9, 29, 40, and 74: What cornerbacks could be available in the first three rounds?
The cornerbacks who could top the Chiefs' draft boards at each selection.
We are a little over two weeks from the NFL Draft! Soon, we will find out what the Chiefs’ strategy is to rebuild this roster with a war chest of picks.
It’s a big week for us here. The KCSN Draft Guide was released this week, and we are so thrilled that the book is out.
The KCSN Draft Guide is available for pre-order! A Chiefs-specific book with detailed analysis, profiles of hundreds of prospects, player comps, a Chiefs draft pick trade chart, scheme fit analysis, and more! The book release April 6th!
Part of the draft capital amassed this offseason can come from the four selections the Chiefs received for star cornerback Trent McDuffie. The team has yet to make a significant investment in replacing him. They’ve made modest signings with slot Kader Kohou from Miami and former Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam from Dallas.
Neither of those players is guaranteed a roster spot, and the room was thin before them, with only Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton seriously part of the plan to this point.
There is a lot of work to do to get the cornerback in a good place before the season starts. Will the Chiefs just take pick 29 and use it to directly replace McDuffie? Could they do it earlier? Here are some ideal targets at cornerback for the Chiefs at picks 9, 29, 40, and 74.
Pick 9: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
From the KCSN Draft Guide: A true number one outside cornerback, McCoy never panics, understanding that his athletic gifts will allow him to recover.
The board would have to fall poorly at receiver and defensive end for the Chiefs, but McCoy would be a great add to the defense. He didn’t play in 2025, but if he had, he might have been a slam-dunk top-five selection. McCoy’s 2024 was excellent, and showed the ability as a true sophomore to be one of the best defenders in college football.
He suffered a torn ACL that caused him to miss his last year in Knoxville. Rewind to 2024, and he was locking down the SEC’s best. Still only 20 years old (and not turning 21 until August), McCoy has quieted some concerns about his recovery by running a sub-4.40 forty-yard dash at his recent pro day.
Pick 29: Chris Johnson, San Diego State
From the KCSN Draft Guide: Johnson is a scheme versatile cornerback with the intelligence and instincts to succeed in zone-heavy schemes.