Kansas City Chiefs: Should Chiefs Spend On Cornerback In Free Agency?

The Kansas City Chiefs need some major help when it comes to the cornerback position in 2019, but should they spend money on the position in free agency?

One of the most significant needs for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason is cornerback once again. General manager Brett Veach overhauled the defensive personnel last offseason but did little to address the secondary positions. With that being said, it’s clear that Veach needs to make some bigger moves this year instead of waiting until the sixth round to draft a rookie and grabbing the bottom of the barrel during training camp.

Last offseason, the Chiefs traded away cornerback Marcus Peters and brought in cornerback Kendall Fuller as a part of the Alex Smith trade with the Washington Redskins. While I’m a big fan of Fuller and think he will thrive under the new coaching staff that has been brought in, he’s a downgrade from Peters as of right now. Outside of that move, the Chiefs depending on late round and undrafted rookies or veterans cut late in training camp is unacceptable to do for another season following giving up the second most passing yards in 2018.

Undrafted rookie cornerback Charvarius Ward made the most of his opportunity starting in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks and through the playoffs. However, how much of that will continue in 2019 now that teams have some film on the young corner? We have seen this story before where a cornerback comes in towards the end of a season looking hot and the following season teams have his number. That’s right, I’m talking about Terrence Mitchell.

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I’m not saying that I fully expect that to happen to Ward, but the team has to have a better plan in 2019 if they really are convinced they are right there to win a Super Bowl.

Kansas City cannot wait until late in the preseason to figure out what they are going to do at one of the most important positions. They will also have most of their cornerback group from 2018 leaving the building this offseason.

Obviously, cornerback Orlando Scandrick will be on his way out this offseason after being benched for Ward late in the season. Another name that will likely not return to the Chiefs in 2019 is veteran cornerback Steven Nelson. It’s not that Nelson isn’t a worthy cornerback to suit up in Kansas City again. It’s more of a situation of not wanting to overspend on an average to slightly above average cornerback.

We all know that teams end up overspending in free agency. That’s the name of the game. Cornerback takes it a step further every season bringing in major contracts. Many fans will be surprised, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Nelson finds a team willing to spend just shy of elite money on him in free agency and that’s just not a contract this team can afford nor should make.

Given that the only cornerbacks on the roster going into the offseason that are locked down for 2019 are Fuller, Ward, and sixth-round pick Tremon Smith, the Chiefs need to find some help. We talked about the limited time for Ward toward the end of the season, and then there’s Smith who hasn’t looked good so far when given the opportunity. Could both of those guys get better this offseason and look like starters come the 2019 season? Sure, anything is possible but I’m not putting all my chips in that basket.

If you ask me, Kansas City needs to find two more solid cornerbacks this offseason. Someone to play as not only the third cornerback role but someone to compete with Ward for that second spot as well. Following the first season without Marcus Peters and looking at the Super Bowl from last season, the Chiefs need to find themselves a lockdown cornerback that they can leave one-on-one with top name receivers. Unfortunately, you likely won’t find that in the free agency market this year given that the cornerback class being weaker than in years past.

Outside of Steven Nelson, the only cornerback that would put up a fight arguably to unseat him as the number one available player at the position is former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby. The issue with Darby is that he has had trouble staying healthy including last season when he suffered a torn ACL. He’s expected to be ready by the time the 2019 season rolls around, but spending big money on the young man might not be a move the Chiefs can afford.

Some other names toward the top of the group would include Bryce Callahan, Pierre Desir, and Kareem Jackson. Given that the Chiefs best safety is primarily a slot cornerback in Kendall Fuller, Callahan makes little sense for the Chiefs. He’s also got injury history of his own. Pierre Desir is an interesting talent who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns where he did very little but earned a big second contract during his time with the Indianapolis Colts this past season. He’s another player that will likely be out of the Chiefs price range.

Jackson is another cornerback that had a breakout season in 2018 with the Houston Texans but turns 31 in April. Given his age, this could be a player that will see offers that are shorter but still get paid handsomely.

Given the limited amount of talent in free agency and how many teams need cornerback help, most of these guys will end up getting overpaid. I don’t think the Chiefs need to go out and overspend on a young talent that isn’t at the elite level in the NFL already. Kansas City is trying to get out of some of those overpaid contracts and given the contracts that will be taking place this offseason most likely with wide receiver Tyreek Hill and defensive lineman Chris Jones, making a long-term move just doesn’t fit in this group of free agents.

If I were Veach, I would see if I couldn’t get a guy like Kareem Jackson on a short deal. Finding a veteran cornerback that doesn’t need a whole season to get used to the speed of the NFL and already has experience is something that would benefit the defense. Whether Jackson would be able to be snagged for a team friendly deal would hinge on how desperate other teams are and his age. Maybe the Chiefs could convince him given how close they are to the Super Bowl.

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I truly believe that Veach needs to be aggressive to snag one of the top three corners in this years draft class for a starter in 2019. If they can do that and grab a guy like Jackson who wouldn’t need to develop, but ready to start for a team friendly deal, this cornerback group looks much improved. With numerous needs around the roster, the Chiefs can’t afford to overpay for one of these guys that won’t turn around your entire defense considering their salary cap numbers.

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