Kansas City Chiefs: Four negatively bold predictions for AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs: The Defensive Backfield Takes a Step Back

At the start of 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs defense looked to be getting its feet wet under the scheme of new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. As the season went, so did the defense, picking up steam seemingly every week, even carrying the Chiefs to victory a couple of times with the offense stumbled.

A big part of the defense’s progression and overall success came from the team’s defensive backfield: cornerbacks Charvarius Ward, Bashaud Breeland, Rashad Fenton, Morris Claiborne, and Kendall Fuller; and safeties Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Daniel Sorensen, Armani Watts, and Jordan Lucas.

Several of those named above are now elsewhere (like Fuller, who re-signed with Washington – the organization that drafted him – and Claiborne, now a free agent) or injured (Thornhill) or otherwise indisposed to start the new season (Breeland, who’s suspended).

Among the newly acquired: cornerback Antonio Hamilton, signed in free agency; corners L’Jarius Sneed and Thakarius Keyes, both drafted in April; and safety Tedric Thompson, signed in free agency.

Outside of Ward and Mathieu, this group looks primed for regression. Perhaps Thornhill’s return can smooth things over, but it may take him a while to right himself. Breeland’s return after four weeks will certainly help, too.

Of all the positional groups in Kansas City, this is the one to most worry about, especially in a division where the three other teams will be airing it out in efforts to keep up with the Chiefs’ own potent offensive attack.

This group doesn’t have to pitch shut-outs, but it would be nice if every game weren’t a high-scoring affair.

And there you have it folks! My negative bold predictions for each AFC West team.

What do you think of these?