As the whirlwind of the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp slowed down during Tuesday’s off day, I took a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned about the team during its time up at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The obvious lessons have come on offense, where undrafted free agent wide receiver Justyn Ross has seamlessly meshed with the starters — and is now projected by Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney to make the 53-man roster. Running back Deneric Prince has also made a strong first impression with the first-team offense — and for a while, has been considered a strong candidate to make the team as a kickoff returner.

But let’s take a look at three players — all of whom have backgrounds with the team — who might not be on September’s opening roster, but have nonetheless been making strong cases for themselves.

1. Tight end Matt Bushman

“What OTAs he had,” Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy recently said of Bushman. “He did a really good job in OTAs. The guy doesn’t drop the football — and he is always in the right spot at the right time. We say, ‘He’s just slow enough to be in the spot.’”

Bushman is in his second training camp with the Chiefs, hoping to build on last year’s strong preseason. For Bushman, one of those exhibition games included three receptions and two touchdowns — one of them a 54-yard catch-and-run.

Unfortunately, he has battled through numerous wounds. Right before his senior year of college, he tore his Achilles. As a result, he was not selected in the subsequent NFL Draft and signed a UDFA contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. In the same preseason game in Kansas City that he scored twice the year before, he shattered his collarbone. He missed the entirety of last year as a result.

The role that Jody Fortson held for the previous two seasons as the complementary receiving threat behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray is now available to the 27-year-old. But Fortson was having erratic practices prior to his most recent shoulder injury, and ever since, Bushman has worked extensively with the starters.

It may leave the door open for Bushman to sneak in ahead of the fan-favorite playmaker.

2. Defensive end Malik Herring

As I’ve observed the Chiefs’ defensive line in St. Joseph, I have come away believing that Herring simply looks like he belongs on the team — that he should be part of the rotation. in In his 53-man projection, Pete Sweeney said much the same thing.

That might be because he made the initial roster in 2022 — but was only active for seven games, collecting six tackles and a fumble recovery in 88 snaps. Coming into this season, it is probably easy to overlook his development in favor of fresh-faced draft picks — or a veteran on a one-year deal.

However, the former undrafted free agent may be only now realizing his potential in his third season with the Chiefs. Herring tore his ACL at the Senior Bowl prior to the 2021 NFL Draft, which negatively impacted his draft position. The injury ended the first season of the Georgia-born, athletic defensive lineman.

Herring appears to be more than just a roster filler now that the injury has been healed after more than two years. He can generate reliable snaps versus the run and the pass and possesses inside-outside versatility. He also has long, powerful arms. He may currently be considered the fifth player in the EDGE rotation, but he is potential of assuming a more significant role if another player were to go down.

3. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton

When the team signed this former first-round pick during the 2022 preseason, it felt like his hulking presence could help the team’s interior. But Shelton didn’t make the initial roster— and was elevated from the practice squad for just one game.

But in this camp, Shelton has stood out both to me and AP film analyst Caleb James — but not for the reason you might think. Shelton actually looks like he’s in better shape than he was last year — and that may lead to a better chance he could contribute.

Right now, he is running as the second-team nose tackle behind starter Derrick Nnadi. He’s been a handful for the second-team offensive line — especially against the run. Could Shelton unseat Nnadi? Last season’s poor run defense can be traced to lackluster play in the middle of the line, so I’ve never felt good about simply putting Nnadi back in there.

It’s plausible if Shelton spent a year with the team developing into the player the Chiefs desired in 2022. It makes little sense to keep both veterans when rookie nose tackle Keondre Coburn is waiting for his opportunity. There is only one problem: Nnadi is due a guaranteed $1 million salary in 2023.

Even yet, Kansas City has in the past released players who had contracts with guaranteed pay; linebacker Jermaine Carter is an example from last year. However, this time around may be different because Nnadi has been with the organization for the longest. But it’s also the reason he was able to rejoin the practice squad without having to pass waivers.