Kansas City Chiefs: Pro Football Focus Rankings For Every Position After Week 7
By Brett Gering
Secondary
Oct 19, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Ron Parker (38) breaks up a pass intended for San Diego Chargers wide receiver Eddie Royal (11) in the final seconds of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Chiefs won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
If Sean Smith continues his current trend of play, I’ll gladly eat a buffet of crow. Wideouts are catching just 54.3 percent of passes in his vicinity, and he has allowed only 45 total yards after the catch this season.
Smith’s five pass defenses also rank eighth among corners.
Chris Owens’ marks would likely be higher if he hadn’t been forced to play outside the numbers earlier in the year. At 5’9”, 180 pounds, he combated the same issues that plagued Brandon Flowers throughout 2013.
Marcus Cooper’s general technique (particularly his footwork) has haunted him throughout the first seven weeks. Only five cornerbacks have allowed more than his 17 yards per reception, and quarterbacks have posted a cumulative 140.2 passer rating when throwing in his direction—second-worst among his league-wide peers.
Husain Abdullah has been a model of consistency. When going against him, pass-catchers are averaging a meager 7.8 yards per reception.
Abdullah’s three quarterback hits also lead all NFL safeties.
With Eric Berry sidelined the past four games, Ron Parker has reverted to his former position and performed better than most would have expected. His downfall has come in the form of run defense, periodically missing tackles due to misjudged angles or over-pursuing.
However, Parker, along with Abdullah, has effectively repelled any vertical threats from opposing passers—a trend that tortured Kansas City’s secondary throughout 2013.
Smith’s CB Ranking: No. 16 of 106
Owens’ CB Ranking: No. 74 of 106
Abdullah’s S Ranking: No. 12 of 82
Parker’s S Ranking: No. 54 of 82
Cooper’s CB Ranking: No. 103 of 106