The Kansas City Chiefs are going to need an investment at cornerback, no matter how this offseason plays out. Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are hitting free agency. Trent McDuffie's future is uncertain. The Chiefs can’t trust Kristian Fulton to stay healthy or in how his 2025 season played out. Nohl Williams also showed flashes, but he's no sure thing heading into Year 2.
The Chiefs made over their entire defense in 2022, partly by bringing in five defensive backs in a single class, all of whom played a role in two championships. The corner position will always be a valuable one, and the Chiefs have done a nice job of developing it over the last few years. The Chiefs might be in a sweet spot in this draft to grab corner talent at the top of the second and third rounds based on how the draft plays out.
The nice thing about this corner class is that there are all different types of corners available throughout the class—from boundary press-man to off-man to slot-only players and some who can do a little bit of everything. That versatility can be invaluable based on what the Chiefs have on the roster for 2026.
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Brandon Cisse | CB | 6-0 189 LBS
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) March 2, 2026
Explosive, physical w/ press strength, long speed & downhill burst. Disrupts at the catch point and supports the run. Raw in zone with inconsistent instincts, tackling and ball skills.
Shades of: Coby Bryant pic.twitter.com/Cf1D2Lfe4s
NFL Draft Profile: Brandon Cisse, Corner, South Carolina
Age: 20 (on draft day)
Height: 6-00
Weight: 189 LBS
Hand: 8 1/2
Arms: 30 3/4
Tape Exposure: Vanderbilt (2025), LSU (2025), Kentucky (2025)
Shades of: Coby Bryant
Looking at Brandon Cisse's background
Cisse attended Lakewood High School in Sumter, South Carolina, where he played both corner and wide receiver. Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, he committed to NC State as a cornerback, where he played his first two seasons.
After the 2024 season, he entered the transfer portal as a four-star transfer prospect and committed to South Carolina, where he finished his junior year. Cisse completed his college career with 65 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 10 passes defended. He declared for the NFL Draft on December 11, 2025.
Scouting Brandon Cisse's strengths
Physicality
Cisse plays the way Steve Spagnuolo wants his corners to play: aggressive at the line of scrimmage, willing to press and jam receivers, and able to mix it up in the run game by blowing up screen passes. He has a solid trigger downhill and is a willing tackler.
Athleticsm
A strong mover for his frame, Cisse flashes above-average long speed and closing speed, particularly at the catch point down the field. He also uses his athleticism to get through blocks and make plays as a tackler.
Fluid Coverage Skills
A classic oily-hips guy, Cisse mirrors and matches well and never seems hurried or panicked when the ball is in the air. He reads and reacts well to receivers.
Understanding Brandon Cisse's weaknesses
Ball Production
Ten passes defended and two interceptions in three years as a starter speak to his lack of production. The tape shows him frequently not getting his head around in coverage (another Spagnuolo corner staple) and a propensity to generate penalties (3 in 2025).
Missed Tackles
Cisse is a willing tackler and at times a little too willing, causing some missed tackles (5 in 2025). He tends to lead with his upper half a little too often as a tackler rather than breaking down and wrapping up with his arms.
Zone Instincts
Cisse is a better man corner than a zone corner at this point. There appear to be some lapses in communication and coverage from him. Adding more to his plate in coverage beyond the receiver across from him can disrupt his eyes and, in turn, his coverage.
Why Brandon Cisse makes sense for the Chiefs
The obvious answer is corner depth, but it goes beyond that. The corner class is lacking some elite top-end talent, but it does have nice depth. Cisse is another example of the Chiefs’ second-round pick being just as exciting as their first-round pick, and the corner could be a steal there.
Cisse has been a frequent first-round pick in mock drafts, but if he starts to slide, getting a player with his tools—still just 20 years old who played in the SEC—would be nice value for a system that routinely helps corner play.
Brandon Cisse is an explosive, scheme-versatile corner with ideal size, long speed, and physicality. He thrives in press-man coverage and run support while offering strong tools at the catch point. His athleticism, competitiveness, and ability to mirror receivers make him disruptive, but he relies heavily on natural traits and can be inconsistent with technique and tackling. Limited instincts, route recognition, and on-ball production create volatility, particularly against polished route runners and in zone coverage.
Round Grade: Green Chip (Second-round grade)