Notice is Served! Rookies Are the Worry and Solution for the CB Group

Notice is Served! Rookies Are the Worry and Solution for the CB Group

David Bell

The topic to cover the Chiefs Secondary requires deliberation of the youth movement. Of course, that’s risky, but things are looking very good for the young players as Training Camp proceeds and the team gathers steam with the first preseason game looking over the horizon (this coming Saturday).

Juan Thornhill observed this about the Newcomers:

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“…I know that it takes time to, like, pick up on that playbook. Because defense, like it’s not a joke. So, I think the guys are doing a heck of a job. I mean, it shows that they’re studying. They’re making a lot of plays on the ball. They’re not making a lot of mistakes on the field. And then that’s the main thing… just that they’re playing with confidence. So, I like that group a whole lot, and I’m just excited for them.”

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On Sunday, Laddie Morse penned an article about the import of the Chiefs rookies called “Chiefs Rookies Will Decide How Far They Go in 2022.” <– Click the link to review that piece. Laddie’s article has import for my report today. At this point, the Chiefs will doubtless field a rookie CB at one of the Starting Outside Positions: Trent McDuffie.

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Trent McDuffie was selected by Brett Veach, who traded up to select him with Round 1, pick 21. Other CBs on the board had the attention of Veach and Co., such as Kaiir Elam, but when the time to make a move arrived, Brett Veach didn’t hesitate to consummate a trade with the Patriots in order to obtain McDuffie.

Trent is a knowledgeable player with a ton of football mojo. He has played the edge and as the slot CB playing for the University of Washington –UW, aka: The Dub — Huskies. Listening to McDuffie, you can glean intellect and grit. He has a leadership personality and is a student of the game.

Every day as he winds down, he studies game film. That teaches us a lot about the type of player he is. McDuffie is a very intelligent defender who:

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· has elite short-area athleticism and explosiveness

· has the skill to make compelling reads based on the WR routes being run, and

· closes quickly on the catch point

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McDuffie, who is 5’11”, 195 lbs. of tough, can play in the boundary or the slot. With two CBs on the field, McDuffie will play outside opposite L’Jarius Sneed. When the set requires 3 CBs, I expect to see Sneed moved inside due to his ability to read and turn his hips no matter which way the WR cuts. Sneed, is also (25) a young player who was drafted in 2020 and was a solid defender for Louisiana Tech. He started three full seasons at Tech and transitioned to safety during his senior year due to team needs.

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L’Jarius Sneed was a standout three-year starter at Louisiana Tech. He was drafted 138 overall, and had an immediate impact as a Chiefs CB in his rookie season. He was glossed over by most scouts of NFL teams and that provided Chiefs GM Brett Veach to select him with pick 32, round 4. Sneed possesses crucial speed, timing out the 40 with 4.37 ticks, a very good vertical of 41″ and a broad jump of 129″, which attests to his explosiveness. Fortunately for the Chiefs, he was rated at 5.96 by the NFL analysts. The experts missed on this one, and the Chiefs reaped the benefit. Later on he was projected as a top ten pick in a redraft.

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Sneed appeared to suffer a setback with an injury in 2021, but came on later in the season with aggressive tackling in run defense support. Now entering his third season with the Chiefs, I do not worry about his ability and capability as an aerial defender. He has good length and long arms and is still only 25, rolling into his 3rd season, I expect Sneed to return to top form as one of the Front Three Defenders at CB.

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What else is going on with the CBs?

What we’re seeing is two other CBs being worked into the mix in training camp. Since McDuffie doesn’t have ideal Spagnuolo length or long arms, I suspect he won’t get many opportunities in the slot. So instead, we’ll likely see McDuffie teamed up with Joshua Williams or Jaylen Watson.

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With 24-year-old Joshua Williams out of Fayetteville State (an HBCU School), the Chiefs Scouts nailed what may be another ace. Brett Veach selected Williams late in round 4. Chiefs fans have been surprised to find out how good he is as a defender.

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The thing about Williams is “length” since he has long arms and stands 6’3″, weighing in at 197 lbs. Early in camp, Spags used Watson as the counter with length, as he does with Williams, alternating the two players with the ones at present. So I can see a mix and match of two CBs with great length and long arms.

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Jaylen Watson, who is 23, stands 6’3″ and weighs in at 204 lbs. is that other rookie CB with long arms. Williams was a surprise draft pick for all of us, but at least I had Watson on my draft list, at least for me, however, I was surprised he wasn’t taken earlier –> Advantage Chiefs.

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Williams can handle taller WRs or TEs, as can Watson. Neither defender possesses speed, both posting a 4.5-40. Spags is running these two with the ones. Speed will be the biggest worry for them to take on a role with the Chiefs. I see them rotating in and out, based on the opponents. It’s great that we have two 6’3″ CBs.

