5 Deep: Do Chiefs Have The Depth at CB For Spags Defense?

by Ransom Hawthorne | May 25, 2019

The turnover on the Kansas City Chiefs roster has been quite a thing to witness. From top to bottom, significant changes were made. As the dust settles, the Chiefs lone significant need on defense, remains at CB depth. Optimistic fans may sight confidence in the starting three, but they’re overlooking a very significant fact. In his last three years as a DC, Steve Spagnuolo has fielded five Cornerbacks, who played at least, 20% of the defensive snaps. Whether you like it or not, K.C. is almost certainly going to see a similar result. The question is: just how good do the Chiefs depth guys at CB have to be?

The Spagnuolo Template

Leon Hall and Trevin Wade: the 2016 New York Giants defense (coached by Steve Spagnuolo) was a force to be reckoned with, ranking 2nd in weighted DVOA. They were headlined by recognizable names: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Janoris Jenkins, and Eli Apple. However, Leon Hall, and Trevin Wade would each contribute significant snaps to the group, playing 35% and 32%, respectively. Hall had the lone interception of the two and, combined, they had just 5 passes defensed. Both had around 25 tackles.

Chiefs Point of Reference

Phillip Gaines: numbers are just numbers, until you put them in context. If you’re looking for a comparison that fits, from a production standpoint, look at 2017 CB Phillip Gaines. He played 38% of snaps, with 3 PD and 30 tackles. Fairly similar stats, and a pretty low bar, for Chiefs depth to live up to.

Candidates For CB Depth

Depth Candidate #1 Rashaad Fenton: Sharing the same height, and weight, Hall and Fenton have a number of athletic similarities. Hall was a superior athlete at the time he was drafted, but, by the time he reached the Giants, he was more of a savvy veteran who’d lost a step. Fenton’s experience, in multiple coverages, should allow him to fill this role fairly well.

Depth Candidate #2 Jordan Lucas: Wade was in his 5th year, on his 4th team. He lacked top end speed, but was pretty fluid. While most think of Jordan Lucas as a S, he has a lot to offer as the 4th DB, in dime sets. Fluid enough to cover well, and physical enough to tackle. Like Wade, Lucas might not ever be a star, but he’s a well traveled player, with the necessary mental toughness, to handle spot duty as a CB.

Depth Candidate #3 Mark Fields: Fields has all the marks of a quality depth guy. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, instincts, and attitude. I’m not sure there’s anything he could do to force his way into the top three, but he can absolutely be a guy who gives you quality reps, off the bench.

Going into the writing of this piece, I was nervous about the ability of the Chiefs depth to measure up, in time of need. After examining Wade and Hall, I felt quite a bit better. Spagnuolo is a very smart coordinator, who can scheme around a lesser player, if he has to put them out there, for a few drives a game. the Chiefs shouldn’t stop looking for upgrades, to the top three, but fans don’t need to be quite as worried about the guys who fill out the rest of the lineup. They should prove capable of just enough to keep the defense rolling.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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