Chris Harris and other free agent cornerbacks for the Chiefs
General manager Brett Veach has already demonstrated that he believes that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can make the defense work with just about whatever players the team puts on the roster at cornerback. Could Veach gamble again? Or will he decide to invest heavily in this premier defensive position.
If he decides to pursue cheaper free agent options, as he has done in the past, two names jump out as potential options.
Ronald Darby
Ronald Darby has played the last three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Darby has been a fine player for both the Bills and the Eagles, but has been far from a standout and has certainly not lived up to his second round billing. Perhaps the biggest barrier to Darby securing a long term deal is his durability concerns. He’s never played 16 games in a season, and logged only 11 last year.
However, it is precisely these metrics which will hold his market down and make him a cost effective option for a Kansas City team focused on mega contracts for stars like Chris Jones and Patrick Mahomes.
Darby did secure two interceptions last year, and still flashes the 4.4/40 speed that made him a second round pick in the first place. There is a place for the likes of Darby in Kansas City on a 1 year, $2.5 million prove it deal.
PJ Williams
Another intriguing option for Kansas City could be New Orleans Saints free agent corner PJ Williams. The former 3rd round pick in the 2015 draft has played all four of his professional seasons with the Saints (did not play in 2015 due to injury). He only played two games in his second season, also due to injury, but has played in 45 out of 48 contests since then.
It seems unlikely that Williams returns to New Orleans – the team gave him a one year extension last April in hopes of a ‘prove-it’ type season and while he was adequate, he was far from exceptional.
Williams seems like precisely the type of flyer that Veach loves to take at cornerback – big play upside, quick, susceptible to defensive holding penalties…he checks all the boxes.
In all seriousness, though, Williams is looking at a 1 year, vet minimum type contract. For a player with his experience – that feels right up KC’s alley this offseason.