Chiefs Projected 2021 Starters on Defense (With Playmakers) – So, who are the Kansas City Chiefs projected 2021 starters and playmakers on the Defensive Side of the ball? My outlook about the defense for 2021 is very positive. Extremely so. I highlight, via the graphic below, where I think we have solid-to-playmaking players manning most positions. The Chiefs will boast at least 6 playmakers for the new squad. This is starkly different than the outlook going from 2016 to now. After the initial picture of the players who are playmakers, you will see that the Chiefs 2021 are on very sound footing to build an opponent dominating defense around under Steve Spagnuolo and his crew. You will see that I count on 3 defensive picks, if Veach can select the right players. He won’t just draft to the need, he’ll have to find playmakers for ever draft pick and the qualifiers are: Player Speed, Player Football Intelligence, Player Coachability, plus Players who love football and want to be Chiefs.
2021: Proven and Tested Playmakers
Further below is the graphic showing the various Playmakers and Quality Starters the Chiefs will have on Defense in 2021. Here’s the Key:
Defensive End Frank Clark – Acquired in 2019 by trade with Seattle, age 27 out of Michigan, Brett Veach gave up a 2019 first round selection, a 2020 Second Round pick and swapped third round choices in the process of getting Clark aboard.
Defensive Tackle – Chris Jones – A draft pick in 2017, Jones blossomed and in 2018 he became a force! He was a Second Round draft pick by Brett Veach now in his 5th season. Jones came into his own in 2019 and is a playmaker from the inside. Jones graduated from Mississippi St. and received a huge salary deal in 2020. Of note: in his rookie season, Chris Jones was selected for the all NFL Rookie team.
Tyrann Mathieu – SS/FS/Robber – I can’t give enough credos to Brett Veach for bringing Mathieu to the Chiefs. He is the leader of the Chiefs defense. Love this guy and the player he has become. Tenacious is my word for describing the “Landlord.” Tyrann is an 8-year pro who graduated from LSU. The Chiefs have other LSU alumni to bring to attention on the offensive side of the ball. Mathieu came to the Chiefs and immediately solidified his name of record with the Kingdom. Mathieu appeared first with Cardinals and earned his first Pro Bowl nomination. After the Cardinals, Mathieu bounced around from there to Houston and then to Kansas City. He has not looked back even once!
2021: Young Playmakers
Juan Thornhill – FS – Thornhill was drafted in 2019 as one of the two second round picks that Brett Veach had available. Now, age 25, with two years under his belt, Thornhill had a core muscle tear which kept him out of the Super Bowl in February of 2020. When he returned, it took a few games for him to get back to form. He was on my top priority draft list when he was chosen. Thornhill played college ball for the Virginia Cavaliers. I liked him from film, for his closing speed and his ability to read plays. Once he was back to snuff, he showed well in the playoffs of the 2020 season. He makes things happen. Great Veach draft pick.
Strongside Linebacker – Willie Gay, Jr. – Gay was an under-the-radar draft selection in 2020. He had 8 starts. In the Browns game Gay showed why Veach selected him. Unfortunately, it took him time to get on board with the Chiefs defense. A factor in this was apparently due to his missing college play his senior season for “behavioral issues”. What I saw and what I see from him is a side-line-to-slide-line Linebacker who can also defend the pass either in a drop zone or man coverage. I believe in this player. I see him being a huge factor as a linebacker next to Anthony Hitchens when the defense set has two LB’s. I see a very high ceiling for Gay and fully believe Willie Gay, Jr. will not only demonstrate his talent and ability, but he will be a playmaker. We saw in the Divisional Round of the playoffs exactly what Gay brings to the table. Unfortunately injury in the Bill’s game kept him out of the Super Bowl. This is a player who has already demonstrated play-making ability. Gay was drafted in the 2nd round like Chris Jones, who was also drafted out of Mississippi St.. Gay will be in his second season with the Chiefs in 2021.
Outside Cornerback – L’Jarius Sneed – Sneed played college ball at the small NCAA school, Louisiana Tech. I watched film and had Sneed on my list of late round picks. Veach went up to get him in the 4th round and I was ecstatic with this draft pick. Out of the gate, Sneed showed early why he would be a bright star of KC’s secondary crew.
