Chiefs stock watch: Who’s rising and who’s falling after the first week of camp?

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The fun is over.

The moment arrived for the Chiefs just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the fourth day of full-team activities during their month-long training camp. The sound the players heard was the horn, that blaring announcement that practice was over, the final such practice before the Chiefs are the NFL’s first team this season to have a fully padded practice, an occasion Friday morning that will bring plenty of pre-work excitement and plenty of post-work exhaustion.

Wednesday, though, featured several entertaining moments for the Chiefs’ offense. The first trick play during camp involved Patrick Mahomes throwing a swing pass to receiver Richie James, who, with his left hand, completed a deep pass to receiver speedy Marquez Valdes-Scantling. A few repetitions even included receiver Skyy Moore in the backfield with running back Jerick McKinnon — and Mahomes lining up on the perimeter as a receiver.

“We have a good time,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “There’s so many plays in this playbook. We like to be able to keep the fun in practice with the players, as long as they do it the right way. That’s the beauty of Coach (Andy) Reid’s offense.”

🚨 Trick play alert! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/dr1nLIt5jk

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 26, 2023

But Friday’s practice likely means the Chiefs will be all business, the first test within the trenches between the offensive linemen and defensive linemen, the first skirmish between the tight ends and the safeties and the first tussle between running backs and linebackers.

Since Wednesday’s practice served as the end to the first week of camp, here’s an assessment of the players who have stood out and those who are on the wrong end of a position battle — or even in danger of not earning a spot on the initial 53-man roster — as the Chiefs move closer to Aug. 13, their preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints, and Aug. 29, the NFL’s cutdown day.

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Rising

Deneric Prince, running back

Just like last year, we start with a running back who has captivated the Chiefs’ coaching staff and personnel department. Last year, that player was Isiah Pacheco, who was selected in the seventh round of the draft and became a star, producing one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in franchise history. This year, Prince has generated similar buzz as an undrafted rookie who has made highlights — such as leaping over linebackers Willie Gay and Cole Christiansen for receptions — and has showcased a rugged running style.

“I feel he’s got that chip on his shoulder,” cornerback Trent McDuffie said of Prince after Tuesday’s practice. “That’s something you saw with Pop last year. He’s kind of just like, ‘They didn’t give me a shot, but I’m going to go make one for myself.’ … I love that kind of thing. He’s really trying to grind. That’s only going to make everybody else better.”

Deneric Prince, an undrafted rookie running back, has also made some solid plays to begin camp. pic.twitter.com/VcUGGtfXtc

— Chris Roush (@chrisRroush) July 24, 2023

At this point, the Chiefs should really consider having four running backs on their 53-man roster — Pacheco, McKinnon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Prince.

Prince is the lone undrafted rookie worthy of a roster spot right now.

“I’m excited about him,” center Creed Humphrey said of Prince. “He’s looking really good so far — big, physical, fast. He’s got some talent.”

Matt Bushman, tight end

Let’s have Nagy explain why Bushman is ascending.

“The guy doesn’t drop the ball,” Nagy said. “He’s always in the right spot at the right time.”

Even better for the Chiefs, Bushman looks faster and more confident in the Chiefs’ scheme after spending last season on the practice squad. One of the team periods Tuesday included Mahomes completing a pass to Bushman, who caught the ball against tight coverage from McDuffie. A stellar preseason from Bushman could lead to him earning a roster spot.

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Justyn Ross, receiver

On Sunday, during the first full-team practice, the first major mover on the depth chart was Ross. Just minutes after Kadarius Toney sustained his knee injury, Ross was selected by the coaching staff to receive first-team repetitions, a very encouraging sign for his development.

The best moment for Ross on Wednesday came when he was when he made a one-handed catch from Mahomes near the sideline against tight coverage from McDuffie.

“He’s a bigger receiver, but when you watch him, he really excels at route running,” Nagy said of Ross. “He’s learning his timing, for Pat to understand how he runs routes. It’s going to be immense growth for him, in a good way.”

Justyn Ross with a one-handed catch pic.twitter.com/yF4XE7ECus

— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) July 26, 2023

Entering camp, Ross was the dark-horse candidate to earn the final roster spot at the position. Ross joined the Chiefs last year as an undrafted rookie but didn’t play after undergoing another foot surgery just before camp. Ross’ NFL journey began with long and grueling rehab. He began sprinting and working on his route-running techniques in early February, even before the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to become Super Bowl LVII champions.

Rashee Rice, receiver

Since Toney’s injury, Rice is the receiver who has received the most reps with the first-team offense. Rice appears to be making fewer mistakes with each passing day, and his catching ability — whether with routine passes, fastballs between multiple defenders or perfect passes from Mahomes just over the outstretched arms of a defender — has been splendid.

“You look for baby steps of growth, learning this offense,” Nagy said of Rice. “He comes from a no-huddle offense (at SMU). But it’s a little bit different with the tempo of hearing a huddle play, getting to the line of scrimmage, running your route, having conversions with it and yet being on time jogging back and doing it again. Every day, he’s made incremental improvements.”

Another highlight for Rashee Rice!

Mahomes finds him in the endzone for 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/2LPad1YIAt

— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) July 25, 2023

In Monday’s red-zone period, Mahomes threw a perfect pass toward the corner of the end zone as the ball was placed just past the outstretched left arm of McDuffie. Rice made a diving catch, sparking a celebration by his teammates.

