Chiefs secondary rebuild may come from draft not free agency

The Kansas City Chiefs and L.A. Rams recently agreed to a blockbuster trade, sending superstar cornerback Trent McDuffie to LA in exchange for significant draft capital. This was a move that helped the Chiefs build their draft-pick arsenal while also creating and saving cap space going forward. But the obvious downside to trading a player of McDuffie's caliber is that you have to find a way to fill the gap that he will leave behind.

The Chiefs secondary has taken some major hits this offseason, with both Bryan Cook and Jaylen Watson potentially becoming free agents. Between Cook, McDuffie, and Watson, the Chiefs will be losing three starters on the back end, and it will be a tall task to fill all of those gaps left behind. But the answer for Kansas City may not come in free agency, and forcing the issue at defensive back in free agency may do more harm than good for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs DB draft history

For starters, the Chiefs have proven they can draft and develop defensive back prospects as if they were growing on trees. The list of cornerbacks the Chiefs have added through the draft who have become strong NFL-level contributors is long and should give fans confidence in the team's ability to build the secondary through the draft.

Here are defensive backs drafted by the Chiefs since 2019 who have gone on to become contributors or even starters on the Kansas City defense:

• 2019 - Juan Thornhill (2nd round), Rashad Fenton (6th)
• 2020 - L'Jarius Sneed (4th)
• 2022 - Trent McDuffie (1st), Bryan Cook (2nd), Joshua Williams (4th), Jaylen Watson (7th), Nazeeh Johnson (7th)
• 2023 - Chamarri Conner (4th), Nic Jones (7th)
• 2024 - Jaden Hicks (4th)
• 2025 - Nohl Williams (3rd)

Many fans have looked at high-value free agents in the secondary, but the Chiefs' draft resume shows they may not have to do that. The laundry list of DBs the Chiefs have drafted and developed is impressive and would be hard to match for any team across the NFL. Now, they will likely look to add to that impressive list again this offseason.

Cornerback is one of the strongest postion groups in the 2026 NFL draft

Not only have the Chiefs proven they can identify and develop cornerback talent, but this year's draft class will give them a wide range of options. After the McDuffie trade, the Chiefs now hold nine picks in the NFL draft, with four in the top 100. This gives Brett Veach and his staff the flexibility to either get aggressive and take a corner they love early, or, if they like several players, they can wait and let the board fall to them.

On my current draft board, there are 14 cornerback prospects whom I have graded in my top 100, giving the Chiefs ample opportunity to add talent throughout this year's draft. At the top, guys like Jermod McCoy, Mansoor Delane, and even Chris Johnson have first-round talent and would be strong fits in Kansas City. But as you move down the board, other players like Davison Igbinosun, Julian Neal, or Devin Moore also could make sense, especially if they find their way into the third round.

Regardless, this depth at corner is unprecedented and is something we rarely see in the NFL draft. When you combine the quality of talent from top to bottom, the Chiefs' ability to develop DB talent, as well as the glaring needs they have in the secondary, it is clear that Kansas City should look to take advantage of the DB class this year in a similar way to how they have in years prior.

It is also important to mention that, as a whole, the 2026 NFL draft class is weaker than most, so taking advantage of one of the strongest position groups in the draft would be a wise decision.

The 2026 Free Agent Class is thin at Defensive Back

As a whole, the 2026 free-agent class is not one I would call "strong," something that is especially true in the secondary. In fact, it is very possible that the two highest-paid DBs from this offseason will wind up being former Chiefs in Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook. As we often see in free agency, when talent at a position is scarce, teams get desperate and will overpay, something Kansas City simply cannot afford to do this offseason.

Brett Veach and the Chiefs franchise are in somewhat of a "do or die" offseason following the worst season the team has had since landing the first overall pick in 2012. With several talented corners on the market like Jamel Dean, Nahshon Wright, or Alontae Taylor, it could be tempting to get into a bidding war. But in the past, especially in free agency, Brett Veach has done a great job sticking to his guns and not falling into the whirlpool of price escalation.

What this means for the Chiefs in FA

The Chiefs will likely head into free agency with roughly $30 million to spend total, and while fans have sky-high expectations, do not expect major moves at DB. With the Chiefs' past success drafting corners, Brett Veach and the Kansas City staff should be confident they can rebuild the DB room through the draft. Then, when you combine that sentiment with a draft class with an abundance of cornerback talent, it becomes clear that money may be better spent elsewhere.

I would expect the Chiefs to make a smaller signing, maybe adding a veteran such as Chidobe Awuzie, James Pierre, or Jonathan Jones. Recently, I even mentioned a potential reunion with former Chiefs star corner L'Jarius Sneed, who will likely be released by the Titans. Following that addition, the Chiefs will likely invest in two, maybe even three, defensive backs in the draft, which will provide depth and long-term potential.

Chiefs fans are expecting big things this offseason, and following the worst season Kansas City has had in over a decade, fans want change. But use this as a reminder of how good the Chiefs have been in the last decade, building and rebuilding their secondary year after year. All this to say, fans should have confidence in Brett Veach and the staff, who know the best way to rebuild the Chiefs' damaged secondary will be through the draft, not free agency.