We talk about the Kansas City Chiefs needs and often mention cornerback or safety. Maybe we should be thinking more of them together as defensive back. The Chiefs have two starting safeties (Eric Berry, Ron Parker) and two starting cornerbacks (Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines). Most of the time the Chiefs one or two more defensive backs on the field, whether that's a safety stepping down to cover the slot or another corner like Steven Nelson (or new Chief Jimmy Wilson).
Even though cornerback is the most popular first round pick for KC we should also be considering safeties such as West Virginia's Karl Joseph. His name first popped out at me when ESPN's Louis Riddick - who has ties to Andy Reid - tweeted this:
Karl Joseph best overall DB in draft..versatile,competitive, run support, blitz, tackle, zone pattern recognition, man skills, ball skills.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 14, 2016
He calls Karl Joseph the most NFL ready DB in the draft. High praise. We should probably keep an eye on him. He's been talked about as high as a late first to somewhere in the second round. The Chiefs play enough with five or more defensive backs that they can justify taking a defensive back in the first or second round.
The Houston Chronicle recently reported on some of his visits (plus where those teams are drafting). The Steelers, in particular, are a team that has been tied to him through the media. The Chiefs may not even have a shot at drafting him but he's someone to keep an eye on as Marcus Peters was last year.
- Houston Texans (22)
- Minnesota Vikings (23)
- Cincinnati Bengals (24)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (25)
- Denver Broncos (31)
- Dallas Cowboys (34)
- New York Giants (40)
- Indianapolis Colts (48)