Drue Tranquill, linebacker

Tranquill, a five-year veteran who joined the Chiefs on a one-year, $3 million deal, has been the defender who has forced the most incompletions in the past two practices.

Last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, Tranquill earned the seventh-highest coverage grade (75.4) among all linebackers with 900 or more snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Early into camp, you can see why. Tranquill has shown impressive repetitions as a blitzer and in coverage, including multiple pass breakups in the middle of the field against Mahomes.

Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo increased Tranquill’s repetitions with the first-team defense Wednesday. When discussing Tranquill’s possible role, Spagnuolo said it’s possible he could be the first linebacker in Spagnuolo’s tenure to play a combination of all three positions throughout the season.

“I’ve had a bunch of free agents come into the system in the years I’ve been here, and sometimes it takes a little while for guys to get comfortable with their surroundings, with their teammates,” Spagnuolo said. “With Drue, it’s like he stepped right in and he had been here for three years, in terms of communicating with his teammates, what he did off of the field, how much of a pro he is. He’s had a great influence, not just in the linebacker room but the defense in general.”

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Richie James, receiver

Unless things drastically change, James’ spot on the roster appears quite secure. James is the primary option for punt returner when the Chiefs start the preseason, and he has established a solid connection with Mahomes.

“You can tell he’s been in other offenses,” Nagy said of James, a six-year veteran. “Some of these wideouts, you know when they have a feel and they know the timing with the quarterback. They understand the defense, they know when to speed up their route, they know when to slow down their route, they know how to play in zone. He’s got that. I’m excited to see what he does this preseason.”

Nazeeh Johnson, cornerback

One of the minor subplots that has developed early in camp is that Johnson, a seventh-round pick from last year, is getting plenty of reps with the first-team defense. A year ago, the Chiefs weren’t sure if Johnson would best fit Spagnuolo’s system as a safety or a cornerback. But Johnson has played corner exclusively so far in camp. His recovery and timing for when to disrupt a pass have been critical to his success.

In Tuesday’s practice, Johnson did an effective job, with safety Justin Reid, in covering receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Reid finished the play with a pass breakup.

Johnson’s two best reps came Monday as he created a pass breakup while covering Ross, one of which was a deep pass from backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Nazeeh said nope ❌@JohnsonNazeeh | #ChiefsCamp pic.twitter.com/y0t6taIjlG

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 24, 2023

Falling

Jaylen Watson, cornerback

Johnson’s ascension appears to have disrupted Watson’s repetitions the most. All of Watson’s reps in Wednesday’s practice came with the second-team defense, a surprise since he entered camp in position to compete for the final starting spot alongside McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed. In the team’s work Sunday and Monday, the Chiefs limited the snaps for Sneed (knee) and McDuffie (calf and fibula) since both missed most of the offseason program.

After Monday’s practice, Spagnuolo gave a sharp critique of one of his second-year cornerbacks not named McDuffie or Johnson.

“I had to remind one of them — and I won’t say who — that he was going back to his rookie habits instead of where he eventually got to,” said Spagnuolo, who was talking about either Watson or Joshua Williams.

Mike Edwards, safety

Edwards is expected to be the third rotational safety with Reid and Bryan Cook as the starters. But Edwards has yet to show quality reps in camp. Mahomes and his pass catchers have overwhelmed Edwards, who is trying to learn Spagnuolo’s expansive scheme.

Blake Bell, tight end

Among offensive players, only Gabbert and tight end Travis Kelce (both 33) are older than Bell, 31, who appears to have lost a step in speed. It has been noticeable compared with other tight ends in Kelce, Bushman and Noah Gray.

Bell is still capable of being a quality pass catcher in the flat and the middle of the field. But if Bushman continues to excel, especially in the preseason, Bell could be in danger of losing his roster spot.

Jody Fortson, tight end

While Bushman this summer, Fortson has had one inconsistent practice after another. The big issue for Fortson a year ago was that he missed a sizable portion of camp with a strained quad, which kept him from participating in five fully padded practices.

On Wednesday, Fortson struggled on consecutive seven-on-seven reps. He gained separation from Williams but failed to secure the reception on a perfect pass from Mahomes. A few seconds later, Fortson, showing his frustration, almost slammed his helmet onto the turf. But he resisted the temptation after dropping another precise pass from Mahomes, this one with him open near the sideline.

Daniel Wise, defensive tackle

You could argue that Wise shouldn’t be included in this category. But the three-year veteran hasn’t really had a strong moment in camp yet. Of course, that could change with the padded practices. Wise, though, has received a large number of repetitions as the player elevated to the first-team defense in place of star defensive tackle Chris Jones, who is holding out for a lucrative contract extension from the Chiefs.

If Wise generates more pressure later in camp and in the preseason, he could convince the coaching staff to keep him on the roster.

Roster update

In a stunning move after Wednesday’s practice, receiver John Ross, a six-year veteran, decided to retire. The Chiefs then placed Ross on the retired list.

A former first-round pick who was selected ninth by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft — the pick just before the Chiefs traded up to select Mahomes — Ross did drop pretty quickly on the depth chart. He had a few drops and his speed, still noticeable in the offseason program, didn’t help him gain much separation.

Injury update

Toney (knee), linebackers Nick Bolton (illness) and Isaiah Moore (knee) and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee) didn’t participate in practice Wednesday.

(Photo of Deneric Prince: Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

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