6 Chiefs on Thin Ice Following the NFL Draft

6. Justin Reid - S

Let me be explicitly clear that Justin Reid has been great with the Chiefs and is clearly the best safety on the roster as it stands. He's been invaluable to the defense during these consecutive Super Bowl runs, bringing a defining physicality to the secondary that's helped give Kansas City the NFL's best defense.

That being said, it looks like the Chiefs are preparing to eventually move on. Reid is entering the final year of his three-year contract and is only 27 years old, so he'll likely require another hefty payday if he returns.

2022 second-round pick Bryan Cook is on track to return from his broken ankle and the Chiefs just made a fantastic fourth-round selection by taking Washington State safety Jaden Hicks. That gives the organization two exciting, young safeties who could theoretically step into starting roles, giving Brett Veach financial flexibility if he's reluctant to give Reid another big payday.

Veach has never given a second contract to a member of the secondary. We've seen players like Charvarius Ward, Tyrann Mathieu, and L'Jarius Sneed all walk, so Reid could be next in line.

Once you consider the large number of young players that'll need contracts, including All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie, it's easy to imagine Reid being the odd man out given the preparations the Chiefs have already begun making.

Could Reid force Veach's hand with a stellar season as the vocal leader of the secondary? He could, but I'm not betting on it at this point.

More Kansas City Chiefs News: