{"id":658637,"date":"2026-01-06T14:36:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T14:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/658637\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T14:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T14:36:15","slug":"chiefs-raiders-snap-counts-kansas-city-unleashes-its-roster-depth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/658637\/","title":{"rendered":"Chiefs-Raiders snap counts: Kansas City unleashes its roster depth"},"content":{"rendered":"

To wrap up the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> lost 14-12<\/a> to the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> on a game-deciding field goal in the final seconds.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at how Kansas City used its players in their final opportunity to gain experience with live reps until August:<\/p>\n

Starters (offensive): WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Marquise Brown, TE Travis Kelce, LT Esa Pole, LG Kingsley Suamataia, C Creed Humphrey, RG Hunter Nourzad, RT Chukwuebuka Godrick, WR Jalen Royals, QB Chris Oladokun and RB Brashard Smith.<\/p>\n

Starters (defensive): DE Michael Danna, DT Chris Jones, DT Derrick Nnadi, DE Ashton Gillotte, LB Cooper McDonald, LB Nick Bolton, LB Drue Tranquill, CB Kristian Fulton, CB Nohl Williams, S Bryan Cook and S Chamarri Conner.<\/p>\n

Inactive: WR Xavier Worthy, RB Isiah Pacheco, CB Melvin Smith Jr., DE George Karlaftis, DE Tyreke Smith, G Trey Smith and NT Mike Pennel.<\/p>\n

With a long list of veterans ruled out or on the Reserve\/Injured list in Week 18, it was time for the Chiefs\u2019 rookie draft class to be showcased. On offense and defense, every available draft pick played the highest rate of snaps with their respective unit this season:<\/p>\n

CB Nohl Williams (100% of defensive snaps)DE Ashton Gillotte (75% of defensive snaps)WR Jalen Royals (68% of offensive snaps)LB Jeffrey Bassa (35% of defensive snaps)RB Brashard Smith (53% of offensive snaps)\"Screenshot\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Screenshot<\/p>\n

Smith was the lead ball carrier against the Raiders. He was on the field for 12 running plays, doubling the number of snaps running back Kareem Hunt saw in that phase. He was also the Chiefs\u2019 punt returner for the second consecutive week. Smith took advantage of those opportunities and flashed playmaking ability, leading to a question for the coaching staff: Why wasn\u2019t he featured in the offense more this season?<\/p>\n

Royals was in formation for 77% of Kansas City\u2019s passing plays in Las Vegas. It was the rookie wideout\u2019s first opportunity to contribute to the Chiefs\u2019 passing game; before Week 18, Royals had four passing snaps the entire season.<\/p>\n

When the Chiefs\u2019 offense took the field in Week 18, there was a surprising first-time starter along the offensive line: second-year lineman Hunter Nourzad, who replaced Mike Caliendo at right guard. In the four games starting right guard Trey Smith missed, Caliendo was the substitute each time.<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Screenshot<\/p>\n

Nourzad played 100% of the snaps in Las Vegas, while Caliendo was a sixth offensive lineman in formation on each of his three offensive snaps. That is a role reversal; in the second half of the season, Nourzad was often the player brought in as the sixth man. While the lineup change could have been a short-term strategy to see more from Nourzad, the coaching staff may have seen enough of Caliendo to look elsewhere for a reliable backup guard in the future.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that tight end Jared Wiley played a season-high 19% of the offensive snaps, including 35% of running plays. When he was drafted, it was clear that Wiley could be a playmaking pass catcher. Still, he will need to do more to carve out a larger role in the offense next year. The extended playing time on running calls was a valuable experience for him.<\/p>\n

Throughout the season, the Chiefs\u2019 defensive lineup was tweaked in a search for the right starting 11 players. The back-and-forth playing time was most apparent in the secondary.<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Screenshot<\/p>\n

Safety Jaden Hicks was a victim of that constant change. The fluctuation of the second-year safety\u2019s snap counts indicates the coaching staff\u2019s lack of trust in him. However, he kept playing hard and finished the season strong. In Las Vegas, Hicks made one of the best plays a Kansas City safety has made all year when he ranged over the top of a deep throw and laid out to deflect the ball away.<\/p>\n

The Chiefs\u2019 defense was expected to feature Hicks similarly to former Chiefs\u2019 safety Justin Reid, but that may have been too tall an order for the 23-year-old this year. With a strong finish to this season, Hicks has momentum to realize his potential in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n

