Categories: Kansas City ChiefsRansom Hawthorne

The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at Safety

The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at Safety – Safety is a position of strength, for the Chiefs. Tyraan Matheiu has been an absolute revelation. Juan Thornhill has been quietly phenomenal. Even Dan Sorenson has shown signs of rejuvenation. With so many good options, safety hardly seems like a priority. That said, perhaps Chiefs depth, at safety, stems from Steve Spagnuolo’s coaching philosophy. Much as the offense continues to add talent to an, already loaded, receiving core, Chiefs should continue to stock up on versatile, smart safeties. This is especially true, given Mathieu’s ability to play very well, in the slot. Chiefs may miss out on the top of the CB class, but they’re likely to have their pick of some really good safety prospects who can also cover.

Pick 32: S, Antoine Winfield Jr.

Minnesota, 5’9” 203 lbs.

Winfield isn’t the biggest guy, but in every other aspect of his game, he’s a perfect fit for Steve Spagnuolo. Fast, fluid, and extremely smart. Sees the play develop and is rarely out of position. Physical enough to operate as a box safety, smart enough to play free safety, but may thrive best in cover 2, or as a nickel CB. Gives relentless effort, and comes from highly successful NFL bloodline (his father was a Pro Bowl CB, same name). Winfield is a day one starter, who offers insurance, if Mathieu gets hurt, but can be on the field, at the same time, and provide excellent value and versatility.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.45	None	36	124	None	None

Pick 63: S, Kyle Dugger

Lenoir-Rhyne, 6’1” 217 lbs.

Huge defensive back, who physically dominates his opponent. Really fast and explosive, with good hands. Coming from a smaller program, he’s going to take some time to digest the defense and read NFL offenses, but, once it clicks, Dugger will be an elite safety who can function as a Nickel Linebacker, Strong Safety, or even deep safety. Think Daniel Sorensen on steroids (but not literally, because no suspensions please). Dugger had a standout Senior Bowl, and Chiefs are known to value that heavily, in their evaluations.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.49	17	42	134	None	None

Pick 63: S, Jeremy Chinn

Southern Illinois, 6’3” 221 lbs.

Physical specimen. Huge, long, strong, fast and explosive. Great hands for a DB. Surprisingly fluid, might even be able to play CB. Chinn thrives is man coverage, but his zone stuff is still very raw. He has the skill set to be incredibly versatile, but from a recognition standpoint, he’s not there yet. Will struggle early in zone coverage, or when asked to read gaps as a Nickel Linebacker. With some polish, Chinn can be a dynamic, versatile threat who can erase other team’s mismatch TEs or bigger WRs, but he has enough things he does well now, to see the field early in a limited role.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.45	20	41	138	None	None

Pick 96: S, Terrell Burgess

Utah, 5’11” 202 lbs.

Really smart player, sees the play develop and explodes downhill. Relentless effort, never gives up on the play. Looks to have pretty good fluidity and speed. Position versatility. Can potentially play Free Safety, Nickel, or even outside. Arms are a little short and he’s not the most physical player. Burgess will never be a tone-setter on defense, but he’s a high football character prospect who will fit into the locker room and do whatever Steve Spagnuolo asks him to do. He’d be an excellent addition to Chiefs’ DB room and should be able to start early, if need be.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.46	20	33.5	122	None	None

Pick 138: S, Antoine Brooks Jr.

Maryland, 5’11” 220 lbs.

Physical box safety with an aggressive mentality. Pretty tight, and not very athletic, but he’s smart. Tone setter, who lets his personality show. Should be a good fit for Chiefs locker room, but he’ll probably start his career as a STs player and doesn’t really offer the versatility Chiefs prefer in a DB.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.64	18	34.5	None	None	None

Pick 177: S, Chris Miller

Baylor, 5‘11” 190 lbs.

Hyper aggressive, despite size. Really nice click and close. Plays with no hesitation and hits with ferocity. Miller is light, with short arms, and smaller hands. He’s pretty fluid, but not very fast. Should be limited to box, or short coverage, duties, but he’s definitely smaller than most guys who do that. Miller has the mentality and some physical traits to be an average starter, but will need to polish his instincts and start his career on STs. Motor is a big strength for him, but size concerns are real.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.61	12	35.5	133	7.09	4.12

Summary: Safety

The Chiefs boast one of the best safety tandems, in the NFL, when Juan Thornhill is healthy. Daniel Sorensen has consistently proved the be a useful player, with certain limitations. Chiefs may not have a true need, at Safety but, with the way Spags has deployed DBs, a couple of these players could be immediate and impactful starters. Adding a player like Dugger or Chinn to the secondary could offer a big boost vs the run in nickel packages. If K.C. can’t find a CB they like in the first round, Winfield could have a massive impact and allow for some really diverse coverages.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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Ransom Hawthorne

Ransom Hawthorne is an electrician living in central KS. He's married and has two young boys. Born in KS, and raised in Tucson, Ransom spent his middle school years in southern Mexico.