Cornerback – Newcomer – Deandre Baker a newcomer who showed tremendously in 2020. Unfortunately he suffered a femur break and missed the rest of the season. I see him as one of the future starters in the corner role, earning a starting type role before half the 2021 season has passed. I think you pencil him in as a future playmaker (still an unknown on our graphic). This is my pick among all the newcomers to be the playmaker who emerges and takes over a starting role at Cornerback. Needless to say, Baker fits the Maverick Veach type of acquisition. I think Veach gave us a keeper. I am placing Baker as a future playmaker and eventual starter outside. I think he may get that done in 2021 or he could move up to taking on the Slot. Either way, I list him as that type of acquisition, one which fits the Brett Veach profile.
Defensive Draft Picks
X – Defensive End – Draft Pick – We need a consistent performer opposite Frank Clark, and then in 2022, we need to draft another DE as Clark’s replacement because after 2023, Clark is gone.
X – Cornerback – Draft Pick – I firmly believe Veach will find a newcomer CB to bring aboard
X – Linebacker – Draft Pick – to complete the LB room, this pick needs to be made to mirror Gay on the weakside. This topic has been one of my bugaboo for years and I believed the Chiefs needed to draft DJ’s replacement as far back as 2016.
X – Defensive Tackle Draft Pick. I really want another 3-down Defensive Tackle. Maybe in the 2022 draft?
Notable Players Who Figure to Raise Their Hands
ILB – Anthony Hitchens – Hitch played above average football the second half of season. So did Damian Wilson. I list him with Hitch as the strong position and the middle if three LInebackers in the base 43 is used. Even Wilson showed well over the last few games. Honorable mention is Darius Harris. Dorian O’Daniel will be retained for Special Teams at the very least.
Cornerback – Charvarius Ward – Now a “solid” Vet Corner, struggled through a broken hand in 2020. There is far too much critique of Ward by some, but he fulfills the idea of a quality starter regardless. Charvarius Ward – with the defense solidified, he settles back into his outside role as a solid outside CB. Brett Veach traded an offensive lineman, to Dallas to acquire Ward in 2018. This trade was a very big trade for Veach and naysayers aside. He is still that player.
Inside Cornerback – Rashad Fenton – Significant player, solid in the slot as a role player. Rashad came out of nowhere and has played well in the slot. That role fits him and he is part of the crew in 2021. Fenton attended South Carolina and was one of two 6th round picks in 2019.
Outside Cornerback – Bashaud Breeland – NFL level solid defender who will face a tough sell as a F/A due to Salary Cap constraints. It’s highly possible Breeland returns in 2021, because so many teams are faced with money problems. If he departs, so be it.
Left Defensive End – Alex Okafor returns as a starter opposite Frank Clark. He is a decent performer. I expect to see Tim Ward’s usage expand in 2021. Okafor is under contract. Competing for a role player at DE: Taco Charlton and Tanoh Kpassagnon. I see that the Chiefs might retain one of the two, but likely not both. If it were me it would be Taco, but Kpass was a Chiefs draft pick.
Platooned LDTE – Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton, Khalen Saunders – Only Nnadi appears to be a starter quality player. He and Saunders are draft picks. Wharton was a UDFA that surprised everyone. The Chiefs might possibly bring Mike Pennel back again. If I had to add another draft pick it would be a DT who could be a three-down starter.
3rd and Alternate SS: Daniel Sorensen (Hybrid), Armani Watts
Endnotes
If Brett Veach can make one of those sleeper picks to get a DE and LB and get another CB aboard, I would feel very fortunate. The needs on the offensive side of the ball will be an extreme focus, especially at the OT position. Still, using the Bump Method and taking playmakers with speed as the draft progresses, I can see all of this happening in this draft. After all, the Chief should have two 3rd round picks with which to bring talent aboard that can make an impact in the existing season. Here’s what Charles Goldman at ChiefWire.com shared two days ago:
- Round 1, Pick 31
- Round 2, Pick 63
- Round 3, Pick 95
- Round 4, Pick 127
- Round 5, Pick 159
- Round 7, Pick 223
“The first three rounds are set, but after that things are subject to change once compensatory draft picks are officially announced. The team is projected to earn two compensatory draft picks on Day 3 of the draft.”
This means K.C. is likely to be awarded extra third round and fourth round picks. No, I am not saying we must replace anybody at this particular writing. Strengthening the position groups is the goal. Keeping the team young and homegrown is very important as we have seen. My biggest worry for the draft is going to be DE on that side of the ball (that is looking only at a needs base list).
Next Up?
Next up: It’s always fun to take a look and project who will be the Offense side of the ball.
David Bell – Rockport, Texas for ArrowheadOne
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