Kansas City Chiefs: Five Chiefs Whose Bubbles May Burst Vs Packers

For some Kansas City Chiefs players, this week's final preseason tilt against the Green Bay Packers represents one last opportunity for them to make an impression on the coaches that will decide their professional fate.

Of the players on the bubble, most are guys who will be expected to contribute heavily on special teams should they make the final 53-man roster. None of these guys are flashy big name players, and you won't see any of them returning a kick for a touchdown. However, they will be attempting to make the grade based upon how they perform on the Chiefs coverage units, and their final exam is this Thursday.

Here are five players who could win or lose a roster spot depending upon their performance against the Packers.

Defensive Lineman: Alex Magee

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 20: Alex Magee #71 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

When the Chiefs drafted Magee last year, they were anticipating that he'd be able to contribute at both the tackle and end position. While he has seen time at both positions, he hasn't stood out at either.

With the emergence of other young players like tackle Derek Lokey and end Wallace Gilberry, Magee's days in Kansas City may be numbered if he can't make some plays against the Packers.

He needs to show the coaches he can make some plays inside on rush defense, and put some pressure on the quarterback when Green Bay throws the ball.

Linebacker: Pierre Walters

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 29: Pierre Walters #97 of the Kansas City Chiefs on the sidelines against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 29, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Second year linebacker Pierre Walters is one of the those players that general manager Scott Pioli is indirectly referring to when he says guys at different positions are competing with one another for jobs based upon their play on special teams.

Walters has made plays, making nine tackles in the Chiefs first three preseason games, but that may not be enough to beat out fellow linebacker David Herron. He will need to outshine Herron on special teams on Thursday if he wants to be wearing Chiefs red when the team opens the regular season against the Chargers on September 13.

Safety: DaJuan Morgan

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 20: Running back Jerome Harrison #35 of the Cleveland Browns outruns DaJuan Morgan #38 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game on December 20, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Three things happened during the offseason that are hurting safety DaJuan Morgan's chances of making this football team: 1) the team drafted Eric Berry, 2) they drafted Kendrick Lewis, and 3) they moved Donald Washington from corner to safety.

In addition, second-year player Rashard Langford has impressed coaches with his play on special teams, and is likely ahead of Morgan in the competition for a backup safety spot.

For Morgan, who has played in 28 regular season games for the Chiefs the past two seasons, he will need to not only impress coaches with his special teams play, but play a big role in pass defense against the Packers. Anything short of three or four tackles and a couple pass breakups, and he is likely gone.

Fullback: Mike Cox

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KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Mike Cox #42 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with a reception during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on August 16, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

If the Chiefs choose to keep five running backs, Cox's job is likely safe. However, with Cox battling the more versatile Tim Castille for fullback honors and the fact that he has lost playing time on special teams, if they Chiefs go with just four runners, Cox could be in trouble.

This could be yet another one of those examples where a player at another position, perhaps a Pierre Walters or a Jeremy Horne, takes away the job that Cox is trying to secure.

For Cox to make the team, he'll need to bury a few linebackers ahead of Jackie Battle on Thursday, and hope that some other guys falter on special teams. If not, this hard-nosed kid from Georgia Tech may have worn the red and gold for the last time.

Wide Receiver: Quinten Lawrence

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 20: Quinten Lawrence #14 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

When the Chiefs selected both Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas in April's NFL Draft, it became abundantly clear that they wanted to improve their return game.

No player was more affected by the selections of McCluster and Arenas then wide receiver and return man Quinten Lawrence.

Lawrence has yet to turn into the return man the Chiefs thought he could be coming out of McNeese State. And while it was thought that he may be able to work his way into the wide receiver rotation as a deep threat, rookie Jeremy Horne appears to have the edge on Lawrence there as well.

If Lawrence is going to keep his job, he's going to have to show up in a big way on Thursday. A couple big returns and a couple of catches on deep balls in the passing game are likely the only way Lawrence can make the team, which is appearing less and less likely.