The Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off training camp this week, and with the annual trek to St. Joseph nearly here, we're examining every position group on the roster heading into camp.
We'll wrap up this series with the defensive back group, where the Chiefs currently employ 18 players. Let's take a look at each, grouped by safeties and cornerbacks.
Safeties
Let's break down the Chiefs' six primary safeties currently on the roster, beginning with last year's starters in Justin Reid and Bryan Cook. The rest of the group is then sorted alphabetically.
Justin Reid
One of the Chiefs' defensive leaders, Reid recorded 95 tackles, seven passes defensed, five tackles-for-loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 16 starts last season. Additionally, his 981 defensive snaps trailed only former cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (991 snaps) for the team lead.
He was versatile, too, logging significant snaps in the box (452), at free safety (335), over the slot (328 snaps) and on the line of scrimmage (92 snaps). He even chipped in on special teams, recording 64 snaps, and tallied a blocked field goal in Week 8 vs. Denver.
Reid was simply a primary cog in one of the league's best defenses last season, and now entering his third campaign with Kansas City, he'll resume that role yet again as the Chiefs vie for a third-straight championship.
Bryan Cook
A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Cook started each of the Chiefs' first 12 games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 13. Prior to the injury, Cook logged 42 tackles, two passes defensed and one-tackle-for loss, not to mention some of the most memorable moments of the 2023 campaign.
At the top of that list has to be Cook's 59-yard scoop-and-score vs. Miami in Week 9, but the second-year safety was also responsible for a touchdown-saving tackle against New York in Week 4. In each case, Cook's standout play ended up being the difference in the final score.
Cook appeared to be making progress in his return to the field throughout offseason practices, and at still only 24 years old, he'll provide a major boost to the Chiefs' secondary when fully healthy.
Deon Bush
Bush, who re-signed with the Chiefs in mid-March, returns for his third season with Kansas City after appearing in six games last season. He was a core special teams contributor when he played, recording at least 70 percent of the Chiefs' special teams snaps in each of his final five regular-season games.
Bush then matched the team-lead with 85 special teams snaps during the postseason, and when called upon defensively, he hauled in a critical interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Championship Game.
Chamarri Conner
One of the standouts from last year's rookie class, Conner – a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft – appeared in all 17 games for the Chiefs last season, starting seven of them. He was a major contributor on special teams with 330 snaps in that role for the year, marking the second-most of any player on the team, and he also stepped up on defense when starting safety Bryan Cook was lost for the season in Week 13.
From that point on through Super Bowl LVIII, Conner was on the field for 328 defensive snaps, including a 76-snap performance in the Divisional Round vs. Buffalo. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus' metrics, Conner was the Chiefs' top-graded defensive player in that game.
Now entering his second year as a professional, it appears that Conner will have a major opportunity in front of him heading into camp. The departure of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed means that fellow corner Trent McDuffie will likely shift from the slot to the outside in 2024, opening up a potential role for Conner if he can earn it during camp.
Trey Dean
The Chiefs signed Dean to a "Reserve/Future" contract in mid-February after a brief stint on Kansas City's practice squad at the end of the 2023 campaign.
Dean, a regular starter for the Florida Gators from 2018 through 2022, was a projected sixth or seventh-round selection in last year's draft according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler. He started 40 games for the Gators in that time, racking up 259 tackles, 24 passes defensed, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and four interceptions. A versatile player during his collegiate career, Dean logged snaps at both cornerback and as a do-it-all safety while in Gainesville.
He recorded an impressive performance in the three-cone drill (6.69 seconds, a number that would have ranked third among all players at the Combine) during his Pro Day and led all safeties with 25 reps on the bench press during the NFL Scouting Combine last year, but he ultimately went undrafted. Dean signed with the New York Jets following the draft, however, and spent time on their practice squad during the 2023 season.
Jaden Hicks
A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Hicks tallied 79 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, six passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 12 starts for Washington State last season.
His efforts – which included a 37-yard pick-six – earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors. He was effective the year prior, too, recording 76 tackles, seven passes defensed, two tackles-for-loss, one sack and one pick.
Hicks played all over Washington State's defense during his career there, logging snaps at deep safety, in the box and over the slot. Last year alone, he tallied 456 snaps in the box, 200 snaps deep and 103 snaps over the slot, demonstrating an ability to be a reliable chess piece defensively.
As for what the Chiefs thought of him, West Regional Scout Greg Castillo said the following during draft weekend:
"I think with [Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo] and [Safeties Coach Donald D'Alesio], they're going to utilize his skillset very well. He's very versatile. He can play at the linebacker depth, he can play the deep middle free safety, he can play quarters…He can do a lot, and he can do a lot effectively."
