Eight most intriguing Kansas City Chiefs players to watch in training camp
By Nate Taylor
6h ago
Yes, after an eventful offseason — which included the end of the Chris Jones contract saga, the trade of L’Jarius Sneed and contract extensions for coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach — the Kansas City Chiefs will start their 2024 campaign Tuesday with the opening of training camp, when quarterbacks, rookies and veterans returning from injury are expected to report to the campus of Missouri Western State University.
Although the Chiefs’ projected 53-man roster and depth chart are mostly set, plenty of players will be intriguing to watch over the next five weeks. Here are eight players whose camp progress will likely determine their status for the remainder of the season.
RB Louis Rees-Zammit
The most fascinating player on the Chiefs’ 90-man roster is Rees-Zammit, the speedster and former rugby star who joined the team this offseason after entering the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. The first football game in Rees-Zammit’s 23-year-old life will come Aug. 10 in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rees-Zammit has the skills — speed, reliable hands and above-average vision — to develop into a quality player. The question is this: Can he make the transition before opening night, Sept. 5?
The best and perhaps the most direct way for Rees-Zammit to earn his spot on the initial roster is by excelling as a kickoff returner. But he will also compete with Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram for the third running back spot on the depth chart.
“He’s done above and beyond what I’ve expected,” special teams coordinator Dave Toub said of Rees-Zammit in late May. “He can kick field goals, he can kick off and he can be a kickoff guy for us. He’s every bit as good as (safety) Justin (Reid) is at moving the ball on kickoffs. He’s really working hard at a returning job. He wants to be great, and he’s a great athlete. He’s just got such a long way to go, mentally-wise. But he’s on the accelerator program, and he’s doing well.”
Y'all ready for LRZ in KC? pic.twitter.com/FiTMcI8hz6
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 23, 2024
WR Kadarius Toney
This is a make-or-break year for Toney, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Last year, Toney missed training camp and the preseason while recovering from surgery to repair the meniscus and cartilage in his knee. In the regular season, he struggled, dropping multiple passes from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and was benched in December.
Beyond needing to stay healthy, Toney must continue to rebuild his connection and chemistry with Mahomes while also showing he can be one of the top targets for backup quarterback Carson Wentz in the preseason. An argument can be made that Toney is still the Chiefs’ most talented receiver, even after the offseason additions of Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy. Toney, though, needs to demonstrate consistency in camp and the preseason to secure his roster spot.
If he doesn’t do well in camp, Toney could be a candidate to be traded ahead of Aug. 27, the NFL’s annual cutdown date. If Toney is traded, that would create $2.5 million in salary-cap space for the Chiefs with no dead money, according to Over the Cap.
CB Nazeeh Johnson
Early in camp last year, Johnson was competing for a starting spot in the Chiefs’ talented secondary before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee, ending his season before it started. He returned to the practice fields in the spring and had impressive reps, even splitting time with the rest of the projected starters.
If Johnson does well and is available for the Chiefs’ season opener, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could have as many as nine rotational contributors in the secondary.
LT Kingsley Suamataia
The lone major position battle is at left tackle. The Chiefs selected Suamataia in the second round of the draft. He will compete for the starting role against second-year player Wanya Morris, who started four games as a rookie. During minicamp last month, Suamataia played most of the reps at left tackle with the rest of the projected starters to help him prepare for camp. The real test for Suamataia will be when the Chiefs have several consecutive padded practices, reps that will feature him in one-on-one matchups against pass rushers George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Chris Jones.
“At training camp, I think we can open up that talk a little more on where we’re at, where we stand,” Jones said last month on Suamataia’s progress. “Either we are getting our butt kicked, or we’re kicking butt.”
The @Chiefs just selected Kingsley Suamataia, who is 6'5" and 326 lbs and can do this ⬇️
📺: #NFLDraft on NFL Network/ESPN2/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/fUOTn55Ba0
— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2024
TE Jared Wiley
In spring practices (remember, there were no pads), Wiley, the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick, produced some of the most impressive reps, receptions that showed his above-average athleticism and route-running ability against the projected defensive starters. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 249 pounds, Wiley should be a compelling secondary passing option for Mahomes as he learns the nuances of the position in the Chiefs offense from Travis Kelce.
“The more he gets down the field, he can really make those tough, contested catches,” Mahomes said of Wiley in late May. “I want him to play even more physical. I know it’s hard in OTAs. You can’t really bump, but I think he can make those tough catches in the middle of the field. He’s faster than people think he is.”
