Kansas City’s secondary features a pair potential Pro Bowl first timers
Charvarius Ward
Ward has had one of the most incredible ascensions in recent memory, from undrafted rookie free agent in 2018 to CB1 for a Super Bowl Championship team at the conclusion of the 2019 season. What a wild ride.
The Chiefs traded disappointing and soon-to-be-cut offensive lineman Parker Ehinger to the Dallas Cowboys for Ward prior to the start of his first season in the league. Since that time, Ward has played in 34 of 37 games for Kansas City, including all 19 games (including the playoffs) in the Chiefs 2019 Super Bowl championship season.
To make the Pro Bowl, Ward has to make more plays. But he’s also got to be recognized as the best cornerback on the team. With slot man Kendall Fuller now back with Washington, the title is all Ward’s to take advantage of. If Kansas City has a top 15 pass defense in 2020, Ward will be on his first Pro Bowl team.
Juan Thornhill
This may be an unpopular opinion, but Juan Thornhill should have been a Pro Bowler in 2019. Prior to being placed on Injured Reserve following an ACL tear in Week 16 of his rookie season, Thornhill was electric playing alongside All-World safety Tyrann Mathieu. During his rookie year, in which he started every game for a Super Bowl Champion defense, Thornhill had 3 interceptions, 5 pass breakups and 58 tackles en route to being a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
By the end of the season, it was clear that general manager Brett Veach had hit a home run with this second round draft pick, as the former Virginia star really came into his own as the season wound down. If Thornhill returns at the start of the 2020 season, he should be a Pro Bowl lock, despite stiff competition at safety across the rest of the league.