AFC rival gives a current and a former Chiefs defender the praise they rightly deserve
The Kansas City Chiefs have been incredibly deep at cornerback over the past several years. It has played a big role in them winning three Super Bowl titles over the last five seasons. In 2023 the Chiefs had perhaps the best cornerback tandem in the NFL between L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie. Together they led […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have been incredibly deep at cornerback over the past several years.
It has played a big role in them winning three Super Bowl titles over the last five seasons. In 2023 the Chiefs had perhaps the best cornerback tandem in the NFL between L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie. Together they led a passing defense that ranked fourth in the league and second in points allowed.
That didn't go unnoticed by their peers. Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who had an excellent rookie season in 2023, joined Jordan Schultz on "The Shultz Report" and revealed his top five current cornerbacks. Sneed and McDuffie led the way at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.
Rounding out the list is the Chicago Bears' Jaylon Johnson, the Denver Broncos' Patrick Surtain II and Porter Jr. himself. Rankings are always hot topic debates, but this is a pretty solid list. Sneed and McDuffie leading the way is not only a reflection of their hard work, but the job that Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt have done developing defensive backs.
A case could be made for former Chiefs Charvarius Ward and Kendall Fuller to be considered top five as well. Ward is ranked No. 3 on Pro Football Focus' top 32 cornerbacks ahead of the 2024 season list, and Fuller is ranked eighth. McDuffie came in at second and Sneed curiously landed low at 12.
For whatever reasons, Sneed has a tough time getting the appropriate recognition for his game. Last year with K.C. Sneed recorded 14 passes defensed and didn't allow a single touchdown, landing a big 4-year, $76.4 million contract from the Tennessee Titans during the offseason.
As for McDuffie, he was named a First-Team All-Pro for his well-rounded performance last year of seven passes defensed, three sacks and five forced fumbles. With Sneed gone, McDuffie is now firmly intrenched as the Chiefs' No. 1 cornerback and one of the defense's leaders. The questions now becomes who will step up next to McDuffie and become the next elite Chiefs cornerback?
