Cornerback prospects for the Chiefs to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine
The 2020 NFL Combine approaches and with it, a chance to get a first glimpse at some of the potential prospects the Kansas City Chiefs could target in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The offseason is upon us and with it, the focus for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the league shifts to the 2020 NFL Draft and free agency. With the Chiefs limited cap space going into 2020, which they can improve through contract restructures and roster cuts, this draft will be integral to helping the team repeat in Super Bowl LV.
The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine will begins next week, pitting the most accomplished 337 college football players against one another in a bevy of physical tests and drills. The Chiefs have several positions of need on their roster heading into 2020, and arguably none of them are bigger than the cornerback position.
With only two corners on the roster heading into 2020, it’s lucky for the Chiefs there are a number to keep an eye on next week. Here are three prospects that might interest the Chiefs and Steve Spagnuolo.
Kristian Fulton, LSU
Kristian Fulton is one of the first prospects the Chiefs could target in the first round to fill their cornerback needs. At 6’0″, 200 pounds, he has good size and athleticism for an NFL corner. He was very productive his last two seasons at LSU with 21 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
Fulton has excellent feet, the ability to play like a savvy veteran in man, and has excellent press technique. He wasn’t asked to play zone coverage frequently while at LSU, but showed good instincts when asked to do so. His best fit is at outside corner at the next level, and he could replace Bashaud Breeland on the outside for the Chiefs defense in 2020.
Damon Arnette, Ohio State
As mentioned earlier, the Chiefs will only have two corners under contract entering the 2020 NFL season. It’s likely they sign one or even two in free agency. The fact still remains it’s a good idea for them to draft multiple cornerbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft. With the success of sixth round pick Rashad Fenton this season, there should be high hopes if the team is able to grab a player in the middle rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Damon Arnette is a potential candidate that the Chiefs should keep an eye on in the second round. A player who has been compared to Darius Slay, currently a hot topic in the NFL offseason trade market, Arnette has typical size and build for an outside corner at the NFL level. In the last three seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Damon Arnette wracked up 4 interceptions, 22 passes defensed, and 2 forced fumbles. He’s a proven player from a winning program that would be decent value on Day 2 of the draft.
Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn
Noah Igbinoghene is a bit of a project at the cornerback position. He’s only played the position for two seasons, converting from wide receiver his sophomore year. In those two seasons he was pretty productive with 1 interception and 18 passes defensed.
Ultimately, Igbinoghene would be a player the Chiefs could target in the middle rounds of the draft. He might take time to develop into starter material, but he has the athleticism and physicality to do so. With the Chiefs lack of cornerbacks on the roster heading into the season he’d be a potential value play in the later rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Conclusion
The 2020 NFL Draft is a deep one, with a number of players the Chiefs can target at various positions of need. Undoubtedly, the cornerback position is one they should target early and often. Each of these players brings a unique skill set that can deepen the cornerback position, and with the first two’s ability in man coverage, potentially give Spagnuolo some new wrinkles to throw at opposing offenses in 2020.