Talking About CB’s Keith Reaser and Will Redmond

The Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach recently addressed the media in a pre-draft question and answer session that revealed more than what we have been used to hearing from previous GMs. When asked, “How comfortable are you at corner right now? Just give us your thoughts on that position” Veach said,

“Yeah, so, at corner, we feel really good about Kendall Fuller obviously, and Stevie Nelson has shown that he continues to get better, and can help us out. Then you bring in Dave Amerson, who’s a guy that has been up and down on he consistency level but, he has all the physical attributes that you need.”

Brett Veach then goes on to clear up his views about the players he already has on the roster vs. the players that many have projected he might take at the cornerback position in next weekend’s draft.

“And look, we still have guys like Keith Reaser and Will Redmond that people won’t really talk about but… Will Redmond was a mid-round pick by the Niners coming off of an injury and Keith Reaser was a guy we liked. I think he too was also coming off an injury out of Florida Atlantic [University] a few years back. So, a lot of people won’t talk about those guys but, when you start stacking those types of players, in regards to what’s out there in the draft class, you feel good about them.”

So, who is Keith Reaser? Who is Will Redmond? Did we win the draft at the CB position already this year… but we just didn’t know it? Maybe. So let’s take a look at these cornerbacks, players who Brett Veach says no one will talk about.

Two years ago, in 2016, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had this to say about Redmond:

“Plus athleticism for the position. Plays with desired twitch and foot quickness. Has the physical tools to match up in tight, man coverage and mirror receiver with quality pattern recognition. Has burst to close out throws quickly and challenge the catch. Aggressive and determined in run support. Unafraid to step downhill challenge the run on his terms and near the line of scrimmage.”

Zierlein goes on to point out that Redmond doesn’t have ideal size to play the outside CB position but from what I can tell, those guys are increasingly harder and harder to find. So, developing CBs who already have all the requisite skills like Redmond, is a pretty great alternative.

Some analysts say Will Redmond also prefers to hit more than tackle. He is a well known risk taker both in his angles to get the INT and the not wrapping up on tackles so that he can put his helmet on the ball. However, Redmond’s preferred way to tackle is going low to take the legs of a receiver or ball carrier out from under him. After the Chiefs drafted CB Marcus Peters in 2015, I was looking for them to take a similar CB in the next year’s draft and thought Redmond might be THAT guy. However, he was only able to play 7 games his last year at Mississippi State and that’s the reason he dropped into the third round.

While Will Redmond may not have the ideal size to be an NFL cornerback at 5-foot-11, and 182 lbs. he can lay the wood on a ball carrier when he wants to.

In Keith Reaser’s case, he’s closer to the size coaches are looking for and comes in at 6-foot-0, and weighs 190 lbs. Reaser went to Florida Atlantic and was also drafted by the 49ers only he was a 5th round selection in 2014 (pick 170). Reaser is 27 years old.

Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com had this to say about CB Keith Reaser:

“Confident in off-man coverage — maintains good cushion and keeps receivers in front of him. Nice shadow and mirror in man coverage. Smooth-hipped. Good football intelligence. Understands run fits. Respected team leader.”

Sounds like the Chiefs cup of tea. That Reaser is 27 years old and perhaps more mature doesn’t hurt either and 22 reps of 225 lbs. shows he has some strength that other CBs may not. Reaser wears the #3 in this clip. Short but sweet:

I see more to like in Keith Reaser than in Will Redmond even though I was a Redmond fan when he first came out. Reaser plays with a lot of passion and intensity and as was mentioned before, he was seen as a team leader. Both players could be seen as damaged goods but a lot of players come back from knee injuries anymore. It almost seems like more players have gone through knee injuries than not these days. The Chiefs have a strong strength and conditioning program so hopefully that helps with each player’s return to the top of his game. If Brett Veach is planning on counting on these two more than he would a drafted CB prospect, it may mean he and his team know more that’s positive about the full rehab process for each of these CBs. While I’d love to see these two excel, Veach may have been throwing up a smoke screen so that no one will know if he’s targeting a CB for his first pick in the draft. Anything is possible but listening to Veach talk yesterday made me think, he really has no idea how things will play out and really now… how could he? One way or the other, Redmond and Reaser could be really good. The odds say at least one will be. We can only hope.

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