Chiefs think new corner David Amerson can get better playing in their system

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach gave a quick breakdown Thursday of what the Chiefs like about 26-year-old cornerback David Amerson, who recently signed a one-year contract worth $2.25 million plus another $3.75 million in incentives shortly before news of the Marcus Peters trade leaked.

“From a skill standpoint, he’s a 6-foot corner, he’s long, he’s athletic, he’s got really good hips and can mirror and match at the top of routes,” Veach said at the NFL scouting combine. “He’s been a little inconsistent, been banged up a little … we evaluated his tape and liked his skill set.”

Veach added there’s still some development and growth that Amerson, who was among the NFL’s leaders with 25 passes defended in 2015, can reach in Kansas City's defensive system, which could be veering back to the press man-heavy style they employed in 2013 and 2014 now that they've reached an agreement to trade off-cover specialist Peters to the Los Angeles Rams.

“We think he’ll have a shot in some more press-man coverage,” Veach said of Amerson. “I think he’s going to add competition, and I think we’re going to bring in guys who can compete and get after it. He’s shown the ability, so he can play in this league, and if he stays healthy and comes in with the right attitude, he’ll have a good shot.”

This story was originally published March 1, 2018 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Chiefs think new corner David Amerson can get better playing in their system."