5 best training camp battles for Chiefs in 2019

Cornerback: Charvarius Ward vs. Tremon Smith vs. Keith Reaser vs. Mark Fields

There’s no doubt that the top cornerbacks in Kansas City are offseason signing Bashaud Breeland and Kendall Fuller, who was the Chiefs’ top corner last season. Breeland replaces Steven Nelson, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Fuller will shift into the slot position for most sets when three cornerbacks are on the field.

That means one of the outside “starting” jobs is wide open, as the third cornerback spot is pretty much completely unsettled. The Chiefs are waiting for someone to emerge as a breakout player at the position, so someone like Tremon Smith, Keith Reaser or even rookies Mark Fields and Rashad Fenton (among many others) could make an impression.

Charvarius Ward has the inside track to start. He is a 23-year-old undrafted free agent who recorded three passes defended in13 appearances last season, as he was acquired from the Dallas Cowboys prior to the start of the 2018 season in exchange for interior offensive lineman Parker Ehringer.

Ward improved near the end of the 2018 season, and that growth is encouraging. While he doesn’t jump off the page as a starting-caliber player, he is still developing and has a real shot at being a breakout player in the Chiefs defense next season.

Since the Chiefs came away with a solid trio of edge rushers in Frank Clark, Alex Okafor and Emmanuel Ogbah to go with Chris Jones after overhauling to a 4-3 defense, the real key to success for this defense is the cornerback position. And the key to success at cornerback is finding depth players who can take that next step forward, such as Ward.

Tremon Smith’s work on special teams used to make him a lock for the roster, but Mecole Hardman is the new kick returner in town. He needs to have a big training camp in order to make the roster, but he did show well on special teams and has plenty of speed to burn.

Keith Reaser was a big star in the AAF before being signed by the Chiefs, so he looks like Ward’s stiffest competition at cornerback. In the AAF, Reaser was a pick-six machine and a shutdown corner, and while the NFL is a huge step up in competition he could be the sleeper here.

The last man to watch is undrafted free agent Mark Fields II, who could be a hidden gem after flying under the radar in college for Clemson. With sub-4.4 wheels, Fields has all the physical tools to be a good specialist corner in this league, and he has more than a fair shot at cracking the 53-man roster. Fields, the son of former Pro Bowl linebacker Mark Fields, could be the Chiefs’ nickel or dime corner in 2019.

What makes this training camp battle especially exciting is that while there is a favorite in Ward, it feels wide open. And because the Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers and so many other teams the Chiefs need to beat in 2019-2020 are deep at wide receiver, every single spot matters. The cornerback position could make or break the Chiefs’ Super Bowl chances in 2019.

Prediction: Ward holds onto the No. 3 job, Fields is the hidden gem as Reiser’s competition for No. 4 duties