Kansas City Chiefs: Building the worst team from the last decade

Cornerback

This is one position where I can look at a lot of players that played very poorly in Kansas City. For those worried about this position as it pertains to this season, please rest assured. The Chiefs corners are much better than they could be.

The Worst: Phillip Gaines

I had such high hopes. I really did. Unfortunately Phillip Gaines never progressed further than what he accomplished in his rookie season. I believe this could have to do with the knee injury that he sustained that knocked him out for the season in 2015.

Whatever the case, Chiefs fans were happy to see his departure this season and for good reason. Gaines recorded 1 interception during his four years in Kansas City. He recorded 90 tackles, which is a lot for a cornerback, but not for one who gives up a lot of ground to opposing wideouts.

The Worst: Jamell Fleming

Jamell Fleming came to the Chiefs in 2014 and stayed until he was let go in to 2016. In two seasons, Chiefs fans will remember Fleming’s awful play against Peyton Manning. Manning, who was known for picking at a scab in the defense, threw at Fleming a lot when they played against one another. Fleming quickly became a major problem for the Chiefs defense. He finished with two losses to the Denver Broncos, 43 tackles, and 0 interceptions in his two years as a Chief.

The Worst: Jalil Brown

Brown was another draft pick that many were excited about, including myself. However Brown’s career in Kansas City was short-lived. In two seasons, Jalil Brown started two games for the Chiefs and played a lot of snaps. Unfortunately for him, he was also injured frequently. Because of injuries and the lack of progression, Brown landed on this list as another disappointment in the Chiefs secondary. In two years he recorded 32 tackles, and a forced fumble.

Honorable mention: Javier Arenas (the trade return for Tony Gonzalez), Maurice Leggett, Donald Washington

Safety

For the Chiefs currently, Eric Berry leads the defense. For the Chiefs in the past, the safety position has had some up and downs. Last season, in Berry’s absence, the defensive backfield struggled mightily. But remember, it could always be worse.

The Worst: Sabby Piscitelli

The Chiefs front office wanted fans to believe in Piscitelli, stating that he was a great player at practice. In 2011, Piscitelli made it to #1 on the depth chart. Unfortunately for Kansas City, opposing teams were able to expose his weaknesses and throw over the top pretty easily. He finished with 28 tackles in his only year with the Chiefs and his last year in the NFL. Piscitelli is now a professional wrestler. No, really. He is.

The Worst: Tysyn Hartman

This is a guy that some may remember more for his college career at Kansas State than his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hartman came to the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2012. With the lack of depth at Safety, the Chiefs gave Hartman two starts. In those starts, it became clear that Hartman was a special teams player and not a base defense guy. In his one NFL season, Hartman put up 19 tackles.

Honorable mention: Mike Brown, Dajuan Morgan