Playin' catch. pic.twitter.com/E98z886l2m
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 28, 2024
WR Skyy Moore
Similar to Toney, Moore had a disappointing 2023 season and finished the season with a knee injury. Also similar to Toney, Moore needs to reestablish his role within the offense, whether as a primary slot receiver or a trusted all-around receiver, such as seven-year veteran Justin Watson. Moore is likely to compete with Toney for regular-season snaps if both players make the initial roster. If Moore is released or traded on cutdown day, it would create $1.29 million in salary-cap space for the Chiefs with less than $500,000 in dead money, according to Over the Cap.
WR Nikko Remigio
The player who could benefit the most if Toney or Moore stumbles is Remigio, the second-year player who joined the Chiefs last season as an undrafted rookie. Remigio is likely competing for the final roster spot at the position, as he is also a possible kickoff returner. He has built a connection with Wentz during the offseason program, too.
Last year, Remigio led the Chiefs with four receptions for 71 yards in their preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints before he sustained a season-ending dislocated left shoulder injury the following week. Remigio’s minicamp reps were split between the rest of the projected starters and the top backups.
“Nikko is a prime example of an undrafted free agent that comes in, is an absolute professional every day — in the meeting rooms, at practice, the same mentality — and you root for guys like that,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said in May. “He’s showing up. Guys like him find a role and they’ve got to make an impact on special teams. I’m rooting for him, I think he’s a great kid and it could be a fun story.”
Year 2 pic.twitter.com/czCZmWNcWZ
— Nikko Remigio (@nikkoremigio) June 11, 2024
DE BJ Thompson
When the Chiefs selected Thompson in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, he was projected to be a developmental prospect, a player who needed a redshirt year before competing for snaps. Thompson enters this season hoping to earn a role as a rotational edge rusher.
He missed minicamp last month to rest after a seizure sent him into cardiac arrest while in a special teams meeting. He was able to rejoin his teammates for the Super Bowl ring ceremony last month.
Just like for Suamataia, the Chiefs’ padded practices will be important for Thompson. They will indicate how much he has improved since his rookie season.
I just don't see a place on this team for Skyy Moore, especially considering the ascension of Nikko Remigio.
Toney is a very divisive topic. I think they hold on to him just because of the flashes he's shown, but I wouldn't be floored if they decide to trade/cut him. He's just not consistent enough, and he lost Mahomes' trust last season.
Pulling for BJ Thompson (for obvious reasons) as well. If he can come back to form, his speed with FAU could be a pleasant surprise for the defense. [Reply]
“He’s done above and beyond what I’ve expected,” special teams coordinator Dave Toub said of Rees-Zammit in late May. “He can kick field goals, he can kick off and he can be a kickoff guy for us. He’s every bit as good as (safety) Justin (Reid) is at moving the ball on kickoffs. He’s really working hard at a returning job. He wants to be great, and he’s a great athlete. He’s just got such a long way to go, mentally-wise. But he’s on the accelerator program, and he’s doing well.”
Our team is so deep that we're carrying three kickers this year. [Reply]
The player who probably deserves to be at the top of it though is Xavier Worthy. Is this guy ready to be an added component and allow this offense to make a massive jump? Or is he probably just a Hardman-level gadget guy for the season.
I'd add Hunter Nourzad to the list, and Matt Araiza.
Nourzad has a front row seat to replacing either Humphrey or Smith next year. (I'm actually sneakily high on CJ Hanson, too, who looks to me like an LDT clone.)
Araiza because he had to beat out top-end UDFA competition, so let's see what his holding/pinning is made of.
FAU is going to be hugely important to watch, too. By re-signing Danna, the Chiefs have clearly communicated that they're simply not comfortable with FAU playing starter-level snaps at DE while we wait on Omenihu's return.
Two young guys in the secondary, as well: Trey Dean, a highly touted prospect that the Chiefs have somehow nabbed at safety, and Kelvin Joseph, a former 2nd round pick who did diddly squat with the Cowboys but Veach clearly likes.
If you want to get weeds-ier, I was a big Truman Jones guy, and the Chiefs elected to keep him on the practice squad all year. I thought he might push BJ Thompson for the final DE spot, now I'd like to see if he can take a jump and push Malik Herring.
Fabian Lovett was maybe the best UDFA the Chiefs picked up. I think he has starter-level potential, and that 1-tech position is wiiiiiiiiiiiide open for him to win.
