 18’s game. Generally speaking, these are intended to give a rough idea of where a player is on the depth chart, but they’re not always entirely accurate. They’re considered “unofficial” because they’re assembled by the team’s PR staff and not the coaching staff and they might not always reflect what happens on game day as a result of that. It’s intended to be a fluid document that evolves as the roster changes throughout the season.

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With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at the latest depth chart (dated Jan. 16) and see what we can learn about the Chiefs:

Offense

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
QB Patrick Mahomes Chad Henne Shane Buechele
RB Isiah Pacheco Jerick McKinnon Ronald Jones
FB Michael Burton
TE Travis Kelce Noah Gray Blake Bell
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Skyy Moore Mecole Hardman
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling Kadarius Toney Justin Watson
LT Orlando Brown Jr. Prince Tega-Wanogho
LG Joe Thuney Nick Allegretti
C Creed Humphrey Nick Allegretti
RG Trey Smith Nick Allegretti
RT Andrew Wylie Darian Kinnard Lucas Niang

Observations:

  • Mecole Hardman was activated to the 53-man roster ahead of Week 18, but he didn’t play in the game. He’s back on the depth chart this week, but not in the same spot where he started the 2022 NFL season. Expect the Chiefs to ease Hardman back into action should he play in the divisional round.
  • In a corresponding move to Hardman’s activation, the Chiefs released OT Geron Christian. He no longer appears on the depth chart with Prince Tega Wanogho taking his place.

Defense

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
LDE Mike Danna George Karlaftis Malik Herring
LDT Derrick Nnadi Khalen Saunders
RDT Chris Jones Brandon Williams
RDE Frank Clark Carlos Dunlap Joshua Kaindoh
MLB Nick Bolton Darius Harris
WLB Willie Gay Jr. Jack Cochrane
SLB Leo Chenal Jack Cochrane
LCB L’Jarius Sneed Joshua Williams Chris Lammons
RCB Trent McDuffie Jaylen Watson Nazeeh Johnson
FS Juan Thornhill Deon Bush
SS Justin Reid Bryan Cook

Observations:

  • No changes to the depth chart on the defensive side of the ball this week.
  • In Week 18, Joshua Williams played no snaps on defense. Meanwhile, Jaylen Watson played 67% of the defensive snaps for Kansas City.

Special teams

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
P Tommy Townsend
K Harrison Butker
LS James Winchester
H Tommy Townsend
PR Kadarius Toney Justin Watson Skyy Moore
KR Isiah Pacheco Skyy Moore

Observations:

  • No changes to the special teams depth chart despite Mecole Hardman’s return. Dave Toub could still potentially use Hardman on punt returns as he did with Tyreek Hill in the past. If the Chiefs need a spark, Toub could put him out there.
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