Five Kansas City Chiefs players who must step up in 2022

CB L’Jarius Sneed

As a rookie, L’Jarius Sneed played just nine games, starting six of them, due to a collarbone injury. Sneed wasted little time making an impact in his Chiefs debut.

In the first NFL game of the 2020 season, Sneed came away with an interception in his NFL debut against Deshaun Watson. He had two more in his limited rookie campaign. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. There was a lot of promise for Sneed in his future with the Chiefs, especially if he stayed healthy.

Unfortunately, Sneed took a big step back in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus. Sneed allowed 90 receptions, which is the most among cornerbacks, and 935 yards, the second most at that position last year. Pro Football Focus gave Sneed a 63.6 grade, tying him 94th with Shaun Wade and Steven Nelson.

Cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Mike Hughes have moved on. Making Sneed one of the few returning cornerbacks, along with Rashad Fenton and Deandre Baker. It would seem certain that the Chiefs spend at least one of their first six picks in the first three rounds on a cornerback.

The Chiefs are very thin with their secondary at the moment. Safety Tyrann Mathieu is unlikely to return and he led the Chiefs in interceptions with three. As a team, the Chiefs collected 15 interceptions, which was the 12th most in 2022.

The 25-year-old Louisiana Tech product will need to step up to help as Kansas City will have a lot of new faces in the secondary for 2022.