Offense\tAll\tPass\tRun
\nTotal\t62
(100%)\t39
(100%)\t23
(100%)
\nCreed Humphrey\t62
(100%)\t39
(100%)\t23
(100%)
\nHunter Nourzad\t62
(100%)\t39
(100%)\t23
(100%)
\nEsa Pole\t62
(100%)\t39
(100%)\t23
(100%)
\nKingsley Suamataia\t62
(100%)\t39
(100%)\t23
(100%)
\nChukwuebuka Godrick\t61
(98%)\t38
(97%)\t23
(100%)
\nMarquise Brown\t50
(81%)\t34
(87%)\t16
(70%)
\nTravis Kelce\t50
(81%)\t34
(87%)\t16
(70%)
\nJuJu Smith-Schuster\t48
(77%)\t31
(79%)\t17
(74%)
\nJalen Royals\t42
(68%)\t30
(77%)\t12
(52%)
\nNoah Gray\t34
(55%)\t17
(44%)\t17
(74%)
\nChris Oladokun\t33
(53%)\t20
(51%)\t13
(57%)
\nBrashard Smith\t33
(53%)\t21
(54%)\t12
(52%)
\nShane Buechele\t29
(47%)\t19
(49%)\t10
(43%)
\nKareem Hunt\t24
(39%)\t18
(46%)\t6
(26%)
\nJared Wiley\t12
(19%)\t4
(10%)\t8
(35%)
\nDameon Pierce\t5
(8%)\t0
(0%)\t5
(22%)
\nJason Brownlee\t5
(8%)\t3
(8%)\t2
(9%)
\nMike Caliendo\t3
(5%)\t0
(0%)\t3
(13%)
\nJaylon Moore\t2
(3%)\t1
(3%)\t1
(4%)
\nRobert Tonyan\t2
(3%)\t2
(5%)\t0
(0%)
\nJimmy Holiday\t1
(2%)\t1
(3%)\t0
(0%)\t<\/p>\n

Defense\tAll\tPass\tRun
\nTotal\t60
(100%)\t29
(100%)\t31
(100%)
\nNick Bolton\t60
(100%)\t29
(100%)\t31
(100%)
\nChamarri Conner\t60
(100%)\t29
(100%)\t31
(100%)
\nKristian Fulton\t60
(100%)\t29
(100%)\t31
(100%)
\nNohl Williams\t60
(100%)\t29
(100%)\t31
(100%)
\nBryan Cook\t59
(98%)\t28
(97%)\t31
(100%)
\nAshton Gillotte\t45
(75%)\t21
(72%)\t24
(77%)
\nCharles Omenihu\t39
(65%)\t24
(83%)\t15
(48%)
\nMichael Danna\t36
(60%)\t18
(62%)\t18
(58%)
\nJaden Hicks\t36
(60%)\t21
(72%)\t15
(48%)
\nDerrick Nnadi\t36
(60%)\t12
(41%)\t24
(77%)
\nJerry Tillery\t32
(53%)\t10
(34%)\t22
(71%)
\nDrue Tranquill\t30
(50%)\t13
(45%)\t17
(55%)
\nCooper McDonald\t25
(42%)\t9
(31%)\t16
(52%)
\nChris Jones\t22
(37%)\t16
(55%)\t6
(19%)
\nJeff Bassa\t21
(35%)\t8
(28%)\t13
(42%)
\nKevin Knowles II\t14
(23%)\t12
(41%)\t2
(6%)
\nZacch Pickens\t12
(20%)\t5
(17%)\t7
(23%)
\nEthan Downs\t10
(17%)\t4
(14%)\t6
(19%)
\nMike Edwards\t3
(5%)\t2
(7%)\t1
(3%)\t<\/p>\n

Special Teams\tSnaps
\nTotal\t32
(100%)
\nJack Cochrane\t28
(88%)
\nJaden Hicks\t27
(84%)
\nCooper McDonald\t27
(84%)
\nJoshua Williams\t25
(78%)
\nJeff Bassa\t23
(72%)
\nCole Christiansen\t23
(72%)
\nEthan Downs\t22
(69%)
\nNazeeh Johnson\t21
(66%)
\nKevin Knowles II\t18
(56%)
\nJalen Royals\t16
(50%)
\nBrashard Smith\t12
(38%)
\nMatt Araiza\t10
(31%)
\nHarrison Butker\t10
(31%)
\nJared Wiley\t10
(31%)
\nNohl Williams\t10
(31%)
\nJames Winchester\t10
(31%)
\nNick Bolton\t5
(16%)
\nMichael Danna\t5
(16%)
\nDerrick Nnadi\t5
(16%)
\nJerry Tillery\t5
(16%)
\nDrue Tranquill\t5
(16%)
\nMike Caliendo\t4
(13%)
\nNoah Gray\t4
(13%)
\nC.J. Hanson\t4
(13%)
\nCreed Humphrey\t4
(13%)
\nJaylon Moore\t4
(13%)
\nHunter Nourzad\t4
(13%)
\nEsa Pole\t4
(13%)
\nKingsley Suamataia\t4
(13%)
\nBryan Cook\t2
(6%)
\nAshton Gillotte\t1
(3%)\t<\/p>\n

