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Kansas City Chiefs: Analyzing Andy Reid’s historic use of rookies

By Lyle Graversen

DAVIE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: Head Coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the Kansas City Chiefs practice prior to Super Bowl LIV at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on January 30, 2020 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
DAVIE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: Head Coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the Kansas City Chiefs practice prior to Super Bowl LIV at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on January 30, 2020 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Defensive back L’Jarius Sneed of Louisiana Tech runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Defensive back L’Jarius Sneed of Louisiana Tech runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

L’Jarius Sneed

While many Chiefs fans were hoping for the Chiefs to find defensive back help earlier in the draft, the team eventually added L’Jarius Sneed in the fourth round. Sneed is viewed as having the physical tools the Chiefs look for on the outside, but what should Chiefs fans be expecting from Sneed as a rookie? Over his previous 21 drafts Andy Reid has taken defensive backs 33 times and nine of those were in the fourth round.

Here are some important averages to consider:

  • Reid’s 4th round picks: 8.6 games active, 2.0 starts (1.5 w/o the kicker)
  • Reid’s DB draft picks: 9.8 games active, 2.0 starts
  • Reid’s 4th round DB picks: 11.1 games active, 0.7 starts

Once again, the historical averages are not in favor of Sneed contributing much (at least as a starter) as a rookie. Regardless of which of the averages you look at above, it appears to be foolish to predict Sneed to start more than a game or two as a rookie. As the roster currently stands, the Chiefs could potentially need Sneed to play more than that if projected starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland were to miss any time via suspension for off the field issues. Maybe Sneed will prove himself worthy of that, but the combination of Reid’s history and Sneed’s perception as a raw talent in need of coaching, probably make that unlikely.

When looking at the nine defensive backs taken in the fourth round by Andy Reid previously, there simply isn’t a good comparison to Sneed to be found. Probably the best of those nine players is former safety Quintin Demps. Andy Reid simply hasn’t had a lot of luck with drafted cornerbacks over his career. Marcus Peters is clearly the most talented corner he has taken, and he was taken in the first round. If you are looking for that mid-round corner that he took that turned into a great or even solid starter, you’re going to be looking for quite a while. Hopefully Sneed can break that trend.

Next up let’s look and see if history gives us any hope for our 5th round pick.

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