Hundreds of NFL players are about to find themselves receiving a pink slip in the next few days as franchises across the league pare down their 90-man offseason rosters down to the mandated 53-man versions by Tuesday.
For each team, including the Kansas City Chiefs, it's a frenzied time with plenty of players to potentially consider bringing in. The waiver wire won't be kind to them, given their spot at No. 31 overall, but minor trades can also be made. The Chiefs' decision to deal wide receiver Skyy Moore to San Francisco is one example.
Which players could make sense for the Chiefs? Which positions might see a fresh face in the mix? Here's a closer look at 9 players who could find themselves looking for work, each of whom would make sense in some capacity for the Chiefs.
Leonard Taylor III, DT, New York Jets
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Leonard Taylor is on the roster bubble in New York, and if he shakes loose, it wouldn't be surprising at all to see the Chiefs show some interest.
Taylor made the Jets as a rookie free agent in 2024 out of Miami, and he earned immediate playing time with 266 defensive snaps inside. He also flashed a bit of pass-rushing potential with 1.5 sacks, although he's a serious work in progress there. However, his calling card is as a solid presence in the run game.
The Jets just traded for Harrison Phillips, which could make Taylor expendable. If so, Taylor could make sense as a final interior lineman on the Chiefs' 53-man roster.
Beau Brade, S, Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens aren't going to be keen on seeing Brade on someone else's team, but there's no way around it. The depth is too great to keep him, and the value is too good for another team not to pounce on it.
Brade is a former rookie free agent from Maryland who signed with Baltimore following the 2024 NFL Draft and found himself earning playing time in 11 games last year on special teams. He's had a solid preseason, but the competition is too great.
Brade can play deep and in the box, giving the Chiefs the kind of versatility that would fit right in with the rest of the secondary. Given injury concerns for Mike Edwards at present and the loss of Deon Bush for the season on IR, if Brett Veach can find a way to import Brade, it'd be an under-the-radar addition.
Mazi Smith, DL, Dallas Cowboys
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Rumors surfaced that the [Chiefs were interested in Mazi Smith](https://arrowheadaddict.com/2023/04/28/did-andy-reid-chiefs-want-mazi-smith-draft-trade-round-1/) in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft (held in K.C., by the way) but Dallas took him instead of allowing them to move up in their place. But Smith hasn't panned out as hoped with middling results through his first two seasons.
It might sound weird to say it, but Smith is actually trending as a likely cut, per most accounts projecting what Dallas will do. His first-round pedigree is likely going to get someone to bite on a trade, but even after starting all 17 games for the Cowboys a year ago, it seems like the former Michigan lineman will be on the block.
Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings
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Two years ago, Ty Chandler surprised as a fantasy find and sparkplug for the Vikings offense. He tallied 620 yards from scrimmage and two scores as a change-of-pace back, but that splash became a one-time occurrence after the Vikings buried him on the depth chart in 2024 behind Aaron Jones and Cam Akers.
Chandler is a lock to be released before active roster cuts are due with Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott in place behind Jones. However, RB-needy teams might favor a late-preseason addition who has previous success along with return capabilities.
James Houston, DE, Dallas Cowboys
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It was only three years ago that the Detroit Lions were credited with an exciting young pass rusher in James Houston, who finished the 2022 season with 8 sacks. A great story as a small-school, sixth-round prospect, Houston enjoyed a tremendous rookie campaign but came crashing back to earth over the next two seasons.
Injuries have robbed Houston of the chance to build on that first year, and Detroit decided to cut their losses halfway through last season. The Cleveland Browns claimed him on waivers and now he's trying his best to make the Dallas Cowboys roster.
Houston has had a sensational training camp and preseason with the Cowboys, making him the least likely cut candidate on this list. However, it's possible the numbers won't work in his favor. If so, he'll be a begrudging cut who is sure to draw interest from other teams anxious to see if he can recapture what he had in his first NFL season.
Trevor Keegan, OL, Philadelphia Eagles
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No one is going to assume Keegan can step in and be something for the Chiefs that he's not been for the Eagles, but Philly sounds ready to punt on their fifth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Keegan should be familiar to CFB fans as an All-Big Ten performer his final two seasons on a championship-winning Michigan team. The Eagles drafted him to help as a run-grading interior lineman with loads of top-shelf experience, but he's struggled to stave off competition in Philly.
Depending on how the Chiefs view their own interior reserves of Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, and C.J. Hanson, they might be interested in bringing in another competitor there.
Nick Whiteside, CB, Detroit Lions
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The Lions are likely to send Nick Whiteside packing (maybe just to the practice squad), but profiles as an interesting man corner who flashed in the UFL before finding a home in Detroit this preseason. He's long and plays physical. He's also had a strong preseason. The Chiefs could be an interesting home. Hard to imagine a roster spot going to Whiteside, but maybe he'd like a spot on their practice squad instead.
Jalen Rivers, OL, Cincinnati Bengals
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It might feel weird thinking that the Bengals offensive line could help anyone, but Jalen Rivers has been flirting with the roster bubble through the preseason. It's an unlikely development given that he was the team's fifth-round pick back in April, but other players have settled in front of him on the depth chart.
The former Miami (Fl.) product is an intriguing prospect when viewed as an interior lineman. He played tons of tackle at Miami, but he profiles best inside. A significant injury history knocked him to the fifth round, but the Bengals took the plunge at number No. 153 overall.
The Bengals have experimented with Rivers outside and inside in the preseason to varying effect. It's likely he stays as the last lineman retained on the 53-man roster, but it's possible that he could wiggle free. I
Reese Taylor, CB, Denver Broncos
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Speaking of a defensive back, the Chiefs might want to bring back a familiar face if they're concerned about the team's health in the secondary. Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams, and Jaylen Watson have all dealt with injury concerns through the preseason and there might be room for some further help with special teams experience.
That's where Reese Taylor comes in, because he already [made the Chiefs' practice squad](https://arrowheadaddict.com/posts/chiefs-news-kc-adds-two-new-players-practice-squad) back in 2023 after signing as a rookie free agent. The Broncos claimed him off waivers midseason, and he has been with Denver ever since. However, their loaded secondary has Taylor on the outs.