Kansas City Chiefs: The Cornerbacks Contenders
Phillip Gaines
6-foot-0, 193 pounds
3rd year
If there is a front runner for a starting spot along side Marcus Peters it has to be third year corner Phillip Gaines. Gaines has experience playing both on the outside and in the slot as a nickel corner. He also has the most experience in the Chiefs defense as the only corner in contention that is entering his third season with the Chiefs. The problem with Phillip Gaines since he arrived in Kansas City has never been about his ability but his availability. Gaines battled concussions his rookie season and it eventually ended his year after week 14. Then last season he suffered a torn ACL in the third game of the year against the Packers. All reports point towards him being ready to start the season, but the question now is just how much can the Chiefs rely on him staying healthy.
Despite these concerns the Chiefs have to be looking to Gaines to contribute based on the fact that he is both physically gifted and one of the few corners on the roster with quality playing experience (16 games played with 8 starts). Gaines versatility to play inside or outside does give KC some options. You can make a case that Gaines may be the best nickel corner on the roster. He has played there before and he probably has the best quickness on any corner on the roster (as evident by his blazing 6.62 three cone time at the combine).
While Gaines certainly could play inside he may also be the best option to start on the outside with Peters as well. Gaines is the tallest of the options at corner at an even six feet tall. He also has the longest arms of the group so when it comes to dealing with larger receivers Gaines has the best size for the outside. He also has (or had before his ACL) the best straight line speed (he ran a 4.38 forty at the combine). So Gaines is also the best suited to keep up with deep threats on the outside (again assuming he is 100% after his ACL injury).
Does this mean that Gaines is a lock to start on the outside if he is healthy? Well, I wouldn’t go that far. I do think he is the odds on favorite, but if one of the rookies steps up and looks ready to play on the outside from day one I think KC could move him to the slot. That is because he does have one weakness on the outside in that he isn’t terribly physical at the line of scrimmage. While Gaines covers well, in KC’s press man system the outside corners are often expected to knock wideouts off their routes at the line and that isn’t a strength of Gaines. So if another corner is more physical outside Gaines agility may be better served in the slot. The Chiefs could also start Gaines outside in the base package and then move him into the slot in the sub package.
I believe a healthy Phillip Gaines is a lock to start somewhere for KC. Wether he is fully healthy and wether he plays on the inside or the outside is yet to be determined.
Next up, KC’s other returning corner….
Next: Contender #2: Steven Nelson