The Chiefs were able to bring back defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Drue Tranquill and defensive end Mike Danna from their Super Bowl-winning defense. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was the odd man out and was traded to the Titans.
Kansas City should look to find Sneed’s replacement in this year’s draft. They could wait until their second-round pick at No. 64 overall to select their cornerback if they went with another position in the first — such as a receiver. However,the better option would be to wait on receiver in a much deeper class considering the cornerback talent declines between picks No. 32 to No. 64.
Here are five cornerbacks the Chiefs could target in the first round of the draft.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri, CB
Measurables: 5-foot-11 | 183 pounds | 32-inch arms | 6-foot-4 wingspan | 8.5-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.51 40-yard dash | 1.54 10-yard split | 10-foot-0 broad
The talent of Rakestraw Jr. should see him drafted before the Chiefs make their selection. However, his slower-than-expected 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine lowered his expected draft position to the point where Kansas City could be in play.
If the Chiefs have the opportunity to add Rakestraw Jr. to their cornerback group, the franchise should jump at the chance. He has the versatility to play in any scheme whether press or off-man coverage as well as in zone.
Throw the 40-time out the window as he showed in the SEC that he can play with anyone. He’s explosive when flying up from off coverage or off the edges on blitzes. He’s a form tackler that arrives with a pop.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, CB
Measurables: 6-foot-0 | 199 pounds | 32-inch arms | 6-foot-4 wingspan | 8.5-inch hands
There’s no other cornerback in this draft class that can jam in press-man coverage like McKinstry. He stymies receivers and tight ends alike. When he blitzes he disguises it well to not tip his hand.
McKinstry couldn’t compete in testing at the combine with an injury but reportedly ran a 4.47 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day despite not being fully healed from a Jones fracture in his right foot.
When he’s in off-man and zone coverage and needs to drop, he’ll play too high in his backpedal and stay in it for too long. This leads to a sloppy flip of the hips, creating separation and making him grabby on receivers as he attempts to stay close in coverage.
Terrion Arnold, Alabama, CB
Measurables: 6-foot-0 | 189 pounds | 32-inch arms - 6-foot-4 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.50 40-yard dash | 1.54 10-yard split | 37-inch vertical | 10-foot-9 broad
Arnold plays with great feet, backpedal and fluid hips. He thrives in press man but doesn’t have the jam that is evident in his teammate McKinstry’s game. Arnold has great vision and smarts when playing in zone coverage, knowing when to pass off one man and smoothly pick up the next.
In off-man, he displays several issues as he’ll get caught flat-footed, become grabby and give up too much space on comebacks. Arnold routinely trails versus drag routes and struggled against the speed of Texas’ receivers as he was constantly either on the ground, holding or chasing. He also might not fall to No. 32.
Nate Wiggins, Clemson, CB
Measurables: 6-foot-1 | 173 pounds | 30.5-inch arms | 6-foot-2 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.28 40-yard dash | 1.59 10-yard split | 36-inch vertical | 10-foot-7 broad
Wiggins has similar versatility to Rakestraw Jr. as he can play in press or off-man coverage as well as zone coverage. He doesn’t have the time speed limitations of Rakestraw Jr. as he ran a blazing 4.28 40-yard dash.
However, Wiggins' frame is a concern as he could struggle to stay on the field at the NFL level. Ironically enough, he was injured running the 40-yard dash at the combine. His speed is more build-up than explosive as shown in his 1.59 10-yard split which was slower than receiver Keon Coleman’s 1.54, despite Coleman running a 4.61 40-yard dash.
Despite the concerns with his frame he’s fearless attacking the mesh point, frequently separating receivers from the ball. He has great change of direction and fluid hips. Bigger receivers can create space by leaning on Wiggins in their routes and quickly cutting away from coverage.
Max Melton, Rutgers, CB
Measurables: 5-foot-11 | 187 pounds | 32-inch arms | 6-foot-5 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.39 40-yard dash | 1.51 10-yard split | 40.5-inch vertical | 11-foot-4 broad
Melton checks a lot of boxes. He has blazing speed and the ability to play press or off-man coverage as well as zone coverage like Rakestraw Jr. and Wiggins while having the ability to jam in press, similar to McKinstry.
Melton is a team guy as he’s always the first one over to celebrate with his teammates. He’s a complete effort guy that’s not going to give up on any play. Melton is a highly-communicative, high-energy player that can play inside or outside at the next level.
What will the Chiefs do?
The cornerback position is going to go quickly in the first round. Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell is expected by most to be the first cornerback selected in this year’s draft. After Mitchell goes off the board we could see a run on the position. I’d expect the two Alabama cornerbacks, McKinstry and Arnold to be gone before the Chiefs get on the clock.
Wiggins is a wildcard because he can do so much but some teams will be scared of selecting him in the top 25 because of other talent available and fear of his sustainability due to his frame.
Rakestraw Jr. has the talent to go in the top-20 picks but will get pushed down due to his timed speed. If he falls past the top-25 picks, the Chiefs don’t need to hesitate and should pull the trigger to trade up and get Rakestraw Jr.
Melton was considered a third-round prospect for the majority of the draft process. He’s seen his stock soar the closer we get to the draft. He’ll be available at pick No. 32 and could be the Chiefs' pick to prevent the drop-off in talent from Melton to whoever may be available at pick No. 64.
