Ranking the best secondaries on the Kansas City Chiefs 2024 schedule
Playing any defensive back position is a major challenge in today's NFL. However, that difficulty increases much further when having to face Patrick Mahomes. Even with a mediocre wide receiver room last year, Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to a second straight Super Bowl win. Now with some additions for his cast of offensive weapons, who knows how much more dangerous the Chiefs' aerial attack could be in 2024.
Entering this upcoming campaign, Kansas City is set to face off against some stingy defensive backs and overall secondaries. Some of the secondaries boast long and physical defenders who love to play man coverage. Elsewhere, there are well-rounded units who can force quarterbacks to overthink for a grueling 60 minutes. The Chiefs will also have the benefit of facing some secondaries that lack depth entering 2024.
These are the five best opposing secondaries on the Chiefs' 2024 schedule. Overall, the final spot is a place where I went back and forth a few different times. In the end, this is who made the cut. Let's kick things off with a secondary that includes a former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back at number five.
5. New Orleans Saints
It came down to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints at this position. For these rankings, the overall depth of New Orleans held up more than that of Pittsburgh. Tyrann Mathieu will return to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Chiefs this year. Since joining New Orleans, the Honey Badger has 7 interceptions and 17 pass breakups over two years. With his ball-hawking ability still at an above-average level, plus his ability to make stops in space, the Saints have a stellar leader at safety.
Meanwhile, Marshon Lattimore is still a serviceable piece at cornerback week in and week out. He seems to get lost in the shuffle among top cornerbacks. But even as a long-tenured player, Lattimore is able to frustrate receivers with his tenacity and savvy play at the catch point.
Finally, defenders like Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo have quietly had solid starts to their careers. Taylor has been a versatile piece, while also showing off a physical side, as a nickel cornerback. As for Adebo, he just never seems to be caught off guard. His recovery quickness stands out, as does his instincts and ball skills.