The Chiefs’ secondary is turning into one of the most interesting messes in camp, and the cornerback battle is at the center of it.
Kansas City has a lot to sort out after sliding from playoff contender to a 6-11 finish, and Nate Taylor of ESPN pointed to cornerback as the team’s biggest storyline. That makes sense, because there isn’t just one job up for grabs. There are multiple spots still in flux, and the Chiefs are trying to piece it all together while camp rolls on.
One of the biggest names in the mix is Mansoor Delane, the No. 6 pick who was expected to step in and start right away. The Chiefs need that kind of impact from him based on where he was drafted, but his path has been slowed already. Delane is in a yellow non-contact jersey after hurting his shoulder in minicamp, though the team is still putting him on the field so he can keep working on the mental and technical side of the position.
"He wants to do everything, but we're not allowing him to use that [right] arm," Reid said of Delane. "He's out there playing kind of one-handed.
We're keeping an eye on him. It's great for him because he's got to work his feet and techniques.
It actually works to his benefit in the long run."
That long-term approach may help eventually, but the Chiefs also have to get ready for actual games, which is why the preseason could matter quite a bit for this group. Taylor reported that L’Jarius Sneed, Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton are locked in a lively three-man fight for the other outside cornerback role.
The nickel spot is unsettled too. Chris Roland-Wallace, rookie Jadon Canady and Kader Kohou are all in the conversation there, and Canady and Kohou have already flashed in early practices. In a camp full of moving parts, those moments are carrying some real weight.
Kansas City has made changes at safety as well after Bryan Cook left in free agency, but that competition doesn’t carry the same spotlight as the cornerback situation. The bigger issue is that the Chiefs have plenty of communication and chemistry to build before the season starts, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is going to be busy getting everybody aligned.
And the defense isn’t the only side forcing adjustments. The Chiefs have been changing things on offense too, and Patrick Mahomes recently surprised the defense with an unexpected screen pass to Kenneth Walker III that turned into a big gain over the weekend. For now, training camp has a little bit of everything: position battles, scheme changes and a secondary that still needs answers.
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