The Kansas City Chiefs cornerback depth chart is going to change after GM John Dorsey used three picks on cornerbacks in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Chiefs can expect some shuffling within the depth chart as these names are added (KeiVarae Russell, Eric Murray, DJ White) and the team prepares for the loss of Sean Smith and the return of Phillip Gaines.
There are a lot of moving parts here but one thing we know for sure: Marcus Peters is the No. 1 corner next year. There's no question about that. What happens after that? I have no idea.
No. 2 corner battle: Gaines is probably in the lead but he's also a third year player coming off an ACL injury that didn't really come on until late in his rookie season. We're still doing some projecting there. Russell is going to play cornerback and it sounds like he is likely to play on the outside (if we're speculating). Some teams mentioned safety for Russell but Reid indicated corner.
Nickel corner: This could affect how things look at the No. 2. as well. Maybe Gaines is a better nickel corner so the Chiefs move Russell outside. Or maybe the Chiefs like Murray or one of the safeties (Jimmy Wilson?) covering the slot. I just want to find a nickel corner so that Ron Parker can play deeper where he is better. This position is basically a starter.
Murray is the wild card: Can he get on the field? Chiefs scouts raved about his toughness and he has qualities of both a corner and a safety. I'll be curious to see where he lands. We're pretty sure Russell will have a shot to compete at corner while we're pretty sure DJ White is going to be a special teamer early on. NFL.com said Murray could be a slot corner. Hmm...
Chiefs like big corners: We say that and they do but ... the Chiefs drafted corners haven't been the 6'3 Sean Smith types. Maybe that's because there aren't many big Sean Smith types and because everyone is looking for big corners these days. The Chiefs drafted corners and their size:
- CB Marcus Peters: 6', 197 pounds
- CB Phillip Gaines: 6', 193
- CB KeiVarae Russell: 5'11, 192 pounds
- CB Eric Murray: 5'11, 199 pounds
- CB DJ White: 5'11, 193 pounds