KC Chiefs: Top five defensive players heading into 2019 training camp

Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, left, and General Manager Brett Veach, right, introduce safety Tyrann Mathieu in the Stram Theater in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The Chiefs signed Mathieu to a three-year deal reportedly worth $42 million. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward (35) (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

JUAN THORNHILL

The only rookie to appear on this list, Juan Thornhill was a big pickup in a secondary-needy team like the Chiefs. He will more than likely be the starting Safety opposite Mathieu and could be in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year if everything works out.

He is a ball-hawk, which the Chiefs tend to like for Defensive Backs, and is likely going to see play everywhere similar to Mathieu. This gives the Chiefs a chance to really change up their coverages and it won’t make the defense easy to exploit.

CHAVARIUS WARD

Lastly, we conclude with one of the standout players toward the end of last season. In the AFC Divisional Round, he made just his third career start, but what a start it was.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ward broke up three of the eight passes that came his way and only allowed a total of 42 yards, good for only a 65.6 Passer Rating into his coverage. Not too shabby against the seventh-best offense during the 2018 season.

I’m not ready to anoint him the next great NFL cornerback because of one or two good games, but there is potential there with Ward for sure.

There is no way that the defense can be worse than it was last year. Now, with new coaching and some new faces, the defense looks to be improved and these are the players who will be the stars, at least for now.

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