Chiefs rookie poised to become franchise's next great defensive back

The next great defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs might already be on the roster. 

At least, that's what Chiefs special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Dave Toub thinks. A fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Chamarri Conner is seeing an uptick in playing time on both special teams and defense in Kansas City. In the past two weeks alone, he recorded six combined tackles, the most in a two-game stretch of his young NFL career. 

While some of that production has occurred on special teams, Toub knows that it won't last. That's not because Conner isn't consistent as a player, but rather because he's such a good player. Toub knows it won't be long before Steve Spagnuolo scoops him up for a full-time role on defense.

“He keeps getting better and better," Toub said of Conner. "I mean, that’s two games in a row that he made beautiful tackles on punt and open field tackles, so it tells you a lot about his football abilities. He’s going to be a great one down the road. I’m enjoying the fact that I have him right now and I know eventually he’s going to end up being in depth as a – you know getting more and more reps on defense. He’s already getting a lot now, but he’s going to get more and more as we go forward. He’s a player that you should be excited about.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Conner has played 326 combined defensive and special teams snaps so far this season. His versatility on defense is perhaps the most notable aspect of those numbers. Of his nearly 100 defensive snaps, he's played at free safety, strong safety, slot corner, and even 11 snaps aligned on the defensive line.

While it might be difficult to crack the cornerback rotation in Kansas City right now, the injury to S Bryan Cook presents an opportunity for the rookie to increase his repetitions at the safety position. The team plans to rely on Mike Edwards in place of Cook, but Conner could be next in the pecking order and see the field more frequently in the team's Buffalo nickel package with three safeties on the field at once.

How much action Conner will get ultimately depends on his ability to continue to show growth and improvement on the defensive side of the ball. If Toub's comments are any indication, he's ready for the opportunity.