The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense gets the majority of the credit for team success in 2019, but players from the revamped defense are starting to catch on as well.
Our friend Doug Farrar at Touchdown Wire recently named Tyrann Mathieu the best slot defender heading into the 2020 NFL season. Now, Farrar has released his list of the 11 best outside cornerbacks in the NFL heading into 2020. It’s not a list that many would expect to find Chiefs player on, but starting CB Bashaud Breeland narrowly made the cut, coming in at No. 11.
So what makes Breeland one of the best outside corners in the league? Here’s a look at what Farrar had to say:
“When it comes to the Chiefs, all the talk is about their offense, which is understandable — especially after Patrick Mahomes grabbed a new contract with the approximate value of the gross national product of a medium-sized country. But the defending champs have an excellent chance to repeat because of a defense on the rise, and their cornerbacks are a big part of that. Breeland made this list after he allowed just 34 receptions on 73 targets for 546 yards, 204 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 68.6. . .”
Bashaud Breeland had an interception in the Super Bowl, but this non-pick (on review) against the Titans in the AFC Championship game was more impressive. Trails Corey Davis perfectly on the over route and jumps it with excellent timing. pic.twitter.com/IJf96XCpCA
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 13, 2020
Farrar continued with effusive praise for the entire Kansas City secondary including players like Charvarius Ward and Juan Thornhill. It should also be noted that Breeland led the Chiefs’ defense in forced fumbles and was one of only two players to score a defensive touchdown last season. Breeland also has the versatility and flexibility to shift inside a play there in a pinch as he did when Kendall Fuller dealt with a hand injury last season. He was one of the few guys that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo relied on early as a leader and playmaker on the defense.
Breeland was unexpectedly re-signed by the Chiefs this offseason on a one-year, $4.5 million dollar deal in April. He currently faces a four-game suspension to start the 2020 season for a violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. That means the team will need to find an alternate option for him to start the season. It definitely impacts Breeland’s outlook for 2020, just knowing he won’t be on the field early on. However, when he’s on the field, Breeland is certainly one of the best and most reliable defenders in the Kansas City secondary.
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