Chiefs roster evaluation: Tyrann Matheiu, Juan Thornhill emerge as top safety duo

What actually happened?

Despite the high expectations for the safety position going into 2019, the group managed to exceed them and become a strength of the team. Mathieu quickly took over as the leader on the defensive side of the ball. He led by example by rarely coming off of the field (had the most defensive snaps with 1,095). The energy and attitude that he brought were contagious.

Mathieu lived up to his new contract and leadership role with his production as well. In 16 games, he recorded 75 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions (team-best), and 12 pass breakups (also team-best). It didn’t matter where “Landlord” lined up, as he was around the football making plays.

Kansas City couldn’t have asked for a better partner to give Mathieu than Juan Thornhill. The two fed off of one another with their competitive drive, which was on full display following the win against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. After the veteran picked off rookie quarterback Drew Lock in the end zone, it was negated by a penalty. Shortly after, Thornhill intercepted Lock and brought some friendly trash talk to his teammate on the sideline.

Both receivers had pass breakups against the divisional rival Broncos, including Mathieu ripping the ball out of Courtland Sutton‘s hands in the end zone. A team that lacked playmaking ability on the back end of the defense in 2018 found two playmakers to deploy in 2019. Thornhill finished the season starting all 16 games with 58 tackles, 3 interceptions (including one that was returned for a touchdown), and 5 pass breakups.

With Thornhill and Mathieu on the roster, it allowed Daniel Sorensen to move back to a limited, specific role. Sorensen was used primarily as a box safety to help against the run or to cover running backs coming out of the backfield in the passing game. Without a linebacker that excels in coverage, Sorensen came onto the field, allowing Mathieu to continue playing his role within the defense. Dirty Dan ended the regular season with 45 tackles and two interceptions.

Unfortunately, Thornhill was lost just before the playoffs suffering a torn ACL. Sorensen provided multiple big-time plays during the postseason. The most memorable one likely was the major turning point against the Houston Texans when he recognized a fake punt and stopped the Texans shy of the first down. It gave the offense excellent field position to score a second time, and the Chiefs never looked back.

Cornerback Kendall Fuller saw even more time at safety once Thornhill was lost for the season. He played well in Thornhill’s absence on the back end. Fuller doesn’t have the range that Thornhill possesses, but it was evident that he was getting better at the safety position towards the final games. It might be a position that is better suited for his skill set down the road.

Jordan Lucas and second-year safety Armani Watts saw little time with the defense. Even after Thornhill was sent to Injured Reserve, most of their contributions came on special teams.