Earlier this offseason, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs traded their star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 third-round decide and a swap of 2024 seventh-round picks.
Contemplating Sneed’s worth to the crew, many mock drafts may have the Chiefs drafting a first-round cornerback — and that might make sense. Sneed and Trent McDuffie served as multipositional lockdown gamers, giving Kansas Metropolis good matchups with any passing offense. I’d even argue that their presence is the principle purpose the crew received back-to-back Tremendous Bowls.
However after watching the movie of cornerbacks out there within the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chiefs’ greatest worth might come after the primary spherical. Right here’s why:
The present cornerbacks
Right here’s the excellent news: Kansas Metropolis nonetheless has good cornerbacks. Presently, the three starters are McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams.
McDuffie is an rising famous person who can play within the slot or on the skin — however I’ll all the time desire him within the slot, which unlocks him as a blitzer and a run defender. Moreover, his intelligence and talent to get by means of blocks permits him to routinely destroy screens and run-pass choices from that alignment.
Fortunately, McDuffie can be utilized the place he’s only, as a result of Watson and Williams are each lengthy, bodily corners who can play man protection. Neither has a deficiency in dimension or pace — and each have proven they’ll begin on the boundary.
If the Chiefs begin this trio in 2024, they’d nonetheless have an excellent go protection. Dropping Sneed will restrict their skill to match up with particular person receivers — as a result of by having two cornerbacks who can change matchups, it’s simpler to place different gamers in good spots. However with only one such cornerback, that’s tougher.
Nonetheless, that aspect isn’t required to discipline an awesome passing protection. Positive… neither Williams or Watson will have the ability to cowl outdoors receivers in addition to Sneed did — however each have proven the flexibility to play man protection effectively.
Even higher, each nonetheless have room to develop. And in the event that they don’t? The remainder of the protection is sweet sufficient to make up for Sneed’s loss.
The primary-round cornerbacks
I’m much less impressed by the cornerbacks on the prime of the category than others. Most large boards and mock drafts determine 5 official first-round corners within the 2024 class:
Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Kool-Help McKinstry
Iowa’s Cooper DeJean
Clemson’s Nate Wiggins
Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell
Of those 5, I’ve first-round grades for simply two: DeJean and Wiggins — and to be clear, I’d be thrilled for the Chiefs to pick both within the first spherical. DeJean is a playmaker who can be utilized in a number of positions. Whereas he’s an excellent zone cornerback, I’ve issues about his size when he performs on the skin. Within the NFL, he can discover a function within the slot or as a security — however for Kansas Metropolis, DeJean isn’t excellent.
And whereas I’m excessive on Wiggins, he’s simply 175 kilos — and very frail. Whereas he might additionally discover a function within the slot, the Chiefs have already got that coated. I’m extra assured about Wiggins’ skill to play on the skin than I’m about DeJean’s — but when my job was on the road, I’d nonetheless be anxious about it.
For Arnold and Mitchell, I’ve second-round grades. Whereas each could be tremendous picks, I simply don’t see the upside most others do. Arnold has good movie — and I be ok with his skill to be a starter — however I’ve issues about his pace and general athleticism. These weren’t alleviated at his Professional Day.
Mitchell has loads of athleticism — and has had an awesome pre-draft course of, too. He has the expertise of a first-round cornerback, however I’m decrease on his movie. Toledo ran plenty of Cowl 4 and let Mitchell play from depth. Whereas this showcased his unbelievable athleticism, he lacks expertise enjoying press protection — or in high-leverage conditions towards elite receivers.
I’ve McKinstry with a third-round grade — primarily as a result of I don’t assume he’s very athletic. He’s a sensible participant who might begin — however on movie, he lacks elite pace or fluidity. So I’d be involved about taking him within the first spherical.
So the place is the worth?
Kansas Metropolis doesn’t want a famous person cornerback from this draft; the crew merely must replenish its depth by including a little bit extra expertise — and that may be carried out on Day 2. That’s the place Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Rutgers’ Max Melton can be discovered.
I really feel assured about Rakestraw’s skill to play within the Chiefs’ protection. His 32-inch arms make him comfy enjoying press — and he’s keen to play bodily. He has generally performed within the slot — however to me, he tasks as an outdoor nook. Rakestraw isn’t an elite athlete — however together with his size, he does have sufficient athleticism to make me assured he might be a starter.
Melton, nonetheless, has a better ceiling. He’s rather more athletic than Rakestraw, however the Mizzou participant has higher movie. Melton thrives in press protection, utilizing his physicality and pace to disrupt timing. Whereas he’s a bit uncooked, a secondary coach just like the Chiefs’ Dave Merritt might assist him attain his potential in Kansas Metropolis’s press scheme.
These are simply two of the 4 to 6 beginning cornerbacks out there on Day 2. Others embody Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter and Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa.
The underside line
On the whole, utilizing the crew’s most dear draft asset at a place for which there isn’t a major want looks as if a waste of assets. We additionally know the Chiefs can develop cornerbacks from any spot within the draft. As well as, I simply don’t see a major expertise discount between corners out there on Day 1 and Day 2. So to me, it makes extra sense for Kansas Metropolis to make use of its first-round decide on an offensive participant — after which wait to see the place the perfect cornerbacks are touchdown.
