Can the Chiefs rely on young cornerbacks to fill in for Bashaud Breeland?

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without cornerback Bashaud Breeland for the first four weeks. What does the defense look like without him?

As the season draws closer, the Kansas City Chiefs will submit their final roster on Saturday and play their first regular-season game against the Houston Texans next Thursday night. Unfortunately, the defense will be without cornerback Bashaud Breeland for the first four weeks of the season with a suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

During the first four weeks, the Chiefs will play against the Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots. Charvarius Ward started primarily on the right side of the defense last year, opposite of Breeland, but who will be lining up across from him for the first month of the season? Will Ward remain on the right side?

Behind Ward on the depth chart, the Chiefs are thin at cornerback with players that have seen very little or no playing time at the NFL level. Rashad Fenton stepped up during his rookie season last year and played above expectations. Kansas City signed Antonio Hamilton over the offseason who has been primarily a special teams contributor for most of his career. Behind those two, 2020 fourth-round pick L’Jarius Sneed looks to be the next option.

Regardless of who is playing opposite of Ward, that still leaves a lack of experience at working in the slot. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will likely call upon safety Tyrann Mathieu to help in that area with the return of Juan Thornhill. Daniel Sorensen could see considerable playing time as a third safety for the first month of the season as well. So what are the best options for the Chiefs at cornerback behind Ward?