Arrowhead Addict
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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 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back D.J. White (28) makes an interception against Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Corey Robinson (88) during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back D.J. White (28) makes an interception against Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Corey Robinson (88) during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

D.J. White
5-foot-11, 193 pounds
Rookie

It would be a mistake to count D.J. White out when looking at which players may contribute at corner this season. While he may not be the athlete that Russell is or the bully at the line of scrimmage that Murray is, he is enough of a combination of the two that I believe he will stick in the NFL. While he occasionally made some bad reads in zone coverage his technique in man to man was better. He does a good job overall of mirroring his man. In fact, I might go so far as to say his man to man technique might currently be the best of the three rookies with Russell being a little raw and relying on his athleticism and Murray being a little too grabby. I may not like White’s upside quite as much as the other two rookies, but his floor may actually be the highest of the three. Will he ever be a star corner in the NFL? I don’t think so, but if he has to play this season as a rookie I don’t think he’ll be as bad as one might expect from a sixth round draft pick.

White has solid speed (4.49 forty) and strength (17 bench press reps) but tested a little slow in the agility drills with a 7.18 three cone drill and a 4.33 twenty yard shuttle. Those times are significantly slower than those of Gaines and Russell which makes me worry a little about White’s ability to handle some of the quicker slot receivers on the inside. I didn’t get to see White do much out of the slot in the tape I watched so this is merely speculation on my part. One thing I did notice is that sometimes he struggles to get his head around to play the ball and ends up giving up a catch where he could have prevented it if he had seen it coming. I still like his ability to stay with his guy in man coverage and while he’s probably a long shot to start as a rookie, I don’t think it’s out of the question. Many pre-draft rankings actually had White ahead of Eric Murray. I think White will make a good special teams contributor and could contribute as a cover corner coming off the bench if needed. Time will tell if he can develop into more than that.

So what do you think Addicts? Which of these contenders for playing time at cornerback do you think will step up for KC in 2016? I’m going to make an early prediction that to start the season KC will start Gaines outside in the base formation and then in the sub package they will move Gaines inside and play Eric Murray outside. Do you think that’s crazy? Do you think KeiVarae Russell will start as a rookie? Do you like Steven Nelson to step up in his second year and claim the slot cornerback job in the sub package? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Regardless of who you like to win the job you have to like that KC has so many young cornerbacks to choose from. The Chiefs future at this vital position is definitely looking up.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!

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