Chiefs 2022 53-Man Roster Prediction: Specialists

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Making an NFL team’s 53-man roster for the start of the season is incredibly challenging. Some spots are filled more for niche roles and experience, rather than just simply draft status or ability. Meanwhile, special teams can make certain position battles more intense, especially for the final depth pieces looking to make it. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different than other teams.

For instance, they find themselves having to make tough decisions in key spots. This team also underwent a massive amount of changes this offseason. As a result, the opportunities are there for the taking at many spots on the 53-man roster. Though, expectations may vary all across the depth chart, at the same time.

We are one day away from teams having to officially announce their 53-man roster. We have gone position by position, giving our best predictions of who will make the cut for the Chiefs in 2022. Practice squads will once again be maxed out at 16 players as well. In addition to the 53-man roster, we have made our best bets at who may make it back to Kansas City as part of the practice squad. We have completed 53-man roster predictions for all other eight positions. To read those, click on each position: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB

To close things out, we will list the three specialists at kicker, punter and long snapper. We will also give bonus picks for the punt returner and kick returner. Let’s kick it off.

Kansas City Takes Great Pride In Special Teams

We have seen how much the 53-man roster is influenced by special teams coach Dave Toub. Many depth pieces are almost known more for their special teams work when they are not starting. Generally, the Chiefs have ranked in the top half of the league in special teams under Toub. You will occasionally see a few mistakes from time to time. But mostly, the Chiefs are able to stay afloat or ahead of teams, because of their special teams units.

Kansas City does not have any position battles for kicker, punter or long snapper. That makes that part of the predictions cut and dry to reach 53. However, the intrigue of who will begin the year at kick or punt returner is piquing. Of course, we have already predicted the return men to make the 53-man roster at other positions. It seems like we will get two rookies getting a chance to return kicks and punts to open the season, though. Both Isiah Pacheco and Skyy Moore are ready to prove themselves in those areas. As stated during the preseason, it is rare for this Chiefs regime to allow rookies to return kicks. Will they maintain trust in them at those specific spots?

From Castoff To One Of The Best

It is wild to think that Harrison Butker has become one of the better kickers in the NFL, given his path to Kansas City. After the Chiefs placed Cairo Santos on injured reserve in 2017, Butker was signed off of the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. For some teams, finding that immediate success from a move like that is unheard of. Thankfully for the Chiefs, Butker has largely been one of the more accurate kickers since then.

A few extra points have been missed. However, his ability to continue to come through in the clutch has been vital for the Chiefs. Kansas City saw him make kicks from 50 yards or more to either win games or keep them in it. Looking at his kicks in the playoffs, Butker has basically been automatic.

Double T

Tommy Townsend enters his third season as the Chiefs punter. There is not much to his job, compared to other players. He does have to be pinpoint when his chances come, nevertheless. Once in a while, Townsend has shanked some shorter punts. He has mostly been able to provide a large boot and make it challenging for returners, though. We have seen Townsend be successful on a fake punt pass a couple of times too.

Ol’ Reliable

Last of the full-time specialists, James Winchester has been the long snapper for the Chiefs since 2015. It is not a popular or glamorous job, of course. But, Winchester is still seen as a comedic part of the Kansas City locker room. He has been a great character to have on the Franchise series and on other Chiefs social media platforms, providing behind the scenes content.

Leave It To The Rookies

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As mentioned above, it will be interesting to see if these two rookies can handle these return roles all year long. Pacheco brings a tremendous blend of size, speed and contact balance, as mentioned before. Making quick, smart decisions will be important in this kick returner spot during the early portion of the season.

The same idea will be something to watch in the case of Moore. Skyy has instant burst, being able to reach his top speed within a couple of steps. Moore’s spatial awareness and strength for his size make him incredibly difficult to bring down. We saw that play out in many facets for him at Western Michigan.

Prediction

Kicker: Harrison Butker

Punter: Tommy Townsend

Long Snapper: James Winchester

Kick Returner: Isiah Pacheco

Punt Returner: Skyy Moore

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.