Kansas City finalizes its 53-man roster, trimming 29 players, with a clear aim to keep the Chiefs lean at quarterback and maximize upside across skill positions. The backfield blends Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, and Brashard Smith, while Rashee Rice headlines a WR group that also includes Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Travis Kelce anchors the tight end room alongside Noah Gray and Noah Wiley, with Robert Tonyan likely to rejoin. The o-line stays compact at nine, and the defense rotates around Karlaftis, Jones, Tillery, Nnadi, and Tranquill. Rice’s suspension timeline adds a wrinkle early, and waivers will shape the practice squad long before Week 1 in Brazil against the Chargers.

KC’s waiver strategy centers on re-signing potential practice-squad gems and the possibility of Tonyan returning as a veteran option. The roster also hints at how the Chiefs will deploy depth along the DL, LB, and secondary, especially with Nazeeh Johnson sidelined to start the first four games. The Chiefs’ Week 1 plan remains fluid, but the path to a strong fantasy season is anchored in Mahomes, Kelce, and a high-ceiling WR corps backed by a versatile backfield and a defense ready to lean on pressure from the edge and run-stopping interior.»