How Is the Chiefs Cornerback Depth Quietly Becoming a Strength?
The Kansas City Chiefs have leaned on their defense during recent playoff runs, and the secondary looks ready to play a big role again. This year, the cornerback group has a chance to be one of the better units in football. With Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Kristian Fulton leading the way, the Chiefs have a great mix of talent and depth that can stand up to the high-powered passing attacks in the AFC. That is a major boost for a team looking to extend its championship window, especially with so many elite quarterbacks across the conference.
Trent McDuffie is already viewed as one of the top young corners in football. His ability to cover both in the slot and on the outside makes him valuable in any game plan. He has quick feet, plays with confidence, and rarely makes mistakes in coverage. When Kansas City needs someone to slow down an opposing star, McDuffie is the player they trust. His steady presence allows the rest of the secondary to play with more freedom, knowing that he can handle tough assignments every week. There are also rumors of a McDuffie contract extension coming soon, so stand by for that.
Jaylen Watson has also proven to be a steady presence on the outside. Since being drafted in 2022, he has continued to earn more playing time and has shown that he can hold his own against top receivers. His size and length allow him to contest passes and disrupt timing on the perimeter. Watson has also gained valuable playoff experience, which has made him more dependable in high-pressure moments. He is not flashy, but his consistency makes him an important piece of the defense.
Kristian Fulton brings another layer of stability to the room. Injuries slowed his time in Tennessee, yet when healthy, he has shown the ability to cover starting wideouts. Fulton plays with good technique at the line and has the experience to handle veteran receivers. Adding him to the rotation gives Kansas City the chance to keep its top corners fresh throughout a game, which is critical against teams that throw the ball as often as the Bills or Bengals. Fulton may not be a household name, but his presence could be a difference-maker for this group.
The depth does not end there. Joshua Williams has continued to develop and looks capable of filling in whenever his number is called. Nazeeh Johnson, though listed as a safety, has shown enough versatility to provide extra coverage options in sub-packages. Having multiple young defensive backs pushing for playing time creates healthy competition in practice and raises the level of the entire unit. That type of depth is not something the Chiefs could always rely on in past seasons, which makes this year’s roster construction even more impressive.
Together, McDuffie, Watson, Fulton, and the depth behind them give the Chiefs a reliable cornerback group that can match up with a wide variety of offenses. Kansas City’s pass rush already creates problems, and now the corners have the talent to hold up on the back end. If these players stay healthy and continue to improve, the Chiefs' defense could once again be the group that carries them deep into the playoffs. The offense may grab the headlines, but the secondary has the chance to be the hidden strength that keeps Kansas City on top of the AFC.
