Chiefs: Taking Virginia Tech DB Chamarri Conner makes too much sense
The Kansas City Chiefs made a draft pick on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft that was more for reassurance purposes. Or, shall I say, a backup plan?The Chiefs ended up taking a defensive back in the fourth round with pick 119 which they got from trading 134 and a 2024 fifth-round pick to […]
The Kansas City Chiefs made a draft pick on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft that was more for reassurance purposes. Or, shall I say, a backup plan?
The Chiefs ended up taking a defensive back in the fourth round with pick 119 which they got from trading 134 and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings. They selected Chamarri Conner, the defensive back from Virginia Tech.
I'm seeing a lot of fans questioning this trade because the Chiefs went secondary so often last year in the draft and it panned out so well. Some are asking why when they may not need it. Well, there are a few answers as to why this pick was perfect.
To start, you can never have too much cornerback depth. It's the hardest position to play in the league and it's also one that sees injuries often.
But also, they got a guy in Conner who played safety in college but will play nickel in the league. He is basically a mirror image of L'Jarius Sneed, and I don't mean they look alike. They are the same type of player.
Why though? Well, Sneed has been the team's best cornerback for a while now and after this season he will be expecting a big contract. The Chiefs may not be able to give him what he wants. Sure, they very well may be able to, but you never know. So, this pick prepares them for that too.
And Conner is good and will show that in training camp. He could very well compete for a spot over one of last year's rookies. It's definitely something to watch for.
Here is what The Athletic's Dane Brugler had to say about Conner's strengths:
Versatile athlete and controlled mover … quick-footed to mirror transitions from the slot (receivers or tight ends) … displays astute play recognition to quickly process what he sees … zone instinctive and balances sightlines between the backfield and routes … uses well-timed swipes at the catch point to make plays on the ball before it reaches its destination … urgent tackler and flashes a burst when closing … won’t hesitate when locking horns with heavy runners … was a special teams ace in college, logging 802 snaps … durable and started 48 straight games to finish his career (school record since Virginia Tech joined the ACC) … 314 career tackles rank No. 10 in school history.
But there is a reason he is still available in the fourth round. Brugler gives reasons why by stating his weakness as well:
Gives up a step of separation when he delays at the top of his pedal … average speed shows when tasked with covering go/fade patterns from the slot … inconsistent feel in coverage with back to the football … more likely to hand fight downfield than turn his head and find the ball (see pass interference on 2022 West Virginia tape) … guilty of stopping his feet at contact and not driving through the ball carrier … missed too many tackles because of erratic tendencies: shallow angles, leaving his feet prematurely or throwing his shoulder and hoping for the best … set career-lows across the board with 2022 production.
The Chiefs are setting themselves up for down the road to having a great and elite secondary. Oh, and if they do end up re-signing Sneed and they don't bring Mike Edwards back, Conner can play safety too. It's the perfect pick.
