Cornerback has been one of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ strongest position groups over the past several years.
Although they haven’t committed very much to the position financially, the Chiefs have done an excellent job of developing cornerbacks. Some names that come to mind include Marcus Peters, Charvarius Ward, L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson.
Kansas City has two big decisions to make this offseason regarding the later two above. Watson is set to become a free agent, and McDuffie is entering the final year of his rookie contract, putting him at the center of trade speculation.
3 Kansas City Chiefs Make Pro Football Focus’ List of 2025 Highest-Graded Cornerbacks
While revealing their top 20 cornerbacks from last season, McDuffie, Watson, and Nohl Williams all made the cut. Here is their analysis on McDuffie, who landed at No. 12:
“As a key chess piece in Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, McDuffie is one of the most well-rounded cornerbacks in the NFL. Although he was unable to play in the final four games of the season after suffering a knee injury, he managed to finish in the top 18 in PFF coverage (74.7, 17th), run-defense (78.5, 14th) and tackling (83.1, third) grades.”
Just down from McDuffie came the rookie Williams at 16:
“The first-year cornerback saw limited run through much of the year, until Trent McDuffie’s injury thrust him into a prominent role. While Williams struggled at times, he showed flashes of what made him a strong pick out of Cal. He finished the year with a top-15 PFF coverage grade (75.6) among qualifying cornerbacks while also ranking in the 93rd percentile in single coverage (71.1).”
Finally, Watson came in just one spot below Williams at 17:
“Watson earned himself a lucrative contract this offseason after producing a career year with the Chiefs. He generated a top-10 mark in passer rating allowed (69.0) into his coverage while recording a pair of interceptions. His biggest leap came as a run defender, where his 83.5 PFF run-defense grade ranked sixth among qualifying cornerbacks.”
Chiefs Are at Crossroads With CB Position
GettyKansas City Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson
Once again Kansas City must decide if it can continue to develop new blood at cornerback, or if it is time to finally invest significant money into the position. It will take a pretty penny to keep Watson and McDuffie, and the Chiefs likely won’t be able to afford to retain them both. Fortunately, they should be able to get a large haul if the decide to trade McDuffie.
A two-time All-Pro, McDuffie is definitely their best cornerback. Kansas City could opt to re-sign Watson and deal McDuffie, or let Watson walk and extend McDuffie to a long-term contract. It is also not out of the question that the Chiefs let Watson leave and trade McDuffie. The emergence of Williams and impressive finish to the season from Kristian Fulton make that scenario possible.
If McDuffie and Watson both leave, the Chiefs will certainly need to spend more draft capitol at cornerback. The extra picks received in exchange for McDuffie would make that easier to do. Other players Kansas City currently has under contract at the position include Kevin Knowles, Melvin Smith Jr., and safety/cornerback hybrid Chris Roland-Wallace.
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