Top 5 Depth Players Who Will Be Invaluable to Kansas City Chiefs Defense in 2012

Kansas City's defense has undergone a transformation in the last two seasons. In the Dick Vermeil days, the offense just hoped their defensive teammates could manage one stop so they could outscore their opponent. During most of the Herm Edwards era, asking for one stop was a little much.

My how things change.

Thanks to an infusion of top tier talent and the coaching of Romeo Crennel, the Chiefs are on the verge of having an elite defense for the first time since Derrick Thomas donned the Red and Gold.

But it isn't all because of Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Eric Berry. For the first time in years the Chiefs have depth, something they sorely missed last season.

These depth players could play a crucial role in the Chiefs defense this fall.

5. De'Quan Menzie

Losing Eric Berry to injury in 2011 was a disaster in itself, but an even bigger disaster was the depth behind him and Kendrick Lewis.

With only the ancient John McGraw, as well as 2009 draft disappointment Donald Washington and Tampa Bay castoff Sabby Piscatelli to man the safety spots, the back end of the Chiefs defense was in major disarray.

With both Berry and Lewis rehabbing from surgery this offseason, the safety situation is still shaky at present. Menzie could prove to be major relief for a backfield that was devoid of talent beyond the starters. His value is increased when you take into account he could just as easily fill in at the corner spot.

4. Ropati Pitoitua

Kansas City is under the leadership of one of the best defensive line coaches to ever grace an NFL sideline, and he has a penchant for turning journeyman defensive linemen into major contributors. That could very well happen with Pitoitua.

Pairing Pitoitua with Allen Bailey in the Chiefs sub-packages adds more of a stalwart against the run than pass rushing specialist Wallace Gilberry could provide in the same role. 

Whether he becomes a valuable role-player is up for debate. What's not up for debate is how knee-knockingly intimidating the sight of two physical specimens like Bailey and Pitoitua together will be.

3. Brandon Siler

Jovan Belcher has always been perceived as a weak link in an otherwise talent-filled defense. Brandon Siler was brought in from San Diego to push Belcher for the job, and possibly take it. A torn Achilles tendon in the preseason prevented that.

Siler and Belcher are once again set to battle it out in training camp and regardless of who wins the job, the team is already better than last season if both stay healthy. 

Why? Because otherwise it's Leon Williams or Cory Greenwood that will play if the starter goes down. No thank you.

2. Travis Daniels

Daniels has quietly been a dependable backup the last two seasons in Kansas City.

Over the last two seasons he's accounted for six passes defended and three interceptions. Compared to full-time starter Brandon Carr, who had forty passes defended and five interceptions in the same span, Daniels' numbers aren't shabby for a third or fourth corner.

De'Quan Menzie or Jalil Brown could beat out Daniels for his spot at corner, but I think he's proven his worth filling in over the last couple of seasons. And you can never have enough good corners in a division that now features Peyton Manning.

1. Amon Gordon

The Chiefs took a gargantuan risk taking Dontari Poe with the eleventh pick in the draft. Amon Gordon is the insurance.

When the Chiefs signed Gordon as a free agent last August the acquisition came and went without much fanfare, and for good reason. The journeyman had been on the roster of five different teams between 2004 and 2010 totaling only 37 total tackles and no sacks.

But once again, the Romeo Crennel Effect has turned this afterthought into a solid contributor. Gordon recorded 23 total tackles and the first two sacks of his career. If Poe struggles to make the transition to the pros or if Dorsey or Jackson catch the injury bug, Gordon could prove to be the most valuable backup on the roster.

Why Are These Players so Important?

For the first time in years, Kansas City has quality backups that can be serviceable in a pinch. Last year the Chiefs learned a very hard lesson about the importance of depth not only on defense, but everywhere on their football team.

The Chiefs came within a blocked field goal of a second consecutive playoff appearance, something that hasn't happened for this franchise since 1995. The starters may be loaded with talent, but for the first time in a long time, so is the sideline.