PFF gives Kansas City Chiefs defender his due credit after All-Pro season in 2023
The Kansas City Chiefs have done an amazing job at churning out quality cornerbacks over the past several years. With so many highly paid stars throughout their roster, it has been crucial to the Chiefs success to stay cheap, but productive, in certain areas. That is exactly what they've done with the cornerback position. Even […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have done an amazing job at churning out quality cornerbacks over the past several years.
With so many highly paid stars throughout their roster, it has been crucial to the Chiefs success to stay cheap, but productive, in certain areas. That is exactly what they've done with the cornerback position. Even more astounding is that they have been able to do so with young players through the draft.
Dating all the way back to 2015, Marcus Peters was an instant success for Kansas City as a rookie. When he was traded after the 2017 season, many people wondered if the Chiefs could overcome his departure. Enter Kendall Fuller, who the Chiefs acquired in a trade for former quarterback Alex Smith.
Fuller was a critical piece of the Chiefs' secondary as they became Super Bowl champions in 2019. However, they were confident enough to let him walk in free agency, putting the onus on a young Charvarius Ward, whom they acquired via trade two years prior.
After two excellent seasons in 2020 and 2021, K.C. once again let its top cornerback leave in free agency as Ward cashed in big with the San Fransisco 49ers. The Chiefs knew they had an up-and-coming star in L'Jarius Sneed, but also saw something special in Trent McDuffie, who they ended up drafting 21st overall in 2022.
McDuffie unfortunately injured his hamstring in his first NFL game, costing him the next six weeks. Upon his return, McDuffie instantly became one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. He elevated his game even more in 2023, earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
McDuffie has become a cornerstone piece of the Chiefs' defense and was pivotal in helping K.C. win each of its last two Super Bowls. With Sneed now gone to the Tennessee Titans, McDuffie is next in line as the Chiefs' top cornerback. He is further along in his development than the others before him, making him poised to perhaps become the best of the bunch.
McDuffie's All-Pro selection last season proved that his efforts are being recognized on a national level, and now Pro Football Focus has jumped on board. In their yearly offseason positional rankings, PFF acknowledged McDuffie as the second-best cornerback in the NFL.
Here's what PFF had to say about McDuffie's game.
"McDuffie, a 2022 first-round pick, helped lead the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl victories to start his career. He has graded well, earning an 83.8 coverage grade that ranks seventh at the position over the last two years. However, he excels at preventing separation, rushing the passer and stopping the run, giving him an elite all-around game."
It's safe to say that K.C.'s secondary is in good hands with McDuffie leading the way. The Chiefs also have a slew of other young cornerbacks who could step up in a big way – including Jaylen Watson, Nic Jones, Joshua Williams and Kelvin Joseph. We'll have to wait and see if the Chiefs let McDuffie walk in a few years as they have with many before him, but until then, enjoy watching McDuffie continuing to make big plays in a Chiefs uniform.
