KC Chiefs: Sizing up the competition at cornerback

Returning Cornerbacks

The Chiefs will have several key returners at cornerback, all of whom are 25 and younger. They will all have to compete with rookies to see game action. While two are (presumed) locks to make the final roster, one will have to overcome a lot to avoid the practice squad or a late spring training cut.

L’Jarius Sneed

After being drafted in 2020, Sneed was a pleasant surprise as a rookie. In 541 defensive snaps (including 330) coverage snaps, he recorded 42 tackles and 3 interceptions, plus a PFF overall grade of 68.4 and a coverage grade of 71.2 ($) (with 60.0 considered “average”), the latter of which was good enough for 29th among all cornerbacks in 2020.

Sneed did take a step back in 2021. In over 1,100 defensive snaps (661 of which were coverage snaps), he earned an overall PFF grade of 63.6 and a coverage grade of 61.7. He also allowed 935 yards in coverage (up from 302 in 2020) and 5 touchdowns (up from 2). His passer rating allowed when targeted increased from 66.6 in 2020 to 100.5 in 2021.

The majority of Sneed’s NFL snaps have been in the slot. According to PFF, 626 of his 991 coverage snaps were in the slot. It is fair to say that Sneed is better in the slot. In 2021, Sneed allowed a passer rating of 93.6 in slot coverage snaps and a passer rating of 119.7 in non-slot coverage snaps, per PFF.

Sneed is about as safe of a bet to make the final roster out of any corner not named Trent McDuffie, but that doesn’t mean his snaps are automatically safe. He could also be moved to the outside full-time if the Chiefs want to start McDuffie out in the slot.

Rashad Fenton

After being drafted 201st overall by the Chiefs in 2019, I think it’s reasonable to say that Fenton has been one of Veach’s best value picks since he became GM.

He earned PFF coverage grades of 74.4, 74.6, and 77.3 ($) in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. The 2021 coverage grade of 77.3 was good enough for 9th among all cornerbacks in the NFL. The majority of Fenton’s coverage snaps were on the outside, with 64 coverage snaps in the slot and 358 outside. He allowed a passer rating of 95.4 in the slot in 2021 and a passer rating of 87.7 in coverage when outside. Also according to PFF, the only touchdown he allowed in coverage all year was Ja’Marr Chase’s touchdown late in the third quarter of the AFC Championship.

Overall, despite Fenton exceeding expectations throughout his NFL career, his snaps are not guaranteed for 2022. He’ll likely be behind Sneed, and possibly even McDuffie, on the depth chart. But if the Chiefs play enough dime defense or three cornerbacks in nickel, he’ll likely only have to beat out rookies Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson, plus Deandre Baker for coverage snaps.

Deandre Baker

I believe it’s fair to say that Deandre Baker’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs has not gone well. In 2021, in 178 coverage snaps, he earned a slightly below average PFF coverage grade of 56.0 ($) and allowed 18 receptions on 24 targets for 229, plus 1 touchdown over those snaps.

Before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baker was waived by the New York Giants after he was charged with four counts of robbery with a firearm in Florida. The charges were eventually dropped, and a couple of days later, the Chiefs signed him to their practice.

I don’t think it’s unfair to say that Baker’s NFL career has been disappointing, both in an on-field and off-field sense, for a former first-round pick. He’ll have to fight for a spot on the active roster with Jaylen Watson and other reserves, such as Dicaprio Bootle and Luq Barcoo.

But if Baker can reach his first-round potential in 2022, that would be critical for the Chiefs’ depth at a position in which they have to be deep since the AFC is loaded with good quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Let’s not go over the Chiefs’ cornerback room as a whole, and who is likely to make the team, and who may be destined for the practice squad.