[jwplayer M6dTLVUR-ThvAeFxT]
The Kansas City Chiefs secondary is starting to take shape for the 2020 NFL season.
On Thursday, reports broke that starting right cornerback Bashaud Breeland would re-sign with the team. He was the only remaining starter from Super Bowl LIV that was a free agent. Breeland’s return means that all of the starters in the secondary from 2019 will return for the 2020 NFL season. Bashaud Breeland and Charvarius Ward occupy the right and left cornerback spots, While Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill occupy the strong safety and free safety spots.
The Chiefs lost versatile defensive back, Kendall Fuller, in free agency to Washington. He’d previously been their starting nickel corner and late in the season played some deep safety for Kansas City, including in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs also don’t be too keen on re-signing Morris Claiborne, who remains a free agent.
Kansas City will return nickel linebacker and safety Daniel Sorensen, who figures to continue to fill those roles, as well as his role on special teams. Draft picks Armani Watts and Rashad Fenton will also return to the Chiefs. Fenton could be due for a larger role in sub-packages that require an extra cornerback on the field with his inside-out versatility.
Three players figure to compete for backup roles, those are Alex Brown, Chris Lammons and new free-agent acquisition Antonio Hamilton. Brown was elevated from the Chiefs’ practice squad ahead of Week 15 and appeared in six games for Kansas City, including Super Bowl LIV. He’s primarily been used as a special teams player. Lammons has starting experience from his time with the Dolphins and can play both safety and cornerback spots. Finally, Hamilton is a promising special teams player and could be first in line for a backup job behind either Breeland and Ward.
In any event, the Chiefs group is looking much more complete than it did just a day ago. Brett Veach doesn’t need to feel pressured into adding any defensive backs in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Breeland fills a big need and allows the luxury of selecting the best player available at pick No. 32. Cornerback still could be on the table for Kansas City at that pick or throughout the draft, especially when you consider that both Breeland and Ward are scheduled to become free agents in 2021.
[vertical-gallery id=63546]