The Kansas City Chiefs decided to announce their intention to completely shake up the roster ahead of the 2026 season. Rather than pay top cornerback Trent McDuffie, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for a package of four NFL Draft picks.
Luckily for Kansas City, the Rams did part with one of their first-round picks in 2026, giving the Chiefs ownership of the No. 9 and No. 29 overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. If the Chiefs want to draft a young corner to replace McDuffie, they will have the ammunition they need.
With the No. 9 overall pick likely to be used on the best player available and the top-end of this cornerback class leaving a lot to be desired, the optimal chance for the Chiefs to improve their secondary on the fly might be picking one of this quintet at No. 29 overall.
5 cornerbacks Chiefs can draft to replace Trent McDuffie
5. Keith Abney II, Arizona State
Abney is as feisty as they come in man coverage, and his ability to play both inside and outside might make him more appealing to this coaching staff. The biggest thing he needs to work on is cutting down the handsy penalties that are a byproduct of his very aggressive style.
4. Colton Hood, Tennessee
Not only did Hood have some exemplary results against a menagerie of future NFL receivers in the SEC, but with good size and a 4.4 40-yard dash under his belt in the past, his athleticism gives him a ceiling that many of the defensive backs projected to be picked on Day 2 simply do not have.
3. Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Johnson has a passer rating below 20.0 when targeted this season, and his ball skills helped him intercept four passes. While he isn't the best stylistic fit if the Chiefs want to replace McDuffie one-for-one, the productivity is too good to ignore.
2. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Cisse may be the best pure nickel cornerback in this class, as he pairs some tremendous open-field tackling skills with some quick feet and top-shelf instincts. It seems increasingly unlikely that Cisse will be around when Kansas City picks early in the second round.
1. Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Terrell, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell, is a top-20 talent who may end up sliding to No. 29 overall due to the positional needs of other teams. If he's there, Kansas City needs to pounce, as his peak level of play is exactly what Steve Spagnuolo wants to see from his cornerbacks.