Chiefs’ CB hints at a new role as two prospects emerge

The Kansas City Chiefs secondary will have to adjust in 2024 after trading top cornerback L’Jarius Sneed this spring.

Trent McDuffie, a 2023 All-Pro, also addressed his new defensive role on May 22.

“I’m comfortable outside,” McDuffie told reporters at Organized Team Activities after mostly lined up on an island rather than in the slot during Wednesday’s practice. “I told that to [defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo] and even last year I was outside.”

Despite his nickelback role in 2023, the former first-rounder is familiar with the “corner” position. According to Pro Football Focus, McDuffie lined up on the outside 464 times as a rookie and also played cornerback in college.

Having said that, McDuffie played 448 snaps in the slot last year, in addition to 158 snaps in the “box” near the line of scrimmage and another 68 along the defensive line. Spagnuolo only used him as a cornerback 300 times last season.

The key reason for this was Sneed’s move from nickel/swiss army knife to shutdown cornerback in 2023.

“I feel like last year, going in at nickel was more of a new thing for me,” McDuffie said on May 22. He also mentioned second-year talents Chamarri Conner and Nic Jones as two players who have stepped up in his absence.

“I think they’re doing a great job,” McDuffie said about his predecessors in the position. “They’ve held down the nickel spot… “They’re always asking me questions in the film room.”

The 23-year-old veteran concluded that Conner and Jones are “coming along great,” adding that he’ll help wherever he can with tips and tidbits.

2023 Draft Picks Chamarri Conner & Nic Jones Competing for Chiefs’ Nickel Role?

According to McDuffie’s comments, Conner and Jones look to be competing for the nickel position after entering the NFL as part of the same draft class last April.

Conner, a fourth-round pick who played 305 defensive snaps as a rookie, is expected to have an advantage over Jones and any other opponents.

Conner received a 70.2 grade out of 100 in coverage in 2023, which is an excellent result for a rookie. He caught 15 of his 18 targets while limiting opposition receivers to 9.1 yards per reception, with no touchdowns and one interception.

His NFL passer rating allowed was 75.2, according to PFF.

If Conner failed in one area during his rookie season, it was as a tackler. In 2023, the former Virginia Tech defensive back had a high missed tackle percentage of 18.2%, with eight critical defensive stops and six missed tackles.

That number must improve, albeit Conner did thrive in run defense (75.5 grade) despite his tackling issues.

Jones, a seventh-round cornerback, essentially redshirted his first year on defense after a solid spring and summer learning the system. His only defensive snaps came in Week 18, when most starters sat.

Jones allowed five of six targets in coverage during that one outing, limiting the opposition to 10.6 yards per reception and a quarterback rating of 103.5. He also played 110 snaps on special teams as a rookie.

Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie Knows He Must Embrace Leadership Role After L’Jarius Sneed Trade

Speaking of new duties, McDuffie mentioned another area he must embrace now that Sneed is no longer on the roster.

“We all love LJ, are disappointed to see him go, and excited for his new adventure, but for us, I believe it just allows new guys to step up and take on a bigger role,” the first-round pick said on Wednesday afternoon. Saying: “Guys like me, I gotta step up, become more of a leader.”

McDuffie also encouraged rookies and second-year players to come into camp and “make a name for themselves.”