The Kansas City Chiefs are nearing the cut date of August 31st. After the team's fourth and final preseason game (against the Green Bay Packers), the team will begin cutting down from 90 to 53 roster members. Here is a sneak preview of three on the roster bubble, and on the verge of being released.

3. Carlos Hyde – RB

The writing is on the wall for Carlos Hyde. Though the Chiefs signed the former 49er/Brown/Jaguar early in the offseason, they've given his snaps to the likes of Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson; as Damien Williams takes the cake for the starter.

According to ESPN's Adam Teicher, Hyde's been regulated to backup snaps in training camp, as recently as Monday. Throughout the preseason, he's earned speculation from those close with the Chiefs that he will be gone, in favor of Thompson; an undersized back with the power that says otherwise.

Luckily, Hyde shouldn't go unsigned for long if cut. As recently as 2017 he looked the part of a bell-cow back. While he may not be one now, teams longing for depth (cough, the Houston Texans, cough) will be intrigued by his skill set. But, not the Chiefs, as indicated by his eight rush attempts in three preseason games.

2. Xavier Williams – DT

The Chiefs brought in Xavier Williams to stop the run in 2018; but the former Arizona Cardinal didn't perform up to expectations in his first season. In his first season as a Chief, the interior run-stuffer started just four games and tallied 47 total tackles and 2.5 sacks

In 2019 preseason and training camp football, Williams hasn't given a vote of confidence to stay on the team. According to Chiefs Wire's Charles Goldman, Williams has dealt with back issues for much of training camp — which can be an extensive recovery considering Williams measures in at 6-foot-4, 311-pounds.

In Emmanuel Ogbah and Khalen Saunders, Kansas City has their (youthful) options to replace Williams. Ogbah came via a trade from the Cleveland Browns; he's different from Williams in that he's a better pass-rusher than run defender. Saunders fits the need of a run-stuffer if Williams is to be released.

1. Tremon Smith – RB

Tremon Smith is an interesting case. As a rookie in 2018, the Chiefs used the cornerback sparingly on offense, as he was a priority returner. Head coach Andy Reid saw his athleticism as a returner and decided to switch him to running back, as he said earlier in training camp:

“I messed with him last year that I was gonna play him a little on the offensive side, so I moved him over today just to take a peek at him. We’ll see how that goes. We know he can be a corner. But I’d like to see him do some offensive stuff, too,” via The Kansas City Star‘s Sam McDowell. 

That learning curve from cornerback to NFL running back may take a while; that's shown in his lone performance as a running back, tallying five yards on three attempts in preseason Week 1.

The Chiefs aren't in the business of keeping developmental players — especially on an offense as deep as theirs. While he may have promise at the position and could act as a returner in 2019, the Chiefs have their running back group set and could give the role to rookie Mecole Hardman. In all likelihood, Smith should hone his craft on the practice squad.