2023 NFL Draft: Safety Names To Know As Chiefs Fits

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The Kansas City Chiefs will likely enter the 2023 NFL Draft with much more focus on offensive tackle, defensive line and wide receiver prospects. However, the safety position is a spot that Kansas City could instill with more depth. Justin Reid finished strong in his first season with the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Bryan Cook got more snaps as his rookie season got deeper last year. In the end, Kansas City could look to add one more option to that room in this draft, even with signing veteran safety Mike Edwards in free agency.

Let’s dive into six possible fits for the Kansas City Chiefs at the safety position in this 2023 NFL Draft. Overall, these are names that flash potential with their film or traits. These are names that could be flying under the radar, though. In fact, all of these names to know are more likely to be selected on day three of the draft. Let’s kick it off.

Brandon Joseph- Notre Dame

After shining in the COVID-shortened season in 2020 at Northwestern, Brandon Joseph eventually looked for a rebound in 2022 at Notre Dame. There were some people that entered last year with him possibly being a day two pick at worst. Despite not fully living up to the hype, Joseph presents a few different traits that could move the needle for Kansas City.

If the Chiefs were to add this particular safety, you would be getting a player with potential of being a ball-hawk. His ball skills are crisp, in that he attacks the ball confidently at the catch point. Moreover, Joseph is a safety who can track and find the football quickly in any area of the field. Add in this player’s instincts and quick downhill trigger, and someone could benefit from taking a chance on this experienced defender.

Ronnie Hickman- Ohio State

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Similar to the aforementioned Joseph, Ronnie Hickman is someone who can win on instincts at the safety position. His processing speed, ability to recognize play direction and understanding of route concepts are items that can often fly under the radar. On the other hand, Hickman is aggressive when flashing toward the football. That can cost him on occasion. However, Hickman is able to make an impact with his physicality and punishment in the middle of the field. As his coverage skills continue to develop, Hickman could fill a possible special teams role on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brandon Hill- Pitt

Brandon Hill‘s top traits are likely his range, physicality and spatial awareness. There were previous questions about his overall athleticism. Yet, those have mostly disappeared after his adequate performance at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Hill can be a bit forgotten about on the backend of that Panthers defense. At the same time, he takes care of the little details, which allowed him to be somewhat of a field general for Pitt. You have to be willing to live with some over-eager moments. Nevertheless, the Chiefs could be getting a disruptive, physical safety by taking a chance on Hill.

Kaevon Merriweather- Iowa

Kaevon Merriweather can also overwhelm opponents with being physical. There is a greater sense of smoothness and body control in Merriweather’s game, however, compared to some of these other physical safety prospects. He may not have the ball production that most people look for. Instead, Merriweather is more of a rounded defender that makes just as much of an impact as a run defender, as he does in pass coverage. The competitiveness and effort of this defender cannot be denied. If his angles to the ball and body positioning in coverage can improve, Merriweather is a nice project at safety.

DeMarcco Hellams- Alabama

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DeMarcco Hellams is a player who can wear different hats in a team’s secondary. At Alabama, the Crimson Tide utilized Hellams from multiple alignments. There are still improvements to be made when in man-to-man coverage. But, there are items to like from Hellams as an overhang safety or as a defender when covering horizontal routes in the intermediate areas. With what he lacks in footwork and long speed, Hellams can make up for it in ball skills and hitting power.

Chamarri Conner- Virginia Tech

Compared to some of these names, Chamarri Conner is more of a true unknown. Despite that, Conner enters the NFL Draft as an extremely experienced defender from Virginia Tech. He was originally a nickel defender for the Hokies, before transitioning to a deep safety role in 2022. There is nothing flashy about this defender’s game. At the same time, you know exactly what you are going to get from a possible hybrid safety. His top traits include tackling, physicality in coverage and his technique in man-to-man coverage.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft articles and analysis in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.