Kansas City Chiefs: Youth Movement with defense
By Kyle Hull
Kansas City Chiefs: Safety Youth Breakdown
The safety position is also in need of some depth. With the best safety in the NFL in Eric Berry coming off of an Achilles injury, the Kansas City Chiefs need to add a more-reliable supporting cast.
A question up in the air right now is if Berry will come back to his normal self. An achilles injury is something that cannot be taken lightly. With the departure of Ron Parker, the Chiefs will be relying on young, and inconsistent prospects, which is an unsettling feeling. So buckle up, and dive in with me.
Strong Safety
Daniel Sorenson, and Eric Murray will be the most experienced strong safeties on the depth chart. Sorenson’s linebacker mentality is evident when he plays, as he led the team in tackles last season.
However, Sorenson’s number one weakness was exposed last season – pass coverage. As a safety, you must be reliable when in pass coverage, rather than a liability.
Murray, a young prospect has shown some promise in his two seasons with the Chiefs, however, he has yet to make a strong case for being a solid back-up behind Berry. Murray has a great opportunity this season to prove himself, as Berry will be looking for a consistent back-up.
Kendall Fuller said that Eric Berry approached him after the team meeting today to see if there was anything he didn't understand.
— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) April 17, 2018
Anyone who claims Berry isn't the leader of that defense is just wrong.
Free Safety
The Chiefs have a few prospects who can play the free safety position, yet, none of them have proven themselves. Leon McQuay III, Jordan Sterns, Devin Chappell, and Robert Golden make up the depth chart for the free safety position.
Look at the names above, besides McQuay, and the recently acquired Robert Golden, do any of the names ring a bell? For Chiefs football fanatics such as myself, of course, all of these names ring a bell. But what about the fans who just pay attention to the team on Sundays?
This is a must need for the Chiefs. The 2018 safety draft class has depth, and I would be surprised if Veach doesn’t add depth via the draft. This is a position to keep an eye on for the next few weeks.
Depth Chart Breakdown – Safety
- Eric Berry, 29-years old
- Daniel Sorensen, 28-years old
- Eric Murray, 24-years old
- Leon McQuay III, 23-years old
- Robert Golden, 27-years old
- Jordan Sterns, 23-years old
- Devin Chappell, 23-years old
- Average Safety age: 25 years old