Kansas City Chiefs: Three takeaways from 2019 NFL Draft

3. Defense gets talented reinforcements.

The Chiefs’ 2018 draft was solely focused on improving the defense.

While no one from that draft class was an immediate or big contributor last season, this year’s rookies may be different. The Chiefs’ 63rd pick, safety Juan Thornhill, and their 84th pick, defensive lineman Khalen Saunders, might just be a couple of steals of the draft.

Thornhill is a freak athlete and his ballhawk abilities will improve the Chiefs’ defense when he hits the field. One thing that will help make his job of grabbing interceptions easier will be what Saunders can bring to the game. The 6’0″, 324-pound defensive tackle will be given the opportunity to generate pressure on the quarterback in Steve Spagnuolo’s system.

Not only can Saunders do backflips, but he brings an ability to be a legitimate disruptive force. While both Thornhill and Saunders will need some time to adjust to a different level of competition, don’t be surprised to see these guys getting snaps earlier rather than later. Thankfully, they have some great leaders on the field to make their jobs easier.

Thornhill should fit nicely with the Chiefs’ newly acquired free agent safety, Tyrann Mathieu.

With Mathieu roaming the field as the hunter, Thornhill should fit in nicely playing over the top with speed and leaping ability. Saunders will also have a great opportunity to get rotational snaps while learning the system behind Chris Jones and Derek Nnadi.