Cornerbacks
Next, here's a look at the 12 cornerbacks currently on the Chiefs' roster heading into camp. We'll begin with last year's returning primary contributors in Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams before proceeding alphabetically.
Trent McDuffie
The Chiefs appear to have a budding star on their hands in McDuffie, who started 16 games last season and earned Associated Press First-Team All-Pro honors at slot corner. He allowed just two touchdowns on 65 targets for the year, and his 18 quarterback pressures led all cornerbacks. His efforts drew the attention of Pro Football Focus, who named McDuffie the No. 2 cornerback in the league heading into 2024.
Here's more from PFF on the ranking:
"McDuffie, a 2022 first-round pick, helped lead the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl victories to start his career. He has graded well, earning an 83.8 coverage grade that ranks seventh at the position over the last two years. However, he excels at preventing separation, rushing the passer and stopping the run, giving him an elite all-around game."
With cornerback L'Jarius Sneed no longer in Kansas City, McDuffie will likely have an opportunity to shift outside in 2024 as one of the game's premier defensive players.
Jaylen Watson
A seventh-round pick in 2022, Watson has appeared in 32 games (with 8 starts) over the last two seasons. He appeared in 16 games last year (with 2 starts), logging six passes defensed and two sacks across 440 defensive snaps. He also added 189 snaps on special teams last season, which ranked third among Chiefs' defensive backs.
A long corner at 6-foot-2, Watson may have a chance to earn a larger role in 2024 with a strong camp.
Joshua Williams
Another member of the 2022 draft class, Williams has taken the field in 33 games (with 6 starts) over the last two years. He appeared in 16 games last year (making 2 starts), recording five passes defensed and a tackle-for-loss across 321 defensive snaps. Williams was also a major contributor on special teams, logging the second-most snaps (304) of any Chiefs' defensive back.
Williams – like Jaylen Watson – has been a solid contributor throughout his two seasons with Kansas City, and with cornerback L'Jarius Sneed no longer on the roster, he may have a chance to earn a larger role this season.
Miles Battle
An undrafted free agent signee, Battle stands at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds. Originally a four-star recruit at wide receiver, he spent the first five years of his career at Ole Miss – the first two of which as a pass-catcher – before transferring to Utah for his sixth and final season in college.
Battle logged 45 career appearances (including six starts) as a defensive player in college, recording 97 tackles, 22 passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He tallied four passes defensed and a pick in 13 games (2 starts) in 2023.
Here's more on Battle from The Athletic's Dane Brugler:
"Overall, Battle is building his resume and awareness as a corner but has the length, speed and competitive makeup to be worth a gamble."
Ekow Boye-Doe
A tremendous story of resilience, Boye-Doe – who made the Chiefs' offseason roster last summer as a tryout player – went on to appear in six games for Kansas City in 2023. He recorded 84 special teams snaps in that time, including a play on punt coverage in which he downed the ball at the 1-yard line against New England in Week 15.
Boye-Doe is a great example of how every player, no matter their circumstances, has an opportunity to make the team entering training camp. Now with a full offseason under his belt, Boye-Doe will have a chance to write another chapter of his story over the next several weeks.
Kamal Hadden
A sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-1, 192-pound Hadden appeared in 23 games (15 starts) over the last three years at Tennessee, logging 87 tackles, 18 passes defensed, six interceptions, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.
He led the Volunteers in interceptions in each of the last two seasons despite missing at least four games in each campaign. He recorded 11 passes defensed and three interceptions in 2023, which included a 28-yard pick-six.
Hadden allowed just one catch of 15+ yards on 33 targets in 2023, consistently finding ways to prevent the big play. In total, he yielded just 12 catches for a grand total of 96 yards on 184 coverage snaps last season.
Lastly, prior to suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, Hadden's 11 passes defensed through mid-October ranked second in the FBS last season. He earned Pro Football Focus' No. 4 overall coverage grade among all FBS cornerbacks in 2023.
Now healthy, he'll have a chance to pick up where he left off as a member of the Chiefs.
Nazeeh Johnson
A seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Johnson – who appeared in 11 games on special teams as a rookie – appeared ready for a role in the secondary during last year's training camp before a torn ACL in late July ended his season before it truly began.
It was an unfortunate setback for Johnson, who played five seasons at Marshall and started 44 games over his final four seasons there before joining Kansas City in 2022. Now healthy, Johnson will look to continue his upward trajectory as a member of the Chiefs' young secondary.
