Building the 2019 Chiefs: All but one player arrived during the Andy Reid era
It was inevitable that the longer Andy Reid remained coach of the Chiefs, the more the roster would reflect his input in talent acquisition. Reid is in his seventh season in Kansas City, and only player he inherited who’s still on board? Punter Dustin Colquitt.
The rest of roster has been assembled with players drafted, traded for, claimed off waivers or who’ve arrived via free agency since 2013. That year, the Chiefs had the overall No. 1 pick and selected tackle Eric Fisher. Also remaining from that year are third-round selection Travis Kelce, a tight end, and fullback Anthony Sherman, acquired in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Javier Arenas.
John Dorsey also arrived in 2013 and was the general manager through the 2017 NFL Draft before he was fired that June. Brett Veach has overseen the Chiefs’ two most recent drafts. Carl Peterson was the general manager when Colquitt was taken in the third round in 2005. No player remains from the Scott Pioli era (2009-12).
As the Chiefs begin their playoff quest with Sunday’s Divisional Round contest against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium, they do so with a team that’s been largely assembled in just the last few years.
In other words, this is Reid’s team.
Here’s how the 2019 Chiefs were built.
2005
P Dustin Colquitt (Draft-3rd round)
Has played in 237 games, the most in Chiefs history.
2013
OT Eric Fisher (D-1)
Missed eight games this season with a groin injury.
TE Travis Kelce (D-3)
Has 200 receptions over the past two seasons and a rushing touchdown this year.
FB Anthony Sherman (Trade-Arizona)
Ranks first among NFL fullbacks with 111 consecutive games played.
2014
G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (D-6)
Should be allowed to have “Dr.” on his jersey.
S Daniel Sorensen (Free Agent)
Has returned two of his seven career interceptions for touchdowns.
2015
LS James Winchester (FA)
Chiefs’ long snapper for the past five seasons.
2016
DT Chris Jones (D-2)
Moved inside and earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
WR Demarcus Robinson (D-4)
Career-best 32 receptions and 449 yards this season.
WR Tyreek Hill (D-5)
Dealt with shoulder injury early, but earned a fourth straight Pro Bowl selection.
OT Mitchell Schwartz (FA)
Remains among the NFL’s top right tackles.
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2017
QB Patrick Mahomes (D-1)
Another outstanding regular season. Next step is playoff success.
DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (D-2)
Enjoyed his best season in 2019 under new defensive scheme.
K Harrison Butker (FA)
NFL scoring leader kicked a career-best 56-yarder against Bears.
LB Reggie Ragland (Trade-Buffalo)
Played on only 21 percent of team’s defensive snaps but made them count.
OL Cam Erving (Trade-Cleveland)
Thrust into starting role with Fisher’s injury. Versatile performer.
2018
DT Derrick Nnadi (D-3)
Only Chiefs defensive lineman to start every game in 2019.
LB Dorian O’Daniel (D-4)
Continues his role as one of coordinator Dave Toub’s top special teams players.
S Armani Watts (D-4)
Snuffed out the fake punt at Denver. He’ll now get more snaps on defense with Thornhill’s injury.
G Andrew Wylie (FA)
Missed the final two regular-season games with ankle injury but said he’ll be ready for playoffs.
WR Sammy Watkins (FA)
His 52 receptions in 2019 were his most in five years but hasn’t found end zone since opener.
LB Anthony Hitchens (FA)
Team leader in tackles for the second straight year.
RB Damien Williams (FA)
Team leader in rushing yards (498) and touchdowns (five), and is heating up for playoffs.
LB Ben Neimann (FA)
Rotation linebacker in his second season, played 36 percent of defensive snaps.
TE Deon Yelder (FA)
Two of his three receptions came at Detroit for 43 yards.
WR Byron Pringle (FA)
First NFL touchdown reception came at end of wild Mahomes scramble vs. Colts.
QB Chad Henne (FA)
Injured and unavailable when Chiefs needed replacement for injured Mahomes.
CB Kendall Fuller (Trade-Washington)
Playing corner and safety, but look for more safety following Thornhill’s injury.
CB Charvarius Ward (Trade-Dallas)
No defensive player has improved more this season.
S Jordan Lucas (Trade-Miami)
Lost playing time on defense, but that speaks to improvement at position group.
C Austin Reiter (Waivers-Cleveland)
Reiter and Mitchell Schwartz are only KC offensive linemen to start every game.
2019
WR Mecole Hardman (D-2)
Huge receiving and return contributions from Chiefs’ first draft pick of 2019.
S Juan Thornhill (D-2)
Exceptional rookie season, and he’ll be missed after tearing ACL against Chargers.
DT Khalen Saunders (D-3)
First game was in Week 5, but he has been part of D-line rotation since then.
CB Rashad Fenton (D-6)
Came on strong throughout the season, grabbing his first pro interception at Tennessee.
RB Darwin Thompson (D-6)
Has been the second running back on the depth chart in the Chiefs’ past few games.
G Nick Allegretti (D-7)
Played in seven games with just eight offensive snaps, but Allegretti is being groomed for future.
S Tyrann Mathieu (FA)
The defensive MVP, maybe the team MVP, for his leadership, four interceptions.
LB Damien Wilson (FA)
Team leader in snaps among linebackers at 64 percent..
CB Bashaud Breeland (FA)
Biggest defensive play of the year: 100-yard fumble return at Detroit.
TE Blake Bell (FA)
Team’s second tight end target had only eight receptions in first year with Chiefs.
QB Matt Moore (FA)
Defeated a playoff team, the Vikings, in one of his two starts.
RB LeSean McCoy (FA)
Load management and poised for playoff run, or will McCoy be limited?
CB Morris Claiborne (FA)
Hasn’t played since suffering a shoulder injury in Week 13.
G Stefen Wisniewski (FA)
Veteran acquired in October has started previous two games in place of Wylie.
DT Mike Pennel (FA)
Has been a force in the interior during his eight games.
OT Jackson Barton (FA)
Activated from practice squad in November but hasn’t played.
DE Demone Harris (FA)
Logged just four games played, but has made an impact and is now part of the defensive end rotation.
RB Spencer Ware (FA)
Ware was making big contribution before injury forced him out.
CB Alex Brown (FA)
On practice squad most of the season, Brown has appeared in three games.
DE Frank Clark (Trade-Seattle)
Has battled injuries but is at his strongest now. Pro Bowl pick has seven sacks in last eight games.
LB Darron Lee (Trade-NY Jets)
Has proven to be a valuable member of Chiefs’ special teams.
DE Terrell Suggs (Waivers-Arizona)
Late-season pickup brings veteran presence, championship pedigree.