Chiefs' Secret Defensive Weapon: Chamarri Conner pt. 3

Chamarri Conner could be in for a massive sophomore season for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The past few weeks we’ve been looking into how Chamarri Conner could take a big step forward in 2024 and be a key cog in the Chiefs’ defense remaining at the top of the league. The losses of L’Jarius Sneed and Mike Edwards will have a direct impact as well as a domino effect that impacts multiple positions making it a tall order to boast a top defense once again, which is why the emerging Conner could be such a pivotal piece.

In part one we discussed his ability as a slot defender in case Trent McDuffie has to spend more time as a boundary CB this season. Part two we focused on Conner’s growing game as a deep safety to play alongside Bryan Cook in place of the departing Mike Edwards. This final section is going to revolve around playing in the “box” as a back up or change up to Justin Reid who normally mans that role.

Chamarri Conner Defensive Weapon

As mentioned, we are looking at Chamarri Conner’s ability to play as a box safety in the 2024 season but that does require some explanation. We are far passed the days of a “strong safety” aligning as a linebacker pre-snap and playing that clear cut alignment snap after snap. It still happens on occasion but for a Steve Spagnuolo led defense, it’s much more likely a safety rotates into what we will call a “box safety” position.

This is still is somewhat ambiguous so I want to further trim it down. As the ball as snapped, we are talking about a safety that is playing on the second level - underneath a clearly defined deep safety that is usually playing in the middle of the field - and with a slot/apex defender flanking them to the outside. This could mean a nickel CB, a linebacker, or another safety is playing out in the slot but to avoid mixing roles, it’s key to note there are two defenders - a boundary CB and an Apex player - further outside.

Role wise, a box safety is doing a variety of things that often overlap with other positions. Some of the most common assignments against the pass are playing as a hook zone defender in the middle of the field, a hole defender like in Robber coverage, or handling the innermost breaking route from bunch sets. Against the run, a box safety is usually running the alley or stepping down and taking on a lead block to the outside. Hopefully that adds some clarity as we work through the rest of this.

Filling Rushing Lanes

When a safety is tasked with playing in the box, their role in the run game becomes more vital than from other spots. They’re no longer just holding contain, pursuing from the backside, or playing “last line of the defense”. They are often tasked with taking on blocks or being the unblocked defender that is set up to be one-on-one with the ball carrier. Given their closer alignment to the line of scrimmage, the ball carrier will usually be able to see them and know their own goal is to make that safety miss.