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Kansas City Chiefs: The Cornerbacks Contenders

By Lyle Graversen

Jul 29, 2015; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) runs drills as head coach Andy Reid watches during the first day of training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) runs drills as head coach Andy Reid watches during the first day of training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Kolby Listenbee (7) catches a pass for a first down as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Eric Murray (31) makes a tackle in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Kolby Listenbee (7) catches a pass for a first down as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Eric Murray (31) makes a tackle in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Murray
5-foot-11, 199 pounds
Rookie

I won’t try to hide the fact that I’m an Eric Murray fan so you may want to take that into account when I say the following. I believe that Murray may end up being the rookie corner that sees the most playing time this season. Before I get to the pros and cons of Murray’s game tape I want to take you back to the past couple of seasons. How many times did you sit there yelling at your television as quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady picked the Chiefs apart? KC’s pass rush was often made irrelevant because these great QBs were able to get the ball out so fast. Why were they able to get the ball out so fast? The answer most times was because KC was ineffective at jamming their wideouts at the line of scrimmage.

Cue Eric Murray…

Of all the corners KC could have drafted in this draft I don’t think any are as physical with wideouts as Murray is. He’s a flat out bully and I love it. Now, that great strength of his is also his biggest weakness. If Murray can’t learn to quit manhandling receivers down the field he will be one of the most penalized corners in the NFL. I’m not saying that’s an easy fix, but if KC’s great coaching staff can remedy this issue and limit Murray’s bullying to within the first five yards from the line of scrimmage they may have a great option to start outside opposite Peters.

Murray is pretty much a lock to play on special teams from day one and if he can’t limit the penalties in man coverage he could have a future at safety as well. I just see something in his game that makes me believe he’s going to succeed as a corner. His man almost never gets away from him. When he does allow a catch its not by much and he’s right there to drop the receiver after the catch. I can see him starting on the outside or as a physical slot corner that’s not afraid to mix it up with tight ends or step up in run support. KeiVarae Russell may be the odds on favorite of the rookies to contribute the most this season, but Eric Murray is my personal favorite.

Finally, KC’s late round cornerback pick…

Next: Contender #5: D.J. White

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