Is The Chiefs Defense Up to Snuff for 2021?

I thought, due to comments recently made by followers of ArrowheadOne, that I would assess the Chiefs defense unit by unit. DC Steve Spagnuolo has a very good coaching crew and it will be up to them to fit each player and their skills into a cohesive element of strength. The Chiefs defensive groupings are strong, IMHO so, let’s take a look. I’ll assign a grade and outlook to the final 53 man roster as well.

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Defensive Position Groups and Grades

All grades are pre-pads

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Defensive Tackles

Jarran Reed: Compared to 2020? This group is already advanced in capability and has the depth to go along with the two starters. Brett Veach added DT Jarran Reed has been added to the elemental work of DT Chris Jones, who is a top 5 rated DT.

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I am very enthused with the addition of Jarran Reed for the DT role. Like Andy Reid, I expect significant improvement due to Reed joining Jones inside. Laddie Morse and I discussed at length — prior to the time Reed was signed on March 31st as a FA — the importance that adding another force to the DL interior which would put the front four over the top. Reed does that big time. Alex Okafor is gone at DE, but adding Reed makes the interior DL a force to be reckoned with. With Jones and Reed, they make the defensive end’s job much easier. This is the most significant change across the front four, and a powerful addition.

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Chris Jones: You are hearing a lot about using Jones on the outside. I expect that to be part of the Spagnuolo DL deployment. It occurred on about 1 in 10 plays in 2020. Some observers believe that Jones outside will be elevated, but I still see the tenacious play of Chris Jones inside and I don’t believe his physicality lends itself to the edge. However, I can see Derrick Nnadi inside as a strength against the run when they do use Jones on the edge. Fans are going to love Jones and Reed teamed up inside!

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DT Role Players – This group is proven, and I see no weaknesses with the depth because both Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton have provided solid contributions. I’m not sure that Khalen Saunders returns. He was disappointing in 2020, but he was a draft pick and no one else in the wings at this time. Depending on practice and preseason, the only other player who could be in the mix is Tyler Clark.

Interior Defensive Line Grade: Improved

Locks: Jones, Reid, Nnadi, Wharton, and probably Saunders

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*Verdict Pending

Edge Rushers

RDE Frank Clark has to step up to hi billing. Clark was frustrated with health problems throughout 2020. He is totally capable, and I cannot see him struggling for a second season in a row. Was he worth the investment? That’s another topic.

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LDE Taco Charlton was finally turning the corner in his career when he was hurt in 2020. Charlton showed some of why he was a Round 1 pick out of Michigan. It only lasted 7 games but he was there. I expect that level of play at the very least to be his contribution in 2021. This should be encouraging because he had 2 sacks up to week 6 when he was injured. My added emphasis here is that he was getting significant pressures on the QB. With the addition of Jarran Reed inside, this should aid the efforts of both Charlton and Clark.

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Edge Role Players: Tim Ward, Mike Danna, Joshua Kaindoh, and Malik Herring: Tim Ward is the defenders who has to show advancement! He’s flashed and shown promise, but it’s time to step up and in for him. It is what I am counting on as it his make or break season. Mike Danna has been solid. I admit, I questioned this draft pick when it was made in 2020. The Chiefs drafted Joshua Kaindoh this year who will factor in and he shouldn’t be relegated to the practice squad as that would expose a very talented prospect to being poached. The role player from this group will have great promise and be significant in his contribution in 2021. Newly acquired Malik Herring (UDFA) is intent on making an impact. If anything happens here, don’t be surprised to see both Herring and Kaindoh figure into the work with Brendan Daly. The group should show significant improvement, and that’s mostly due to the inside addition of Reed.

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Edge Defenders Grade: Positive Indications (verdict pending)

Locks (5): Clark, Charlton, Danna, Ward, Kaindoh. We’ll wait and see about Malik Herring. I think he makes the cut.

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Linebacking Corp

I cannot do other than anticipate how the Chiefs see this group. If they keep six LB’s on the active roster, it would be a surprise. I do anticipate that Riley Cole will go to the PS, if they keep six.

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MLB, Anthony Hitchens and Ben Niemann – Anthony Hitchens as been the subject of my ire for quite some time. However, his play in the second half of 2020 was far improved over the first half of the season which had horrid games interspersed throughout those games played. Spagnuolo’s front end commander is depended on and liked by the Chiefs coaching staff. He’s a weakness in pass coverage however. Still, as things ended up he is at least a solid contributor. at the same time, I viewed Ben NIemann’s season as a 2nd year trap. He didn’t play well at all in my view. Niemann is an intelligent linebacker but suffers in pass defense. It’s the role playing that is important so this is a wash for 2021. If they improve from what they ended up with in 2020, it’s all to the good. Let’s hope this is the case.

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SLB Willie Gay Jr. and Omari Cobb – I’m a huge fan of Gay. He has speed that is needed side-line-to-side-line, and he makes plays and proved that in 2020. Unfortunately he was injured in the AFC Championship game. I have no doubt that he will show advancement in 2021. At this time, I am using Omari Cobb as depth player. I thought in 2020, Cobb would be drafted.

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WLB, Nick Bolton and Darius Harris: Opposite Gay is the 2021, 2nd Round pick, Nick Bolton who should succeed out of the gate. He has a great ability to read and anticipate plays at the snap who also excels in pass coverage. As a depth player behind that, I see Harris as a high possibility. I like what I saw of Harris in the 2019 preseason games.