Nic Jones
A seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jones appeared in nine games last season for Kansas City. He was almost exclusively a contributor on special teams during those appearances – logging 111 special teams snaps – before recording 67 defensive snaps in the Chiefs' Week 18 matchup against Los Angeles.
Prior to joining the Chiefs, Jones was a standout at Ball State. He flashed his potential during his first three years there, tallying eight passes defensed and an interception in 26 games (6 starts), but he really turned it on during his senior campaign with 14 passes defensed and two picks in 11 games (9 starts).
Those 14 passes defensed led the team and ranked 23rd among qualified cornerbacks. Jones saw a significant uptick in coverage snaps (390) and targets (68) in 2022, but among cornerbacks with 65+ targets in 2022, he surrendered the fifth-lowest completion percentage (44.1%) in the FBS.
It was an exciting year of production for a player who didn't waste his opportunity, and now entering his second year with the Chiefs, he'll have a chance to earn a larger role in 2024.
Kelvin Joseph
A "Reserve/Future" signee in late January, Joseph is a former second-round pick (No. 44 overall) of the Dallas Cowboys in 2021.
He went on to appear in 26 games (3 starts) for Dallas over the next two years, recording four passes defensed and a forced fumble in that time. He was particularly effective during his rookie season in 2021, yielding only seven catches (on 15 targets) for 49 yards across 97 coverage snaps.
Dallas traded Joseph to Miami ahead of the 2023 campaign, however, where he appeared in four games before being waived. Joseph signed with the Seahawks' practice squad soon after, eventually appearing in one game for Seattle.
Prior to going pro, Joseph led the University of Kentucky in passes defensed (5) and interceptions (4) in 2020. It was an impressive showing for Joseph, who appeared in 11 games for LSU in 2018 before sitting out the 2019 campaign due to transfer rules. Here's a portion of Joseph's draft profile from The Athletic's Dane Brugler:
"A big-time athlete, Joseph has the rare ability to shadow routes without losing balance, displaying twitchy feet, fluid movements and high-end ball skills to consistently make plays…[He has] first-round physical talent and the athleticism to blanket any type of receiver, which is why a team will likely roll the dice on him in the top-50 picks."
It ultimately didn't work out for Joseph in Dallas, but he'll now have another chance to show what he can do in Kansas City.
Derrick Miller
An undrafted free agent signee, Miller – a native of O'Fallon, Missouri just outside of St. Louis – appeared in 12 games (11 starts) at cornerback for Kent State last season, recording 50 tackles, three pass-breakups and one interception. It marked Miller's second season at Kent State following a campaign in which he tallied 46 tackles and three passes defensed in 2022.
Prior to transferring to Kent State, the 5-foot-11, 187-pound Miller spent three seasons at Iowa State, appearing in 28 games.
Christian Roland-Wallace
The six-foot-tall, 200-pound Roland-Wallace – an undrafted free agent signee – was a four-year starter at Arizona (2019-22) before transferring to USC for the 2023 season. He left his mark, too, as he led the Trojans in passes defensed (11) and interceptions (2) in 12 games (8 starts).
An experienced player, Roland-Wallace recorded 3,326 defensive snaps and 536 special teams snaps in college, and he didn't miss a game over the last five years. Here's more from The Athletic's Dane Brugler:
"Roland-Wallace has a well-rounded skill set with the size and compete skills that will keep NFL teams interested. He projects as a rotational backup who can be steady on special teams."
Keith Taylor
Another "Reserve/Future" signee, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Taylor is back with Kansas City after spending the entirety of last season on the Chiefs' practice squad. A former fifth-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2021, Taylor appeared in 34 games (5 starts) for Carolina between the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. He tallied six passes defensed and a forced fumble in that time, serving primarily as an outside cornerback.
He was also an active member on special teams for the Panthers, logging 391 total special teams' snaps during his time in Carolina.
A University of Washington product, Taylor was projected by The Athletic's Dane Brugler as a "high intangible press-man prospect" during the pre-draft process in 2021.
The Bottom Line
In terms of historical precedent, the Chiefs have been consistent in keeping 10 defensive backs for Week 1 in each of the last five seasons, and generally speaking, that group has been divided into six corners and four safeties.
Assuming that blueprint holds true for this year's camp, the competition will be fierce. The Chiefs feature a slew of talent at both cornerback and safety – from veterans to emerging young players – and the reality is that Kansas City can't keep all of them. It's a good problem to have, and it makes this group one of the more intriguing ones to watch heading into training camp as several players will compete for only a handful of roster spots. This group, perhaps more than any other, will be an area to watch as the practice squad takes shape following roster cuts, too.
