KC Chiefs cornerbacks are only big concern going into regular season

The Kansas City Chiefs are entering the regular season with a very young secondary, specifically at the cornerback position. Having a lot of new faces at the position has Chiefs fans excited, however, youth is also a concern with such an overhaul.

Rashad Fenton is the team’s most seasoned veteran, around since 2019 after being drafted in the sixth round. L’Jarius Sneed was drafted in the fourth round in 2020. Both players are 25 years old. Sneed turns 26 in January while Fenton will be 26 in February.

Even last year, the Chiefs were young at cornerback. The Chiefs had Charvarius Ward, Mike Hughes, and Deandre Baker last season, all of whom have moved on outside of Kansas City. Ward was the oldest cornerback on the team at 25 when the season ended for the Chiefs with Hughes and Baker being 24.

When looking at the roster heading into the regular season, the cornerbacks are the biggest concern for the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Sneed had a solid rookie campaign, he took a step back in 2021 after allowing 67 receptions in 15 games. Those 67 receptions tied for second most catches allowed by a cornerback last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Chiefs went heavy at the cornerback position during the 2022 NFL Draft, using their first of two first-round picks on cornerback Trent McDuffie and then Joshua Williams in the fourth round. In the seventh round of the draft, the Chiefs added two more corners in Jaylen Watson and Nazeeh Johnson. Johnson, who is on the team’s practice squad, was drafted as a safety, but the Chiefs switched him to cornerback.

It’s certainly no secret what opposing offenses will try to do: attack the Chiefs’ young cornerbacks. If Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense were preparing for a defense that has a lot of young corners, every Chiefs fan would hope that Mahomes would use that inexperience to his advantage. While the inexperience at cornerback is a flaw and disadvantage, the Chiefs do have an answer for it.

Kansas City’s defensive line has former Pro Bowlers Chris Jones and Frank Clark, the latter of which is looking to improve this season. The Chiefs also added first-round draft selection George Karlaftis and veteran Carlos Dunlap to the defensive line. A strong defensive front that provides pressure consistently can help any secondary in the NFL. It is even more appreciated by an inexperienced secondary.

If the Chiefs’ defensive front disappoints, it could be a very long season for these first-year cornerbacks. But if the Chiefs’ front four shines and plays to its potential each week, there is a strong possibility that will translate into success for the cornerbacks. If the team’s defensive line can consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, it could lead to fewer completions allowed, more ill-advised passes thrown, and potentially more interceptions for the defense.

The cornerback position can be one of the hardest positions to play for rookies making the transition from college to the NFL. To Brett Veach’s credit, he brought in a young secondary but also a stout defensive line that is capable of doing what it takes to help a young secondary learn on the fly.