Chiefs rookie Juan Thornhill set to be ready for training camp

Juan Thornhill is expected to be ready for Kansas City Chiefs training camp, with the safety expected to play a major role in 2019.

Juan Thornhill is set to serve as an integral part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense as a rookie and is anticipated to be ready for the start of training camp.

Thornhill was the second player selected in the draft by the Chiefs after wide receiver Mecole Hardman but had been dealing with a calf injury.

However, according to Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star, there is “no indication” Thornhill will not be healthy again in time for camp, with the former Virginia Cavalier the clear favorite to start at free safety, providing he avoids further injury.

He is expected to pair with free-agent acquisition Tyrann Mathieu, who is poised to occupy the box safety role for a Chiefs defense that proved the downfall of Kansas City in 2018.

Mathieu playing closer to the line of scrimmage means Thornhill will be given the significant responsibility of patrolling the deep middle of the field after a collegiate career in which he proved his playmaking abilities — racking up 26 pass deflections and 13 interceptions in the last three seasons, with six of his picks coming in 2018.

Thornhill should have the range to excel at the free safety role at the pro level having displayed an aptitude to closing to the football in a hurry, while his pursuit angles to the ball have also been worthy of great praise.

He will, on the other hand, have to do a much better job of wrapping up and finishing tackles if he is to succeed in the pros. Thornhill would also benefit from greater consistency when it comes to slipping blocks in the open field.

But injury is often the biggest obstacle rookies have to overcome as they look make an instant impact. Thornhill appears to have put his early injury issues behind him and will now hope to be key to a much-needed defensive turnaround for Kansas City.