Kansas City Chiefs were impressed by this do-it-all DB in win over Buffalo Bills
Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt wasn’t overly impressed with Chamarri Conner upon seeing him in action for the first time.
The draft selections and other rookies had gotten in a few workouts in organized team activities, and Merritt wasn’t exactly sure what the Chiefs had in their fourth-round selection from Virginia Tech.
“At OTAs I was like, ‘Man, this guy stinks,’” Merritt said. “Then all (of a) sudden he started climbing.”
All the way to making major contributions in the Chiefs’ 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills in their AFC Divisional Round game on Sunday. The outcome sends the Chiefs to Baltimore, where they’ll take on the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
The snap counts show Conner logged 76 of KC’s 77 defensive plays for a season-best 99%. Only cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who didn’t come off the field, played more.
Conner also was the highest graded Chiefs defensive player in the game, according to Pro Football Focus.
Conner’s impact was felt from the first play. He read a horizontal throw from Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs, fought off a block and stripped the ball from Diggs. Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid prevented a possible Chiefs recovery by batting the ball out of bounds for a penalty.
Conner was credited with the first forced fumble of his NFL career and the first of his season-high 10 tackles on the game.
“He had a huge game for us,” Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton said.
It was needed. On the game’s second play, safety Mike Edwards was injured on an incomplete pass. He had suffered a concussion, and the veteran who came up with an interception in last week’s playoff victory over the Miami Dolphins missed the rest of the game.
Whatever plans the Chiefs had for Conner — his playing time increased toward the end of the season, but he hadn’t appeared for more than 60% of the defensive snaps until the starters-sitting season finale — were now fast-tracked.
Conner made the most of the opportunity, and once again his versatility was on display, often lining up as a single-high safety. This while getting 16 snaps on special teams, where Conner also has made a big impact this season.
“He’s playing multiple roles for us,” Merritt said. “I’m talking from safety, free and strong, to nickel to dime. He’s probably the only rookie that I’ve had that played four different positions. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve had another guy that has done that.”
If Conner could have one do-over from Sunday, it would be a fourth-quarter moment that could have helped the Chiefs seal the game earlier.
With the Chiefs leading by three late and the Bills driving, Chris Jones tackled Allen from behind at midfield and forced a fumble. Conner got to the ball early in the scramble and had a chance to fall on it. Instead, he appeared to attempt a scoop and couldn’t secure it.
The Bills recovered, but the drive ended with Tyler Bass’s missed field goal. The Chiefs took over and clinched the game.
“Rookie season, I remember how it was,” Bolton said of Conner. “He’s getting better every single week. I’m proud of him.”
This story was originally published January 22, 2024 at 10:38 AM.