What we learned from Chiefs snap counts in Week 4

Bryan Cook

There are good reasons why Bryan Cook has largely gone ignored by analysts and fans. He was the fourth overall draft pick in a loaded class and one of five defensive backs selected. He occupied a position that already had starters entrenched, so playing time was always going to be limited. He was slower to stand out among his peers, so Cook generated very few headlines in the spring or summer.

Four weeks into the season, however, and Cook is playing catch-up very quickly. The Chiefs have already made him a special teams staple on coverage units, but on Sunday, he earned his first majority share of defensive snaps, coming in at 73 percent of overall reps. The move relegated former Bears safety Deon Bush to core special teams duties, but that’s what the Chiefs want to see.

On Sunday, Cook had a great hit on Tom Brady and another great pass deflection of a pass to Cameron Brate to go with his five tackles. He’s a tough player who gives real teeth to the Chiefs secondary. He’s a major step up from Dan Sorensen if he’s ready for regular reps with a higher floor and substantially higher ceiling. Plus if he’s this pro-ready after a quarter-season, then the Chiefs won’t feel so much pressure when Juan Thornhill hits free agency in the spring.

Skyy Moore

Fans have been waiting for this moment for Skyy Moore. No, it wasn’t much, but the Chiefs at least showed some interest in getting Moore some offensive snaps and looks in the passing game in Week 4 against the Buccaneers, and that alone is going to satisfy legions of fans who’ve been hungry to see the team’s top offensive draft pick get his shot in this offensive system.

The Chiefs have taken a while to get Moore involved in the offense despite the second-round investment, but the truth is that there’s been a lot to figure out in the wake of trading Tyreek Hill and importing several new faces in free agency. The team’s offensive identity has shifted and Moore had some learning to do anyway. After all, the team is also leaning on him as their primary punt returner—mistakes against the Colts, be damned.

Moore only played on 28 percent of snaps on Sunday but those 22 snaps are almost exactly what he played in the first three weeks combined on offense (23 snaps). You gotta think that trend only climbs higher in the coming weeks as he gets his bearings and earns more trust from Mahomes and the team’s coaching staff.