The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed cornerback Bashaud Breeland to a one-year deal on Thursday. The move creates opportunity in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Teams always talk about picking the best available players. All lies.
Most teams rank their board, identify a handful of positions to upgrade early in the draft, and then pick the best player from those groups.
The Kansas City Chiefs might actually pick the best available player regardless of position come April 23.
After re-signing cornerback Bashaud Breeland to a one-year, $4.5 million deal on Thursday, general manager Brett Veach accomplished two things. He retained every player from the Super Bowl-winning roster who played at least 57 percent of his unit’s snaps, and he spent almost every dime of cap space.
Now, with almost the entire team returning to defend its championship, the Chiefs have the luxury of taking talent without concern for position.
Who will the Chiefs draft in the first round?
When you’re picking 32nd-overall, it’s impossible to have a short list of likely selections.
Looking at Kansas City, there are opportunities to upgrade at interior offensive line and linebacker, specifically one who can cover tight ends and running backs. However, with a litany of players signed only through 2020, Veach can still take a high-upside player at cornerback, receiver, running back, EDGE or offensive tackle and slowly work them onto the field.
With the class very deep at receiver, the Chiefs could take the best available there and see a replacement for Sammy Watkins and/or Demarcus Robinson come 2021. They could also fall in love with running backs D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor or J.K. Dobbins and give Patrick Mahomes another weapon to utilize out of the backfield.
Should Josh Jones or Ezra Cleveland be on the board, maybe Veach nabs his swing tackle for a year before grooming him to replace Eric Fisher or Mitchell Schwartz in due time. Heck, Kansas City could take Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen and simultaneously grab the best player left while also filling a key need at linebacker.
Why was the signing of Breeland so key?
By signing Breeland, Kansas City essentially has a starting secondary lined up.
The Chiefs can play Breeland and Charvarius Ward on the outside in base with Juan Thornhill and Tyrann Mathieu at safety. Go to nickel, and second-year man Rashad Fenton goes into the slot. In dime, here comes Dan Sorensen as the third safety.
Of course, Kansas City may want to beef up the depth chart at corner. The Chiefs could be looking at Kristan Fulton or A.J. Terrell among others, looking at them as an ideal fit. Maybe Bryce Hall of Virginia, a former teammate of Thornhill, appeals to them on the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Regardless, the signing of Breeland provides ample flexibility. Without him, the Chiefs would have needed to prioritize cornerback above all else heading into the draft.