Kansas City Chiefs: COVID-19 could affect cornerback development
By John McCarty
Lack of experienced depth at cornerback could be an issue without developmental preseason games for the Kansas City Chiefs.
If there was one position group above all others on the Kansas City Chiefs that could have benefited the most from normal preseason, it would have been the cornerback position group.
With questions of availability with Bashaud Breeland (reportedly facing a four game or more suspension to start the season) and depth questions marks all over the place, the opportunity lost to find depth at a vital defensive position could be impactful.
Charvarius Ward is obviously the second corner behind Breeland, but behind him are nothing but question marks.
More from Kansas City Chiefs
- How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
- The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule
- DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
- Fan-Favorite Locks Up Chiefs Roster Spot With Stellar Preseason Performance
- DraftKings NFL Kansas Promo: Bet $5 on Chiefs vs. Saints, Win $150 Bonus!
Rashad Fenton was a late round pick last year that will be asked to contribute more on a down by down basis, Antonio Hamilton was brought over from the New York Giants for special teams and a bunch of late round 2020 draft picks and undrafted free agents make up the current group of corners.
L’Jarius Sneed, the Chiefs fifth round selection, was a safety at Louisiana Tech and the Chiefs will likely try him out at corner.
Seventh round pick BoPete Keyes out of Tulane, along with undrafted prospects Lavert Hill of Michigan, Javaris Davis of Auburn, and Hakeem Bailey of West Virginia could have benefited greatly from the opportunity of extensive playing time in preseason games and practices to hasten development.
Members of this rookie group will be asked at some point this season to contribute for the Kansas City Chiefs, and perhaps soon.
It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs approach training camp with the likely prospect of perhaps one preseason game, but more likely entering the season without any live snap action.
Does Andy Reid get extensive snaps for the starters in an effort to ensure they are up to speed and ready to go for the season, or does he also look at getting ‘live fire’ snaps for the young players to get them acclimated as best as possible for the start of the 2020 season?
Evaluating and developing the depth at corner will be important past the 2020 season as well. Breeland is a free agent after this season and Charvarius Ward will be a restricted free agent. Depth and production will need to be found and be on the roster.
Way Too Early Look at Potential Positions for 2021 Draft. dark. Next
With an offense that can score from anywhere on the field, the ability to cover receivers will be vital for the Kansas City Chiefs defense, not just this season, but in years to come as well.