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Kansas City Chiefs: It’s too early to panic about the cornerbacks

By Travis Steffen

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 06: Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) celebrates a third down stop in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs on January 6, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 06: Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) celebrates a third down stop in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs on January 6, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 10: David Amerson #29 of the Oakland Raiders at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Raiders defeated the Titans 26-16. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 10: David Amerson #29 of the Oakland Raiders at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Raiders defeated the Titans 26-16. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

David Amerson

General manager Brett Veach brought in cornerback David Amerson, former Oakland Raiders cornerback, during the offseason but will he be able to step up in 2018? Leaving a team like the Raiders who have struggled far worse than Kansas City the past couple years at the cornerback position has people worried.

Amerson missed most of last season due to a foot injury which led to his release after signing a lucrative deal following his 2015 breakout performance. In fact, Amerson was among the AFC’s top cornerbacks just two seasons ago. During his 2015 breakout season, Pro Football Focus awarded Amerson as the most improved player that season.

During his first season with the Raiders, Amerson hauled in four of his eight career interceptions and deflected 27 passes. To put that in perspective, while Marcus Peters has the most interceptions in the league since coming in that season, he has never had more than 26 passes defended which were also in 2015. In fact, he only had nine last season.

Oakland had failed to develop or play to their cornerback’s abilities as we saw when Sean Smith left for the Raiders which has me thinking that Amerson could make a turnaround in Kansas City. During his five-year career, Amerson has a total of 56 starts, eight interceptions, and 64 pass deflections. Veach felt that Amerson fit the skillset that fits well in their press man scheme and that he has yet to reach his full potential.

"“He has been a little inconsistent, been banged up a little. It was just one of those things where the Raiders decided to move on and we evaluated his tape. We liked his skillset. I think there is still some development and growth he can reach and we think he will have a shot in some press-man coverage.”"

It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs utilize Amerson in the preseason and at training camp come July 26. I think that Amerson can get back to his 2015 season while in the right scheme. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t take his struggle in 2016 or even injured 2017 with much thought considering the Raiders inability to develop any kind of cornerbacks. Also while drafting high at the position, the unit has been a nightmare in Oakland.

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