I'd also like to see what Carson Wentz brings. Is he a Moore/Henne level replacement, or is he going to be a Gabbert level crapshow.
Niang is completely on his last legs, and I think he ends up getting cut. Does he offer anything salvageable this year.
When I went to camp last year, I thought Deneric Prince was the best non-future-HOF player on the field. (They were not yet wearing pads.) Does that player still exist? Because RB3 is also wiiiiiiiiide open.
Keith Taylor looked really good in preseason last year, and his value as an athletic, 6'3" corner is sky high if he can hit. Ekow Boye-Doe looked super good too. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Kiimo:
It might not be the sexiest but if one player emerges and just looks like an instant starter that guy would hopefully be Kingsley
Originally Posted by Direckshun:
That's an outstanding list.
The player who probably deserves to be at the top of it though is Xavier Worthy. Is this guy ready to be an added component and allow this offense to make a massive jump? Or is he probably just a Hardman-level gadget guy for the season.
I'd add Hunter Nourzad to the list, and Matt Araiza.
Nourzad has a front row seat to replacing either Humphrey or Smith next year. (I'm actually sneakily high on CJ Hanson, too, who looks to me like an LDT clone.)
Araiza because he had to beat out top-end UDFA competition, so let's see what his holding/pinning is made of.
FAU is going to be hugely important to watch, too. By re-signing Danna, the Chiefs have clearly communicated that they're simply not comfortable with FAU playing starter-level snaps at DE while we wait on Omenihu's return.
Two young guys in the secondary, as well: Trey Dean, a highly touted prospect that the Chiefs have somehow nabbed at safety, and Kelvin Joseph, a former 2nd round pick who did diddly squat with the Cowboys but Veach clearly likes.
If you want to get weeds-ier, I was a big Truman Jones guy, and the Chiefs elected to keep him on the practice squad all year. I thought he might push BJ Thompson for the final DE spot, now I'd like to see if he can take a jump and push Malik Herring.
Fabian Lovett was maybe the best UDFA the Chiefs picked up. I think he has starter-level potential, and that 1-tech position is wiiiiiiiiiiiide open for him to win.
I'd also like to see what Carson Wentz brings. Is he a Moore/Henne level replacement, or is he going to be a Gabbert level crapshow.
Niang is completely on his last legs, and I think he ends up getting cut. Does he offer anything salvageable this year.
When I went to camp last year, I thought Deneric Prince was the best non-future-HOF player on the field. (They were not yet wearing pads.) Does that player still exist? Because RB3 is also wiiiiiiiiide open.
Keith Taylor looked really good in preseason last year, and his value as an athletic, 6'3" corner is sky high if he can hit. Ekow Boye-Doe looked super good too.
Xavier Worthy is actually a great route runner. Hardman has never been that. I fucking hate the comparison between the two, because the only thing they have in common is that they are both black, they are within 3/4 of an inch in height , and they both run a sub 4.35 40. That is it. Xavier Worthy had more rec, yds, and TDs his freshman year than Hardman had his entire college career.
No one should be surprised that Hardman didn't develop into anything more than a gadget guy. I'll be really surprised if Xavier Worthy becomes a gadget guy. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThrobProng:
Let's hope Veach's idea to needlessly trade up for Kingsley just to boost his confidence pays off. :-)
Nate Taylor sucks.
Yeah Nate Taylor wants so badly to be Terez, but he won't ever be him. Taylor takes educated guesses and then reports it as info coming from the organization or he's being fed false info by the front office. Perez had the love and respect of the guys in the locker room and so he knew quite a bit about what was going on.
Losing Perez was the biggest media loss we Chiefs fans have ever had.
Brook Pryor was the biggest media loss we Chiefs fans have ever had, but bigger in a different way. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Kiimo:
I'm very curious how "needless" you think it was and how you know that from your couch
You'll have to ask Nate Taylor. He's the one who wrote it shortly after the draft. He suspected that Veach traded up when he didn't need to, in order to "demonstrate the Chiefs' commitment to him". [Reply]
I like Nate Taylor but he is like consistently wrong about people when someone asks his opinion. He reminds me of Mitch Holthus and also Clay Wendler lol just always wrong [Reply]
Ethan Driskell is a nice size/speed tackle that we got from the undrafted pool that Dane Brugler thought would be a 5th or 6th rd pick. They said they almost drafted him instead of Nourzad I the post draft presser.
Driskell is going to win that last tackle spot and boot Niang’s fat ass to the curb [Reply]