All Snaps\tOff\tDef\tST\tTotal
\nTotal\t62
(100%)\t60
(100%)\t32
(100%)\t154
(100%)
\nMatt Araiza\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t10
(31%)\t10
(6%)
\nJeff Bassa\t0
(0%)\t21
(35%)\t23
(72%)\t44
(29%)
\nNick Bolton\t0
(0%)\t60
(100%)\t5
(16%)\t65
(42%)
\nMarquise Brown\t50
(81%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t50
(32%)
\nShane Buechele\t29
(47%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t29
(19%)
\nHarrison Butker\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t10
(31%)\t10
(6%)
\nMike Caliendo\t3
(5%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t7
(5%)
\nCole Christiansen\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t23
(72%)\t23
(15%)
\nJack Cochrane\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t28
(88%)\t28
(18%)
\nChamarri Conner\t0
(0%)\t60
(100%)\t0
(0%)\t60
(39%)
\nBryan Cook\t0
(0%)\t59
(98%)\t2
(6%)\t61
(40%)
\nMichael Danna\t0
(0%)\t36
(60%)\t5
(16%)\t41
(27%)
\nEthan Downs\t0
(0%)\t10
(17%)\t22
(69%)\t32
(21%)
\nMike Edwards\t0
(0%)\t3
(5%)\t0
(0%)\t3
(2%)
\nKristian Fulton\t0
(0%)\t60
(100%)\t0
(0%)\t60
(39%)
\nAshton Gillotte\t0
(0%)\t45
(75%)\t1
(3%)\t46
(30%)
\nChukwuebuka Godrick\t61
(98%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t61
(40%)
\nNoah Gray\t34
(55%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t38
(25%)
\nC.J. Hanson\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t4
(3%)
\nJaden Hicks\t0
(0%)\t36
(60%)\t27
(84%)\t63
(41%)
\nCreed Humphrey\t62
(100%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t66
(43%)
\nKareem Hunt\t24
(39%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t24
(16%)
\nNazeeh Johnson\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t21
(66%)\t21
(14%)
\nChris Jones\t0
(0%)\t22
(37%)\t0
(0%)\t22
(14%)
\nTravis Kelce\t50
(81%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t50
(32%)
\nKevin Knowles II\t0
(0%)\t14
(23%)\t18
(56%)\t32
(21%)
\nCooper McDonald\t0
(0%)\t25
(42%)\t27
(84%)\t52
(34%)
\nJaylon Moore\t2
(3%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t6
(4%)
\nDerrick Nnadi\t0
(0%)\t36
(60%)\t5
(16%)\t41
(27%)
\nHunter Nourzad\t62
(100%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t66
(43%)
\nChris Oladokun\t33
(53%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t33
(21%)
\nCharles Omenihu\t0
(0%)\t39
(65%)\t0
(0%)\t39
(25%)
\nZacch Pickens\t0
(0%)\t12
(20%)\t0
(0%)\t12
(8%)
\nDameon Pierce\t5
(8%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t5
(3%)
\nEsa Pole\t62
(100%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t66
(43%)
\nJalen Royals\t42
(68%)\t0
(0%)\t16
(50%)\t58
(38%)
\nBrashard Smith\t33
(53%)\t0
(0%)\t12
(38%)\t45
(29%)
\nJuJu Smith-Schuster\t48
(77%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t48
(31%)
\nKingsley Suamataia\t62
(100%)\t0
(0%)\t4
(13%)\t66
(43%)
\nJerry Tillery\t0
(0%)\t32
(53%)\t5
(16%)\t37
(24%)
\nRobert Tonyan\t2
(3%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t2
(1%)
\nDrue Tranquill\t0
(0%)\t30
(50%)\t5
(16%)\t35
(23%)
\nJared Wiley\t12
(19%)\t0
(0%)\t10
(31%)\t22
(14%)
\nJoshua Williams\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t25
(78%)\t25
(16%)
\nNohl Williams\t0
(0%)\t60
(100%)\t10
(31%)\t70
(45%)
\nJames Winchester\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t10
(31%)\t10
(6%)
\nJason Brownlee\t5
(8%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t5
(3%)
\nJimmy Holiday\t1
(2%)\t0
(0%)\t0
(0%)\t1
(1%)\t<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Arrowhead Pride obtains snap count data from the NFL\u2019s game stats and information system, which allows us to break out snap counts by run or pass on offensive and defensive plays. Because GSIS data ignores plays that were nullified by penalties, total offensive and defensive snap counts will vary from other sources, which get their data from NFL Gamebooks<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"To wrap up the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs lost 14-12 to the Las Vegas Raiders on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":658638,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2063],"tags":[346,7,118,110,80177,1193,2438,2437,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-658637","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kansas-city-chiefs","8":"tag-chiefs","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-kansas-city","11":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs","12":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs-analysis","13":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs-roster","14":"tag-kansascity","15":"tag-kansascitychiefs","16":"tag-nfl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115848661475340834","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/658637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=658637"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/658637\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/658638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=658637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=658637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=658637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}