Chiefs’ versatile second-year CB Rashad Fenton prepared for bigger role if called upon
Experience counts for a Chiefs team looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
But for a cornerback group undergoing transition with Kendall Fuller gone and Bashaud Breeland serving a four-game suspension to start the 2020 season, the Chiefs are likely to lean on a player entering just his second year in pro football.
While there is a lot of responsibility for a young player, signs point to cornerback Rashad Fenton assuming a bigger role on defense alongside Charvarius Ward while Breeland is out.
It’s an opportunity the 5-foot-11, 188-pound Fenton embraces, especially after having a chance to develop and contribute on special teams during his 2019 rookie season.
“Special teams helped me get my edge,” Fenton said Friday. “It helped me feel out the energy. It just helps me defense-wise in general. You got to start the game off and finish the game with special teams, so doing that on special teams is special. It just helps me bring out more fuel.”
Fenton appeared in 12 games last season, seeing action on 30 percent of the Chiefs’ special-teams snaps (130) and contributing 169 defensive snaps, mostly inside against an opponent’s slot receiver.
Playing on special teams helped Fenton see the field quickly and react accordingly, attributes he’ll need if the Chiefs make him the next man up at the right cornerback position. Fenton’s playing time was somewhat hindered last fall as Breeland logged 927 defensive snaps, fourth-most on the team, in 2019.
So far, so good for Fenton, who has shown a knack for being around the ball and producing pass breakups during team drills at training camp.
His daily performances have impressed defensive backs/cornerbacks coach Sam Madison during camp. Fenton has been playing both inside and outside and rotating with the first- and second-team defensive units.
“Coming into this camp, he knew his exact role being that he was going to be a dual guy, so he’s playing faster,” Madison said. “Now having the opportunity to mix him in with the ones, with the twos, playing corner, playing nickel is putting a lot on his plate, but yet still making sure he understands that he’s going to be needed in those roles later on during the season.
“With him, he is working hard every single day. I really like his work ethic that he’s putting in. He’s making some plays; he’s around the ball. His quickness, he’s shown some burst throughout the course of this camp.”
Madison knows a thing or two about the cornerback position. He’s a former two-time All-Pro selection and four-time Pro Bowler. The position coach’s high praise of Fenton shouldn’t be taken lightly.
While the Chiefs have options for replacing Breeland among Fenton, Antonio Hamilton and rookie L’Jarius Sneed, it appears Fenton has the inside track when the Chiefs are in a 4-3 base. Fenton’s versatility also allows them to consider moving him inside at the slot with either Hamilton or Sneed playing outside when the defense is in a nickel package.
“We just want to put him in the best position to be able to make plays for us,” Madison said.
Regardless of the defensive alignment, Fenton appears to be firmly entrenched in the Chiefs’ plans for this season.
And he’s ready to contribute in whatever capacity the Chiefs have in store for him.
“I’m prepared for whatever the coaches have for me,” Fenton said. “Whenever my number is called, I’m going to be ready to do it to the best of my ability. That’s all I can do.”
PARTICIPATION REPORT
Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (ankle), wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (groin) and rookie Mike Danna (calf) returned to practice Friday.
Starting center Austin Reiter (knee) was not in pads and worked off to the side with a trainer. Reiter’s injury makes the signing of veteran center Daniel Kilgore, who was assigned jersey No. 67, a timely move.
To make room on the roster for Kilgore, the Chiefs waived linebacker Emmanuel Smith, who previously dealt with a hamstring injury.
Defensive end Alex Okafor (calf), tight end Deon Yelder (groin), offensive lineman Yasir Durant (head) and offensive lineman Martinas Rankin (knee) were not spotted on the field during the portion of practice open to the media.
Rankin remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
This story was originally published August 28, 2020 at 3:12 PM.
