Grading the KC Chiefs defense prior to the 2021 NFL Draft

Safeties: A

The Chiefs safety unit is among the best units on the team. Once a severe weakness, following the lower leg injury and subsequent absence of Eric Berry, the front office dedicated itself to improving the backend of the defense.

In one offseason the team brought in veteran Tyrann Mathieu on a multi-year deal and made Juan Thornhill their second selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. Both went on to post impressive seasons, with Mathieu earning a First Team All Pro nod and Thornhill looking like a future star before an injury to end the season. Mathieu followed up his stellar 2019 season with another First Team All Pro nod. While Thornhill struggled early in the season, he seemed to regain his fast-twitch supremacy to end the postseason. There’s nothing but high expectations for this pairing in 2021.

The team also managed to bring back Dan Sorensen on a team friendly deal this offseason. While Sorensen has never electrified with his athleticism, he has always impressed with his ability to make the little plays. In the 2019 playoffs, he was one of the major catalysts for the comeback that catapulted the team to it’s first Super Bowl in 50 seasons. His heroic stop on a fake punt and a forced fumble on the following kickoff led to multiple Chiefs touchdowns.

Sorensen followed that up with a quality 2020 season, playing a significant percentage of the team’s snaps, and a game-defining play in the Divisional Round of the 2020 playoffs. With time running out in the first half, Sorensen forced a fumble that in hindsight may have saved the Chiefs chances at returning to the Super Bowl.

All in all, this unit has the top-end talent and the veteran backups to give it a chance at a top-five unit for the 2021 season. It’s easily the best unit on the defense and well-deserving of its “A” grade.