PFF projects Bashaud Breeland will re-sign with Chiefs

Pro Football Focus projects that Bashaud Breeland will be back with the Chiefs in 2020 and beyond.

It might feel a bit off to think about the upcoming NFL free agency period as a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, but looking around, it’s clear that most NFL fan bases are already dreaming of what could be in 2021. For that reason, the folks over at Pro Football Focus have put together their list of Top 100 Free Agents along with their predictions of where they will land. For the Chiefs, their lone projection is that they’ll bring back a familiar face.

Cornerback Bashaud Breeland comes in at No. 90 overall on their list, and their analysis has him landing a two-year deal worth up to $10 million ($5.5M guaranteed) to stay with the Chiefs in 2021 and beyond.

Breeland has certainly been a welcome addition back this season, especially given how well he performed for the team after returning from a four-game suspension to start the year. After L’Jarius Sneed went down with a fractured collarbone and missed several games following a strong start, Breeland’s return helped stabilize the secondary and gave the Chiefs plenty of depth down the stretch as everyone came back healthy.

That said, it’s interesting that the Chiefs would need to re-sign Breeland when the team seems quite loaded with young, cost-controlled talent at cornerback specifically for the next couple years—especially after the gift known as Deandre Baker landed in their laps at midseason.

As it stands now, a talented young player like Rashad Fenton, who showed great improvement in early playing time, is not getting any snaps with the depth the team currently has. Fenton is back next year, as is Charvarius Ward, Sneed, and Baker. That’s not to mention an improved BoPete Keyes or other young players the Chiefs will add. In addition, it’s important to remember names like Alex Brown (on injured reserve) and Chris Lammons or even Rodney Clemons (practice squad) who could compete for a roster spot going forward.

The tipping point here could be the uncertainty of Baker’s availability going forward. He’s a ready-made starter when healthy but after breaking his femur, it’s impossible to say one way or the other if the Chiefs can rely upon him. That said, Sneed and Ward can already handle the boundaries without Breeland and Fenton is a worthy slot corner in the middle. If Baker is ready, then Sneed is likely back inside and the Chiefs have tons of depth.

Given the declining salary cap ceiling next season to make up COVID financial losses in 2020, the Chiefs are going to have to make some tough decisions. One of those could certainly be to move forward with a young cornerback group knowing that the team has strong leaders in other places. Then again, if the front office likes the price, keeping Breeland could give the Chiefs plenty of security in the secondary going into ’21.