L’Jarius Sneed earns high marks for versatility and hands for Chiefs
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs have given themselves more versatility and depth in the secondary with the selection of L’Jarius Sneed.
The Kansas City Chiefs faced a need for more young talent and overall depth in the secondary heading into the 2020 NFL Draft but ignored the roster issue for the first two days of the event. On Day 3, the Chiefs finally addressed things with the selection of Louisiana Tech’s L’Jarius Sneed in the fourth round.
Before we get to Sneed, it’s important to note the context of the pick. The Chiefs have only two cornerbacks under contract after the 2020 season in starter Charvarius Ward and rotational corner Rashad Fenton. The Chiefs have been placing one-year bandages on the position ever since Marcus Peters was traded. Some of those have worked (Bashaud Breeland) and others have not (David Amerson, Darrelle Revis). The loss of Kendall Fuller this offseason only exacerbated the need.
The Chiefs to add someone via the draft to allow for not only immediate depth but to have some young, cost-controlled talent who they could develop and rely upon in years to come.
Sneed comes into the pros as a starting safety for the Ragin’ Cajuns but he’s played plenty of cornerback in the past—before the 2019 season. He’s got the requisite length and track-star speed (he ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.37 seconds) that the Chiefs are excited to work with. He also has busy hands with 28 passes defended and 8 interceptions in his college career.
Let’s take a look at some more responses around the pick and what they tell us about Sneed.
Chiefs pop DB L'Jarius Sneed at 4.138 -- my favorite sleeper CB
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 25, 2020
SPARQ: 98
Adj SPARQ: .81
RAS: 9.55
4.37 40, 41-inch vert, 10-11 broad
CB/S versatility, will level up back at CB... opposing QB rating of 61.8 on 153 targets with 50% completions on targets lined up as outside CB pic.twitter.com/QA5L5Gs1K2
L’Jarius Sneed is a superior athlete who can play CB or Safety. Big play ability, good ball skills but is mentally very raw. Start as a special teamer and let him develop into a potential stud for the #Chiefs
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) April 25, 2020
Really good athlete who could easily play corner in KC
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 25, 2020
Even though Bryce Hall is a better player, L'Jarius Sneed was the 100th player on my board one of "my guys". Played the LSU guys tough in 2018 as a corner. I think he def needs to move back to corner. Traits and athleticism there are crazy though
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 25, 2020
Given the Chiefs work with other developmental players on the roster like Ward and Fenton, Sneed offers perhaps even better raw materials to work with here and a higher floor of experience. Expectations should be tempered for any immediate impact, but with this versatility and skill set, the Chiefs should be very optimistic about what Sneed can bring to the secondary for the long haul.