NFL Draft 2019: Chiefs should target cornerback Byron Murphy

The Kansas City Chiefs should target Washington cornerback Byron Murphy in the NFL Draft to help fit their new defensive scheme.

There are a number of cornerbacks that the Kansas City Chiefs should consider in this 2019 NFL Draft. This is not only because of the lack of production from last year’s group and the loss of a starter in free agency, but because of the schematic change that new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be implementing in 2019.

There are three cornerbacks in this year’s draft class that many might consider top tier. The group consists of LSU cornerback Greedy Williams, Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker (reviewed here), and Washington cornerback Byron Murphy. It shouldn’t surprised anyone to see some second-tier corners going in the later part of the first round either, which means the Chiefs might have to move up for Murphy.

For now, the Chiefs are looking at Kendall Fuller, Beshaud Breeland, and Charvarius Ward as their starting three cornerbacks. Breeland is on a one-year rental, Fuller’s contract is up after the 2019 season if they don’t sign him to an extension this offseason, and Ward has had very little playing time. While Ward looked good in his stretch at the end of the season, Chiefs fans should be cautious about falling in love with the guy over such a small amount of tape. We have been burned by this kind of thing before with Terrance Mitchell and Marcus Cooper.

Even if Ward turns out to be a decent starter, Kansas City needs bodies in the cornerback room. If Ward continues to play well in 2019 despite teams having film on him now, this group of starters would be a good group. Fuller and Breeland played together in Washington’s zone-heavy scheme which could be what the Chiefs defense looks like under Spagnuolo this year. Still, general manager Brett Veach needs to consider adding another zone cornerback to the list of starters to upgrade this group from good to possibly great.