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Eight KC Chiefs players poised to improve in 2021

By Farzin Vousoughian

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with teammates Byron Pringle #13, Daniel Kilgore #67, and Demarcus Robinson #11 during a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with teammates Byron Pringle #13, Daniel Kilgore #67, and Demarcus Robinson #11 during a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Oct 5, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Juan Thornhill (22) intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Ryan Izzo (85) during the first quarter of a NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Juan Thornhill (22) intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Ryan Izzo (85) during the first quarter of a NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Juan Thornhill, Safety

Juan Thornhill looked like he should have been taken in the first round rather than the second in 2019. During Thornhill’s final year at Virginia in 2018, he was in the top five in college football in interceptions and interception return yards.

As a rookie in 2019 for the Chiefs, Thornhill had three interceptions for 46 yards along with a pick six, which he never had in college. Unfortunately, Thornhill missed the playoffs during Kansas City’s Super Bowl run after he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in Week 17. After starting all 16 games his rookie year, Thornhill appeared in all 16 games in 2020, but only started in eight of them. He finished 2020 with one interception and 14 fewer tackles.

Considering Thornhill’s ACL tear occurred late in the 2019 season, it is understandable as to why he did not see as much playing time his second year due to the short timetable for recovery. By the time the 2021 season starts, it will have been 19 months since his injury. Therefore, it is fair to expect a better showing from Thornhill this year.

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