Chiefs name starting secondary for camp
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid named his starting secondary heading into camp.
One of the major storylines going into the offseason for Kansas City was the starting secondary. When Sean Smith left for the Oakland Raiders, it left a clear void opposite of Marcus Peters, the only sure starter of the corner group.
Following the completion of minicamp, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid clarified some things for the media, including who is entering training camp as starters in the defensive backfield. Reid has Peters and Phillip Gaines starting on the outside, with second-year man Steven Nelson starting in the slot.
Andy Reid said Steve Nelson has earned the nickel spot right now. Also noted Phillip Gaines on the outside w/ Marcus Peters.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 16, 2016
This is clearly the right move at this juncture. The Chiefs invested heavily at corner with D.J. White in the sixth round and KeiVarae Russell in the third, while drafting Eric Murray in the fourth. Murray has since been moved to safety, while Russell and White battle for spots on the depth chart.
Nelson has been making plays throughout OTAs and minicamp. If he can step up and make some plays for the Chiefs in 2016, it would be a huge lift for a largely unproven group.
While Reid listed starters headed into camp, that can all change with both injuries and development. It should be a fun summer.