KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City finally drafted a defensive back Saturday.
Cornerback was perceived by many as the Chiefs’ biggest area of need, but the reigning Super Bowl champions waited until the fourth round — pick No. 138 overall — to address the secondary, adding Louisiana Tech defensive back L’Jarius Sneed.
Sneed, 6 feet and 192 pounds, ran a blazing 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and has versatility, having played as a corner and safety in college.
His insane 41-inch vertical highlights his elite athleticism and explosiveness.
During his career with the Bulldogs, Sneed made eight interceptions and returned three for touchdowns.
Sneed played safety last season for the Bulldogs. He’s physical and aggressive, but he also flashes tremendous ball skills, good coverage ability and an advanced ability to diagnose route combinations for a day-three pick.
The Chiefs may move Sneed back outside to cornerback, where he joins a room that includes Bashaud Breeland along with fellow incumbent starter Charvarius Ward and 2019 late-round pick Rashad Fenton.
As a freshman in 2016, Sneed — a Minden, Louisiana, native — made an immediate impact with an interception return for a touchdown in the Conference USA Championship Game.
He played nine games as a sophomore and 13 as a junior at cornerback, racking up another four interceptions during that span and one more that he returned for a touchdown.
Sneed stepped up his production in 2018 with 59 total tackles before moving to safety last fall.
During his senior season, Sneed made 77 total tackles, including 3 1/2 for a loss, with three more interceptions and yet another returned for a touchdown.
He racked up 19 passes defended in 35 games during his last three seasons at Louisiana Tech.
