The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at Safety

The Lazy Big Board:

Chiefs Targets at Safety

by Ransom Hawthorne | March 8, 2019

The Kansas City Chiefs Safety position has been a primary target for many fans this offseason. In a way, that’s surprising, because it had generally been a strength. Last year the wheels kind of fell off. Eric Berry was day to day, Daniel Sorensen was coming off an injury, Armani Watts got injured, Ron Parker was old, and Eric Murray was neither terrible nor especially good. With a new defensive staff, Chiefs will likely be looking to turn over the safety position, and add some different types of players. Sutton wanted guys who could play both spots, I think Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Merritt are looking for specialists. Personally, I like that better. Versatility is nice, when injuries happen, but there’s something to be said for guys being able to focus in on one job, and build their frames, accordingly.

Pick 29 None: Two years in a row we’ve seen a robust safety group in FA, and reasonable prices. Safety just isn’t a premium position, so unless there’s a game-changing player, at the position, it’s best addressed outside the 1^st. I wouldn’t hate it if Chiefs took Jonathan Abrams here, but I don’t think they should.

Pick 61 or 63 S Darnell Savage, Maryland 5′11” 198 lbs: Hard charging safety who plays with speed and intensity. Motor runs hot. Slams into traffic, full throttle, with no regard for his body. Solid in coverage. Fluid enough to play some slot CB, as needed. Ballhawk, with increasing ball production each year, including four interceptions his senior year. He’s a little small for a safety, but I think he can thrive in a single high role, thanks to his great speed, and instincts. Offers some juice as a blitzer, burst off the edge has to be accounted for, if you put him on the line, at the snap. If Chiefs are going to draft a safety high, he needs to be tone setter. Savage has the name and the personality to do just that.

Pick 92 S Amani Hooker, Iowa 5‘11” 210 lbs: Chiefs have been rumored to be looking for some safeties who can also play CB. Watts fits that with his agility and instincts. He’s not quite as fast as you want for a FS, but he’s got the versatility to play there, as well as at SS. Best fit is as a bigger slot CB, who can handle TEs. Wish his arms were a little longer, but he’s a competitor, with solid instincts. In a weak safety class, he’s a decent player with some versatility who should be excellent, on STs, while Chiefs figure out where he fits best.

Pick 167 Sheldrick Redwine, Miami 6‘ 196 lbs: Tools to play single high, or in the box, at a high level. Good tackler, who wraps up well. A little too passive, at times. Needs to rally to the ball better. Coverage needs a little work. Redwine can be a really good player… if you can coach him up and keep him motivated. Usually I worry about effort level, from a player, but later in the draft, I think Redwine is head and shoulders above any other safety prospect, who will be available.

Pick 201 S Mike Edwards, Kentucky 5‘ 10” 205 lbs: Smart, high effort player, who isn’t the greatest athlete. Should fit well in the box, or as a big nickel, to handle TEs. Familiarity with Matt House likely means he could be up to speed quickly. Edwards might not be an elite athlete, but he showcases the physicality, effort, and intelligence to thrive in the NFL, albeit, in a limited role.

Pick 214 or 216 S Malik Gant, Marshall 6‘ 209 lbs: Feisty Safety prospect, with no complacency in his game. Reads his keys and goes. Played FS, in college, but athletic limitations make him more a box guy in the NFL. Fantastic in the locker room, great leader who plays with passion. Toub will love him on STs, and he’ll provide some interesting depth, in the box.

With big needs at CB, and on the edge, I expect Chiefs to fill their safety holes, prior to the draft. I really like Savage, but the smart move, for the Chiefs, is probably snagging a guy like Redwine, later in the draft. If Chiefs somehow make it to the draft still needing edge, CB, and S, Amani Hooker might be a smart pick. He’s not an ideal fit, at CB, but he can give you some reps there, and not be awful. How Chiefs attack the draft, will tell you a lot about Spagnuolo’s evaluation, of the existing talent.

Honorable Mentions

Jonathan Abram: My top SS in the draft, Chiefs could probably snag him, in the 1^st, but I don’t see the value. He’s likely to be gone, by the time they pick, in the 2^nd.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson: I like Johnson as prospect. If Chiefs think he can play some CB, I wouldn’t mind taking him in the 1^st. That said, I think his fit is more so at safety, and I just don’t see spending a 1^st round pick there, with bigger needs to fill, and more expensive positions.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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