Though the Kansas City Chiefs’ effort against the Cleveland Browns was enough to earn them their second win of the 2023 preseason, a few players fell short of making a mark on the matchup. Saturday’s tilt was the last chance for many Chiefs to justify their spot on Kansas City’s 53-man roster, and despite their best efforts, some had more impactful performances than others.
The team’s cut down to 53 players will begin in earnest early this week, and those who underwhelmed against Cleveland are more likely than others to be shown the door.
Check out our list of duds from the Chiefs’ preseason win over the Browns on Saturday:
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire was given ample opportunity to show signs of excellence in the preseason and wasn’t particularly effective when compared to Kansas City’s other running backs. He was stopped for a three-yard loss on his only attempt against Cleveland and could not catch his only target of the game.
The former first-round pick could be a trade candidate if the Chiefs can find a team willing to trade a late-round selection for Edwards-Helaire, but if there are no suitors, expect him to be cut this week.
DB Ekow Boye-Doe
Boye-Doe is likely to make Kansas City’s practice squad if he clears waivers this week but had a chance to sneak onto the Chiefs’ 53-man roster with a strong showing on Saturday.
He was only involved in one tackle and did not register a pass defensed against the Browns.
QB Shane Buechele
Buechele had a great preseason before the Chiefs’ matchup against Cleveland, where he threw two interceptions that had Kansas City on its heels early in the game. The third-year quarterback had a chance to earn the Chiefs’ backup quarterback role, but will likely be relegated to the third-string spot after his showing on Saturday.
DL Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Kansas City only registered two sacks in Week 3 of the preseason, and Anudike-Uzomah wasn’t involved in either of them. While he did record a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit, the game he put together against Cleveland was less than spectacular, especially considering the high expectations he faces as a first-round draft pick.
TE Kendall Blanton
Blanton hasn’t been able to find his groove with the Chiefs and is likely to be among the players that Kansas City cuts this week. He was targeted twice in the passing game against Cleveland but failed to come down with a catch.
WR Cornell Powell
Powell hasn’t made much of an impact for Kansas City since joining the Chiefs as a fifth-round pick in 2021 and may be on his way out as the team assesses its options at wide receiver. He managed to make two catches on three targets, but the ball that got away from him turned into an interception early in the game after bouncing off his hands.
WR Rashee Rice
Rice is sure to get reacquainted with the JUGS machine this week after coughing up several drops against the Browns, including one that looked like a sure touchdown. Though one bad game in the preseason will hardly doom his rookie season, Rice showed that there remains plenty of room for him to improve on Saturday.
