Kansas City Chiefs: Four Breakout Candidates in 2019

By Kole Berrey | Jun 5, 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 20: Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) after a 23-yard touchdown reception with 7:45 left in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs on January 20, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Cornerback Charvarius Ward #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Breakout Candidate Number 4: Charvarius Ward

Charvarius Ward seems to be the popular pick for most to enjoy a breakout campaign in 2019. I don’t know if this is because he played well down the stretch last season, or if Chiefs fans are praying he does so that the corner position doesn’t get bullied this year. It is probably a mix of both.

Still, he warrants consideration on this list because his play last year improved steadily, and his playing time increased as a result.

If Charvarius Ward plays 2019 like he did in 2018 in a small sample size we're gonna feel pretty silly being concerned about KC's cornerback situation.

(assuming everyone stays healthy. And now I'm worried again)
— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) May 27, 2019

Ward is an intriguing prospect, to say the least. He is 6’1, and runs a 4.43 40 yard dash. His tall frame a good speed give him a good athletic base to play corner at a high level in the NFL. He has yet to record a career interception, but that was almost not the case.

Ward was the player that would’ve punched the Chiefs’ ticket to the Super Bowl last year with a clutch fourth quarter interception, if it hadn’t been for a certain someone being line up offsides (gosh that still really hurts to type).

The problem with Ward is that he is still an unknown. His sample size last year was just too small. Even though he played well, we have no way of knowing if he could keep that up over a full season.

Still, Ward has a few things working for him. The first being the presence of newcomers Tyrann Mathieu and Frank Clark. Having an elite safety behind you and a stud pass rusher in front of you can make the life of a corner that much easier.

Ward is on this list more for the opportunity he is being handed. Right now, is projected to man an outside corner slot whenever teams have three or more receivers on the field. If Ward can play as well as he did in small bursts last year over a full season, he could be a household name by the end of the season.

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