Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs 53-man roster projection: A few surprises based on early practices | The Athletic
Receivers (6)
In: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen, Andrew Armstrong
Missed the cut: Jimmy Holiday, Nikko Remigio, Jacob De Jesus, Jason Brownlee, Jeff Caldwell, Omari Evans, Xavier Loyd
This list might include the biggest surprise in this projection. Armstrong seems to have gained early favor with coaches after signing a reserve contract in the offseason. His trajectory reminds me a bit of Thornton, who also performed well during late-spring practices in 2025 before later securing his spot. At this point, I’d put Holiday as next in the battle for that end-of-the-roster receiver spot. Remigio, meanwhile, remains a wild card to make it if the Chiefs can’t find a reliable punt catcher.
Tight ends (4)
In: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Tre Watson
Missed the cut: Jake Briningstool, John Michael Gyllenborg, Mason Pline
We don’t talk enough about Watson, and based on his performance in recent drills, he should get a long look for the fourth tight end spot. Briningstool needs to show he can be healthy and available after a de facto redshirt season last year with a hamstring injury.
Conner’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Conner has shown solid overall safety ability and an unquestioned willingness to hit as a run defender — generally a non-negotiable in Spagnuolo’s defense. Unfortunately, Conner’s most glaring weakness was consistently obvious last season.
Even with now-departed cornerback Trent McDuffie on last year’s squad, Conner was frequently asked to be the Chiefs’ slot defender, which left him susceptible to bad matchups with slot receivers who he could not wrangle in man coverage.
Some of those exposed weaknesses fall to the coaching staff; Conner’s slot struggles were a point of discussion on Only Weird Games before the 2025 season even began.
Perhaps in response to last year’s weakness and while planning for a post-McDuffie world, the Chiefs signed veteran cornerback Kader Kohou, drafted Oregon DB Jadon Canady, reunited with L’Jarius Sneed and retained Chris Roland Wallace — all players who can set up in the slot, allowing Conner to play a more traditional safety role once again.
Taylor Swift attends Tight End University with Travis Kelce | ESPN
Tight End University on Monday posted a photo of Swift standing beside her soon-to-be husband, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce; the San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle and his wife, Claire; and former NFL tight end Greg Olsen and his daughter, Talbot.
It isn’t the first time Swift has made an appearance at the exclusive offseason summit for tight ends. Swift gave last year’s attendees a surprise performance with country singer Kane Brown and sang her hit tune “Shake It Off.” It was...
