It’s not easy to repeat as Super Bowl champs. The New England Patriots doing so various occasions makes it seem like it’s normal … but it’s not.
So what do the Kansas City Chiefs need to do to stay in contention for the Super Bowl LV and Super Bowl LVI?
They have a lot of pieces scheduled to remain in place this offseason, so they will enter the 2020 regular season as immediate contenders. So, much of a contender that the Chiefs lead the odds for the Super Bowl at SBR.
If you check up with top NFL analysts, pretty much all of them agree that the No. 1 area where Andy Reid needs help is in the defensive secondary, particularly at Corner.
Their biggest problem in the upcoming draft is the fact that they won the Super Bowl, so they pick last. Or they have to trade up. But if they do go with a corner in the first round, who would it be?
Well, there are three principal options: Jaylon Johnson, Jeff Gladney, and Kristian Fulton.
Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
The Texas Christian star was recently considered the prime choice for the Kansas City Chiefs. Now there is a lot of talk about Ohio State and J.K. Dobbins going over to Missouri, but that said, I am not letting go of the idea – fact– that cornerback is the Chiefs’ top need this offseason. They need a player who can step in right away, even if only to provide a bit of reliable depth.
The question becomes: does this happen in the first round, or do they go with a ‘glory position’ early on in the draft and wait for a bargain deal later on?
Regardless, Jeff Gladney is at the top of the list.
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
The Pac-12 had a couple of fantastic defenses last year. Both Utah and Oregon were amazing on the defensive side of the ball. And for the Utes, Jaylon Johnson was a big part of why they were ranked no. 3 in total defense, No. 4 in yards per play and 1st downs, and No. 6 in scoring defense.
Apparently, Johnson is one of five players the Chiefs have interviewed this offseason.
Not only did Jaylon Johnson have a career season at Utah, but he also showed his physical and mental fortitude by playing through a torn labrum that occurred early on in the season (September).
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
The LSU stud is a name you’ll see a lot on KC mock drafts. Sure, he’s getting outshined by the most-likely No. 1 pick, in his teammate, Joe Burrow. Still, his talent is undeniable which is why many think he’ll go in the first round and to none other than the KC Chiefs.
But why? Why would the Chiefs potentially pass on a Dobbins or a Clyde Edwards-Helaire? Well, they have three corners on the way out. The need to fill this position is real. It isn’t just a growth thing, or find something a bit better to really shore up the defense … No. the cornerback position could end up as a glaring hole if they don’t fill it with some top talent. I have a feeling they will take a star corner in the first round and perhaps another in the 5th or sixth-round like Veach added last year. Bashaud Breeland, Morris Claiborne, and Kendall Fuller are all leaving as free agents. So, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs take one of these three players in the 1st round.
Another possibility is DL. I don’t think it is as likely, a lot of experts are hot on the idea of A.J. Epenesa, the star EDGE out of Iowa heading over to KC. Although the need isn’t as prevalent up front, as it is in the secondary, they could use an injection of youth and talent. Epenesa is an ideal candidate to help give the Kansas City defensive line a significant boost. His versatility will help them put pressure on opposing QBs, and close gaps on running backs to up their Run D stats.
Sure, they are talking about Dobbins and some other offensive weapons … but the Chiefs’ needs are on the other side of the ball.