Kansas City Chiefs cut defensive back Hakeem Bailey

The Chiefs have waived defensive back Hakeem Bailey this weekend.

The Kansas City Chiefs created a spot on their preseason roster by placing defensive back Hakeem Bailey on waivers on Saturday.

Bailey had joined the Chiefs right after the 2020 NFL Draft after going unselected despite a solid career with the West Virginia Mountaineers. In college, Bailey had 16 passes deflected, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles in three years of starting experience in the Big 12.

For the Chiefs, Bailey was going to be a longshot to make the team as a rookie free agent, even in a secondary where a standout performer would get noticed. The Chiefs invested two picks in developmental draft prospects hoping to impact the secondary in L’Jarius Sneed of Louisiana Tech and Thakarius “BoPete” Keyes from Tulane. In addition, Bailey was far from the only player undrafted free agent at the position looking to make his mark.

As for the open roster spot, the Chiefs immediately filled it by making their signing of safety Adrian Colbert official. The hard-hitting safety adds another veteran to the mix at the bottom of the depth chart, making for an intriguing competition among the likes of a familiar face like Armani Watts to go with another fellow import of Tedric Thompson, who was signed earlier this summer as well.

Brett Veach is clearly interested in creating significant competition in the secondary to give the Chiefs the deepest defense possible as they embrace the goal of defending their Super Bowl title. With a thin cornerback group given Bashaud Breeland‘s looming suspension and an ailing Juan Thornhill working his way back onto the field, it’s clear the Chiefs want to be ready from Week 1 in case of emergency.