The Kansas City Chiefs opened the 2021 NFL preseason, getting to see the 90-man offseason roster in game day activities for the first time.
We can’t glean quite as much from the Chiefs’ preseason snaps counts as we can in the regular season. It’s still a worthy endeavor to dive in and check out the observations we can make.
Here’s how the snaps shook out in preseason Week 1:
*Snap counts via NFL Game Statistics and Information System
Observations
- OL Nick Allegretti played a lot of snaps against the 49ers. I’m not sure if this is indicative of his future with the team or how little depth the Chiefs currently have on the offensive interior due to injuries.
- Of the Chiefs’ skill players, TE Jody Fortson led the team with the most combined snaps on offense and special teams. The Chiefs clearly wanted an extended look at the WR-to-TE convert.
- The starting offensive line played just 11 snaps in their debut and really that’s all they needed to impress. The pocket looked clean for the most part and they were getting plenty of push in the ground game.
- QB Anthony Gordon had the most snaps of any quarterback and seemed to come away as the least impressive. I wouldn’t be surprised if Shane Buechele got a look with the third team next week.
- FB Michael Burton seemed to get the starter treatment, only playing 16 combined offense and special teams snaps. I figured he would get more work in his debut, but I’d say his roster spot is close to secure at this point.
- LB Ben Niemann also got the starter treatment in Kansas City, coming out of the game after 15 combined snaps on defense and special teams. Chiefs fans better get used to the idea of him being on the team in 2021.
- It’s hard to tell much about the cornerback competition with the snap counts, but CB Deandre Baker did get the longest look with 29 total snaps on defense. Mike Hughes had the fewest defensive snaps of those competing for that No. 2 spot, with just 16 snaps on the evening. Hughes was in coverage on Trey Lance’s 80-yard touchdown pass.
- Chiefs rookie DE Joshua Kaindoh played the most defensive snaps of any player on Saturday. His performance wasn’t particularly flashy, but the more repetitions he gets, the better.
- Juan Thornhill came in right behind Kaindoh with 40 snaps on the evening. It’s understandable why the third-year player is receiving repetitions behind Daniel Sorensen at this point, but you’d like to see Thornhill take a step forward when he gets the opportunity to play.
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