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Fans are going to love Nick Bolton and Kamalei Correa will have an impact. I am curious about who will be depth.

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+ Role Players: Kamalei Correa, Omari Cobb, Darius Harris, Dorian O’Daniel, and Riley Cole – The role players for this group are strong. Riley Cole likely makes the PS. Dorian O’Daniel will be kept for Special Teams, but if there is an odd man out, it may be him. Omari Cobb, Dorian O’Daniel, and Darius Harris are on the bubble. There’s enough personnel to have a deep LB group, but “who” remains to be worked out. Will they keep 6 on the active roster? Hopefully, the down side of Niemann’s 2020 was a sophomore slump.

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Linebacking Corp Grade: Improved

Locks: Hitchens, Gay, Bolton, Niemann, Correa. I’d like to see Veach draft another LB in 2021 because he needs to replace Hitchens.

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The Safeties and Hybrids

Captain and back-end heart and soul of the group is Tyrann Mathieu, who is best partnered up with Juan Thornhill.

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Giving the group the up threat, is hybrid LB, Daniel Sorensen. Will Parks brings length and veteran experience to the group as well.

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If it goes to five players, then we will see Armani Watts on the roster. Early on, I had high hopes for Watts. Newcomer, Devon Key, a camp UDFA invitee, may fit the picture as a PS roster player. There are going to be cuts among the other possible players, among them, Rodney Clemons, who has stuck around for 2 seasons on the PS. I do believe that Will Parks brings a skill set to the table that is needed. Parks is 6-foot-1 and has five years of NFL experience with the Broncos. I was surprised about being able to acquire him. I didn’t think the Bronco’s would expose him, but they did. Advantage: Chiefs.

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Safeties and Hybrids Grade: Improved

Locks (4): Mathieu, Thornhill, Sorensen, Parks. On the bubble are Armani Watts and Rodney Clemons. Who will go to the PS? Perhaps Devon Key or Zayne Anderson.

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The CB group is the biggest worry. I am not one who holds a negative view of Charvarius Ward. I think his hand injury greatly affected his play in 2020. Ward will play outside on the left and will match up with L’Jarius Sneed, a 2020 draft pick who exploded on the scene. Hopefully, Ward’s 2020 was indeed partially due to the injury and perhaps a second season set back at the same time. With the departure of Bashaud Breeland — thus far — these two men will man the outside. In the slot, Rashad Fenton should hold fort, but he can also play the outside. All three are now veterans, so there is an upside, with both Ward and Fenton being 3rd year players with starting experience.

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Last year, Brett Veach acquired in one of his classic moves, CB Deandre Baker. Here I am referring to Veach’s targeting players who are former first round draft picks to get them on board in free agency or via a trade. Baker arrived, and immediately flashed starter potential and then unluckily suffered a broken leg which ended his 2020 campaign. Other than not knowing how soon Baker can make it back to active status, from what I witnessed of him last year, he is a sure deal to be a solid CB for the group. I’m all in on Baker.

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This year, Veach again went to the well to get a former first round draft pick by trading a late round draft choice from 2022’s draft to obtain Viking Mike Hughes. This is a high positive move as well.

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Hughes did not fit the Vikings or some other issue arose, but they were willing to part with him and Veach swooped in. Hughes is not of ideal length and needs to work on man press type coverage, but he is was a good performer in zone defenses so he’s a fit for Spags and DB coaches, Sam Madison and Dave Merritt, should work their magic. I think this adds a solid 4th CB to the group. Last year, Veach used a draft pick to get back into the draft and in the 7th round, he selected BoPete Keyes. Contrary to what followers believe, Keyes did see the field in 2020 with 79 defensive snaps. That move by Veach still needs to work it’s way to fruition, but the promise was there.

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In the current schematic of the roster, the Chiefs invited DB Dicaprio Bootle to camp and he shows talent. I cannot, as yet, form an opinion about either Keyes or Bootle, but we’ll see more soon when the pads come on. Still, with their newness to the Chiefs defense, it’ll be up to Sam Madison and Dave Merritt to get them up to snuff.

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For now, I am uncomfortable with this group and would prefer, if possible, that Veach brings Bashaud Breeland back, even to the point of giving him a boost in contract and a 2-year deal. With Breeland, I would then make the judgement that the group is improved due to the additions of Baker and Hughes, along with Keyes and Bootle in the coach-up mode. If the Chiefs could get Breeland back aboard, then that would seal the deal for the group.

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Cornerback Corp Grade: Weaker

CB Locks (7): Ward, Sneed, Fenton, Keyes, Baker and Hughes. Bootle will be placed on the PS.

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Defensive Summary

Overall, It’s improved, but has a caveat pending in regard to the Edge rushers and a far larger worry for the Cornerback room. There is more to be learned in training camp and in the three preseason games. There are more players to be considered, but most are not going to factor in for the 2021 rosters. I think from the above, there’s a good case and a reason to have a very positive view of the Chiefs defense for the upcoming season. Will Veach improve this roster between now and camp? I’d bet that he signs a CB, like, Bashaud Breeland, a move which makes the most sense. Then I can say again, that maybe giving Melvin Ingram a “ring” would be great thing to have happen as well.

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A logical assessment… or not? What do you think?

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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