Safety is a problem.
To listen to fan chatter, you might not think so. Chiefs Kingdom is primarily concerned with the return of Patrick Mahomes for his first snaps (preseason or not) since tearing knee ligaments last December. Any leftover attention has been given over to an offensive line that looks like it will roll with a rookie free agent at left tackle. The volume on both topics is so loud that anything else is quickly drowned out.
But safety is a problem.
Chiefs injuries are exposing a thin safety depth chart
The Chiefs shelved both starters at safety for the third and final preseason game. Alohi Gilman, per head coach Andy Reid, has healed up enough to play against the Denver Broncos in the team's season-opening game on Monday Night Football, but he's still making his way back from a back injury. As for Chamarri Conner, a knee injury that kept him out of multiple weeks of practices and exhibitions has his status questionable for Week 1.
Assuming Reid is correct and that the injury report doesn't change too dramatically in the next few days, that means the Chiefs will be limited in the secondary. And that's a greater variable than some fans might realize.
K.C. needs an immediate leap from Jaden Hicks
The Chiefs have a solid third option in Jaden Hicks available. The third-year safety is an ideal candidate to blossom with more playing time after playing in 43 percent of snaps a year ago. He's coming off of a strong preseason showing, which has heightened expectations, but it's also true that he's failed to secure a starting role as expected because of mental lapses and a lack of trust from Steve Spagnuolo. After two seasons, with Conner on the mend, the Chiefs are going to need a leap forward from him from the jump.
Beyond the veterans, the Chiefs decided to let the kids play this preseason for any remaining roster spots. Perhaps that's fine with a stronger depth chart, but it makes the whole back end of the defense look shaky to think that Xavier Nwankpa is going to be tasked with a sizable role coming out of his first training camp. The undrafted free agent was a nice find for Brett Veach and could grow into something meaningful on defense, but anything more than special teams duties is a roll of the dice.
In years past, the Chiefs have at least signed a veteran to serve as a reliable floor at safety. Mike Edwards has often played that role. Deon Bush did a few years ago. On occasion, it's been a younger player, but that's often come with a veteran leader anchoring the group. Gilman is now in place, but without Conner, the drop in experience or talent could be startling.
The Chiefs have options but no proven safety net
That's not meant to be dramatic. The problem shouldn't be overstated here. The versatility of some of the other defensive backs could provide a salve. Chris Roland-Wallace can step in at safety. Would L'Jarius Sneed help at all? Jadon Canady's versatility was a hallmark in college, with snaps in the box and free safety, so the Chiefs could turn to him as well if Nwankpa is overwhelmed.
Week 1 is all about working out the kinks, and perhaps the secondary will surprise. After all, the whole unit has been rebuilt from the ground up after losing Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook in free agency and trading Trent McDuffie. But safety was already one of the thinner spots on the roster and the current mix of injuries is going to pressure the depth chart even more. Expect Bo Nix and the Denver offense to test the unit's readiness.
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