If You Squint, You Can See the Chiefs 2019 Defense Coming Together

If You Squint, You Can See the

Chiefs 2019 Defense Coming Together

by Ransom Hawthorne

The Kansas city Chiefs 2018 defense is what it is. Sure, you might see an addition here or there, but an ascension from below average, to good seems pretty unlikely. The good news is, if you squint, you can see the Chiefs 2019 defense coming together, a much better defense, and some of the pieces are already falling into place. As injuries and ejections forced back-ups onto the field, fans caught a glimpse of the future, and it looks, if not bright, at least brighter.

Orlando Scandrick: Scandrick is on a one year deal and the Chiefs have no obligation to keep him, but they’d be stupid not to make an effort to re-sign him. Guys like #22 are valuable in today’s NFL: a savvy vet who know how to play within the rules, and has the instincts to stay in position, even if his body isn’t as fast as it used to be. Since Scandrick used to be a burner (4.32 – 40), his current slower speed, is still decently fast, and he’s been one of the best CBs on Chiefs roster. At times, he’s even looked better than Kendall Fuller. Stats bear that out: 

Guys his age aren’t going to break the bank, so keeping one of your top performing CBs around, for about what you’d pay a slightly below average rookie, like Terrence Mitchell, coming off his first contract, is a no brain-er. Scandrick showed excellent recognition on Sunday, and ability to hit hard when he needed to. He also showed some fire in post-game interviews. K.C. needs some guys like that in the locker room. 

Dee Ford: I never expected to say this, but Ford should be on the team next year. No, he doesn’t deserve a long term contract, especially with his injury history, but the Chiefs, flush with cash, would be foolish to let their best pass rusher walk, in the middle of their Super Bowl window. Ford thinks he’s playing for a big contract, but he’s probably setting himself up for a franchise tag. That’s expensive, but GM Brett Veach only has to pay him for a year, before he walks, and they’ll probably get a 3^rd round comp pick, for their trouble. In the meantime, Ford is a key piece of the defense, who seems suddenly tough enough to play through injury (money is a powerful motivator). When healthy, that first step, and explosion, off the line of scrimmage, is still pretty tough for most RTs, to handle.

Jordan Lucas: When Brett Veach traded for Lucas I checked out his combine numbers. They were pretty dang good. Fast explosive guy, with solid change of direction skills. I’m honestly a little surprised he didn’t make it at CB, but that’s old news. Lucas had been a demon on STs, and made the most of his opportunity when injury struck. It wasn’t so much the fact that he picked off Bortles, I mean heck, anyone can do that, but the fire and flare with which he returned it raised some eyebrows. After that, it wasn’t hard to spot #24, just look for the guy who knows how to tackle, and you’ll see him. I don’t know if Lucas knows the defense, or how he’ll hold up in coverage, long term. Right now, though, he’s easily the best tackler on the team, and a guy that I want out there, over Parker…\] or Murray. A safety should be the last line of defense, not the last missed tackle before the TD.

Speaks and Kpassagnon: Pass rushers take time to develop. Fans are all about instant gratification, and, because of the salary cap, they have a point. In general though, unless you’ve got a top 10 pick, you shouldn’t expect much, from 3-4 OLBs, in their first year. This is one reason I see a move to the 4-3, in the Chiefs future, but that’s for another day. Kpassagnon is finally coming on a bit, after a lackluster rookie season, he might be fighting an injury right now, but, so long as it doesn’t linger, he looks to a be a solid option for the Chiefs, going forward. Speaks has had a fair bit of criticism leveled his way, but he’s a guy who’s still learning how to rush standing up. The Chiefs gave him a few snaps with his hands in the dirt, and he looked a lot more like the guy you saw in college. Whether Speaks is transitioned into an Allen Bailey role, or remains at OLB, he’s going to grow a lot this year, and the fact that he’s already seeing the field, is a very positive sign. K.C. might not be totally set at OLB, especially if they have to cut Houston, but they’re definitely on their way up depth-wise. Check out the young guys getting it done here:

The Kansas City Chiefs defense has continued to improve, and while the overhaul is not yet complete, it’s trending in the right direction. If K.C. can swing a trade for a decent ILB, and also get Dorian O’Daniel up to speed, who knows, they might even be a good defense… this year. That said, we’re more likely to see that positive improvement in 2019. Even so, it’s exciting to watch the development of, what will soon be, the core of Kansas City’s defense. Go Chiefs.

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