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Johnson is another CB with a great athletic profile, and make specific note of his 40 time –> which was 4.38! Brett Veach drafted him in round 7 of the 2022 draft. 5’10 1/2″-187 lbs. CB out of Marshall (another HBCU school). Nazeeh Johnson was the recipient of the team’s “Unsung Hero Award” for 2021. This award goes to the player who contributed significantly to the team’s success and received the least recognition. Johnson was a walk-on at Marshall who contributed 67 Tackles, 2 INTs, and 5 PBUs for the 2021 season. He turned 24 in July and is known as a highly athletic player. You can see why from his RAS:

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Among the rookies added to the roster, this Johnson brings speed — 4.38 – 40 — and stats that clearly fit the Chiefs defensive needs. Drafting Joshua Williams and Jaylen Wilson, both of whom bring the length attribute to the secondary, whereas Veach added a ‘Uber-Athlete’ by selecting Nazeeh Johnson.

Rashad Fenton is on the PUP as we watch the work unfold at camp. The return date for Fenton is unknown — as of yet. However, I expect him to get back in the mix of secondary defenders. Fenton has proved capable as a Chief. A round six draft pick has paid off, and more.

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With Fenton out for the time, will Spags turn to vets to even out the experience factor?

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Lonnie Johnson Jr. is a twenty-six-year-old, 4-year vet who is 6’2″, hard-hitting, and a capable pass-defender. His stats speak volumes. He is a hard-hitting CB who tallies a bunch of tackles in run defense support.

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Consider the team he played for before turning to the stats page. Playing with a perennial playoff contender will uplift his performance. Unfortunately, the Texans remain in a quagmire as the 2022 season approaches. Brett Veach traded a conditional 7th-round pick with the Texans to bring him to the Kingdom.

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Johnson played with the Chiefs new safety, Justin Reid, while with the Texans. That bodes well for the Chiefs due to the familiarity of the two players. The Chiefs could utilize the experience in a CB group that is still very young. While he is young himself, he is entering his 4th NFL season and was a 2nd round pick for Houston in 2019. He stands 6-2, and weighs 213 lbs. so Johnson a very stout. However, he does have long-arms, and is a physical CB.

Johnson fits well with the youth and physicality movement at K.C.. He also posted a 4.5-40 at the combine, but his physical attributes at Kentucky put him high in the draft. When Veach traded for Johnson, my immediate thought was all the missed tackles team-wide, with a big key being physicality. I cannot help but believe Johnson will be part of the opening day cornerback group.

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Other players to consider?

Here I can only mention names. When I first started this piece, I led off with Deandre Baker, but Baker was released over the weekend to make room for a WR, Devin Gray, who is possibly eyed for S/T’s kick returns. Gray was Cincinnati’s Kick returner as one of ArrowheadOne’s readers observed on Sunday. He also has good leaping ability and played very well in the USFL Championship this year.

Both Baker and Mike Hughes were former round one draft picks. Speculation is that Baker was released early, so he had time to get picked up with another team. I watched a couple of video segments this year with Baker defending and his recovery from his late 2021 broken leg still affects him.

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In 2021, Dicaprio Bootle flashed ability and hung and was a practice squad player though he was called up to the active roster at one point. I am interested to see how much improvement he has made because I had a favorable view of him from the 2021 camp.

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Finally, Chris Lammons rounds out the possible CBs, but I see him more as a special team’s contributor for S/T coach Dave Toub rather than a CB in the mix due to his previous work with the Chief’s S/Ts and also due to his diminutive size at 5’9″.

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How Do I See the Final CB Mix?

As in 2021, the Chiefs will have 6 CBs on the Active Roster. However, the Chiefs will have key players on the PS. Who is likely there to begin the season?

Starters Outside: L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie

The Outside Starters in the Nickel, Dime, and Hybrid? McDuffie and one of the following four: Rashad Fenton when he returns, Lonnie Johnson, Nazeeh Johnson, Joshua Williams, and Jaylen Watson. The starter in the Slot — in this case — will be L’Jarius Sneed.

I expect Johnson and one of the rookies to be fluid in the substitution scheme. I have hopes for Williams and Watson. Also in the CB room is Brandin Dandridge, a 4th-year pro, and Nasir Greer, a UDFA out of WFU.

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We’ll see where it goes. A lot depends on how soon Rashad Fenton returns to the lineup. From all appearances, the CB group is stronger overall than in the prior four seasons, especially when Fenton gets back. Although, as you may have discerned, a lot depends on rookies. Next up will be a look at the Safety group.

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Does that make your hair stand on end?

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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