5 burning questions the Chiefs must answer in 2019

4. How big a role will Juan Thornhill play in the secondary?

Tyrann Mathieu may have gotten the big free agent contract, but the Chiefs’ most intriguing secondary player could well be Juan Thornhill. Thornhill, the Chiefs’ second round pick out of the University of Virginia, could be poised to be a huge piece of the Kansas City defense.

The Chiefs were thrilled to end up with Thornhill, who some scouts rated as a first round talent, at the tail end of the second. Thornhill ended up going 63rd overall, the pick the Chiefs acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in the Marcus Peters trade.

Like Mathieu, who has the ability to play multiple places on the defense, Thornhill has the ability to play a variety of roles in the secondary. Thornhill has good coverage skills so he can be deployed as both a safety and a corner, giving the Chiefs a potential nickel back to pair with starting corners Bashaud Breeland and Kendall Fuller.

Kansas City also has to be happy about the fact that Thornhill is a sure tackler, which is never a guarantee when you look at defensive backs. Thornhill’s ability to cover and tackle will make him a tremendous asset for Spagnuolo, who likes to create multiple looks to confuse the opposition.

The key for Kansas City is how fast Thornhill is able to absorb the defensive playbook and adapt to life in the NFL. The faster that Thornhill can pick up the system, the more likely it is that he plays a key role in the defense.