The best cornerbacks available post-draft for the Kansas City Chiefs
By Grant Tuttle
Xavier Rhodes
Current team: Minnesota Vikings
Fit with Chiefs: High
Pay range: $9.5 million-$13 million/year, 3 year deal.
Likelihood of being signed as a Chief if he is cut: High
Here is one of the most popular names floating around Kansas City. Not only do chiefs fans want Xavier Rhodes, they want to trade for him. Because of Minnesota’s cap space, or lackthereof, I believe that there is a real chance that Brett Veach is patiently waiting for a guy like Rhodes to get cut because of his cap hit.
With Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland being cornerbacks one and two, the signing of Rhodes would allow the Chiefs to keep Fuller inside whenever they have three cornerbacks on the field and feel comfortable with the matchup. Rhodes stands at 6’1 and fits the Spagnuolo criteria for cornerbacks. I think his ability to play in man and zone makes him a top priority if he hits the market.
Josh Norman
Current team: Washington Redskins
Fit with Chiefs: Medium
Pay range: $9 million-$12 million/year, 2 year deal
Likelihood of being signed as a Chief if he is cut: Medium
Josh Norman is not the same player that he once was, but that does not mean that he cannot still play at a high level. He plays well in zone, which would do well in a typical Spagnuolo defense. Brett Veach has already traded for Kendall Fuller and signed Bashaud Breeland. Signing Josh Norman would reunite the cornerback group from Washington from a couple seasons ago.
I don’t believe K.C. should take on his current contract, therefore trading for the 31 year-old should be taken off the table. That being said, if Washington moves on from him, the Chiefs should certainly be calling his agent’s phone. Norman would not only fill a need, but add swagger to a defense that has a lot of it already.
Janoris Jenkins
Current team: New York Giants
Fit with Chiefs: Medium
Pay range: $8.5-$10.5 million/year 2 year deal
Likelihood of being signed as a Chief if he is cut: High
The Chiefs were rumored to be interested in Jenkins at the trade deadline last season and we all know how Brett Veach tends to lock in on the players that he likes. Jenkins is a solid cornerback that can play the boundary at a high level. Although he is not in the top tier of cornerbacks, he would be the best corner for the Chiefs in year one.
With ties to both Steve Spagnuolo and Brett Veach, Jenkins on the free market would be linked to the Chiefs immediately. The Giants have added talent at cornerback through the draft by drafting three cornerbacks: Deandre Baker, Julian Love, Corey Ballentine. For a team that is headed towards a rebuild, Jenkins could be on his way out of New York sooner than some may believe.
Jimmy Smith
Current team: Baltimore Ravens
Fit with Chiefs: High
Pay range: $9.5-$12 million/year 3 year deal
Likelihood of being signed as a Chief if he is cut: Medium
This one may be a bit of a stretch, but the scenerio is that Baltimore wants to roll over money for 2019 to sign some big name offensive free agents. With both Brandon Carr and Marlon Humphrey on the team, they can move on from Jimmy Smith. At 30, Smith is not necessarily an elite player. For Kansas City, however, he makes perfect sense.
At 6’2, Smith provides great length on outside receivers. In a division that has Emmanuel Sanders, Keenan Allen and Antonio Brown, his length and versatility would be invaluable. The Chiefs would love to get a player of this skil lset without having to trade draft capital and in the NFL, who knows?