Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ preaseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals, we used Anthony Reinhard’s play-by-play snap count analysis (available at StatButler.com) to estimate a Kansas City depth chart going into preseason Week 1.
Now we’ll use the same analysis from Friday night’s 33-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks to see how the depth chart changed after the first game.
By looking at this data, we can estimate that going into Friday’s game, Kansas City’s depth charts probably looked something like these. Players whose positions have substantially changed since the Week 1 game are listed in bold.
Some notes
- During the preseason, we should expect depth charts to be fluid. Based on what happened during Friday’s game, these have probably changed already. They could change again tomorrow.
- Strictly based on snap counts, some players might have been higher on the depth chart. But sometimes teams hope to generate trade interest by featuring a player they don’t think they’ll keep. We believe Skyy Moore’s use is an example of this phenomenon.
- These charts do not account for special teams considerations. This is why we now have Brashard Smith in front of Elijah Mitchell: because Mitchell does not get snaps on special teams.
- We’re projecting cornerback Kristian Fulton — who hasn’t played in either preseason matchup — as a second-string player, based on where he played during his handful of training camp practices.
- Because of the way he was used in Friday’s game, Reinhard has listed Christian Roland-Wallace as a safety. He could easily go back to being counted as a cornerback in the next game. This is the result of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo doing what he does: players from one role to another.
We’ll look forward to seeing how this data changes when the Chiefs host the Chicago Bears on Friday night.
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