KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- I’m continuing my Kansas City Chiefs season-opening roster predictions here with the defense and special teams. Earlier, I took a stab at the offense.
Defensive line (6): Mike DeVito, Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, Jaye Howard, Mike Catapano, Rakeem Nunez-Roches. The Chiefs can get away with five players here because Poe and Bailey get a lot of work. But there’s a roster spot available for Nunez-Roches, their sixth-round draft pick, if he earns it.
Linebacker (9): Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Josh Mauga, Ramik Wilson, D.J. Alexander, Dee Ford, Frank Zombo, Josh Martin. Houston is the franchise player and unsigned, so it’s not a certainty he will be around when the season begins. Nine could be one too many for these positions, but the Chiefs like the special-teams potential of young players in Wilson, Alexander and Martin while Zombo, a veteran, can play inside or out.
Defensive back (9): Sean Smith, Marcus Peters, Ron Parker, Husain Abdullah, Jamell Fleming, Phillip Gaines, Steven Nelson, Tyvon Branch, Kelcie McCray. Much needs to be decided here, too. Sanders Commings could make it, but since he’s missed two seasons with injuries it’s difficult to count on that. Another possibility here is Daniel Sorensen, an undrafted rookie last season. This list, of course, doesn’t include Eric Berry.
Specialists (3): Cairo Santos, Dustin Colquitt, James Winchester. The Chiefs will have the same kicker and punter as last season. Whether it’s Winchester or someone else, the Chiefs will have a new long snapper; Thomas Gafford has moved on.
