Here's why Kristian Fulton has come 'full circle' with Chiefs
Fulton signed a two-year contract during NFL free agency
Kansas City’s newest cornerback Kristian Fulton knows a thing or two about the Chiefs outside of playing against the team over the past few seasons.
And it comes down to history.
Fulton previously met with the Chiefs in a formal interview during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, a significant predraft process when considering teams are limited to just 45 total meetings in the prescribed setting.
Fulton admits he doesn’t remember all the details from his formal interview with the Chiefs, and he went on to be a second-round pick with the Tennessee Titans before spending last season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs signed Fulton to a two-year deal during free agency two weeks ago, perhaps signaling good things eventually happen for a reason.
“It always comes back full circle, and it was meant to be,” Fulton said during a recent Zoom teleconference. “Maybe it didn’t happen then, but now it’s meant to be for us to work together and to build on success that we’ve already had. And I’m looking forward to building on that off the field, on the field and doing my best to get us back on top of the football world.”
Fulton’s arrival provides Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt another weapon in coverage.
And the Chiefs have versatility with Fulton, who can play zone and press-man coverage. Both attributes provide flexibility for Spagnuolo and Merritt within the defensive scheme.
“I’ve talked to both of them,” Fulton said. “Great coaches, great guys, and they told me how much they love my game. They love how they think I can be a key piece on the defense to fit right in the scheme.
“They watched me when I came out of college; that was something that stood out to them. They feel that they can take my game to another level.”
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound Fulton projects as a starter opposite Trent McDuffie in the Chiefs’ 4-3 base defense.
Fulton, who turns 27 in September, brings plenty of NFL playing experience, having appeared in 57 career games with 52 starts. His presence also gives Spagnuolo the option to play Fulton and Jaylen Watson on the outside, while shifting McDuffie to the slot when the defense transitions to a nickel package.
Regardless of where he eventually lines up, Fulton believes the Chiefs are the right fit for his skill set.
And he’s primed to contribute based on what he’s observed from afar of his new team.
“I think what stands out to me, obviously, within the past few years – well, obviously being a defensive guy, I know defense wins championships even though it’s a great offense as well,” Fulton said. “You don’t get to this level in the NFL without having a great defense, and the past few years, it’s been put on display.
“Obviously, being a corner, I like to watch other corners in this league and the past few years they’ve had some of the top guys in the league with their play and then their scheme, so I feel like it was a great fit for me to be put in this position, put myself in this position.”
