The best cornerbacks available post-draft for the Kansas City Chiefs

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Patrick Peterson
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Patrick Peterson /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 24: Brandon Marshall #15 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a reception against Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 24, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 24: Brandon Marshall #15 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a reception against Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 24, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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.

LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 14: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 14: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on October 14, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 18: Janoris Jenkins #20 of the New York Giants runs in a 65-yard touchdown during second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 18: Janoris Jenkins #20 of the New York Giants runs in a 65-yard touchdown during second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

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.

BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

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?