The slot cornerback has yet to develop which is good news for the Kansas City Chiefs who could be looking for one. One of the top slot corners, Casey Hayward, received a $5 million per year contract from the Chargers earlier in free agency.
Considering NFL teams as a whole were in nickel for 60 percent of the time last season - the new base defense - I'm surprised this position isn't valued more.
The Chiefs have Marcus Peters and Phillip Gaines on the outside and that's where the questions start. 2015 third round pick Steven Nelson in the slot? Ron Parker dropping down? Husain Abdullah coming back?
Or perhaps a free agent nickel corner. I was looking at the best available free agents per Pro Football Focus and noticed that some of the best players available are either nickel corners or a safety with the ability to cover the slot. The slot market, like the right tackle market, is an odd one.
Let's see what PFF thinks about the top corners remaining.
3. CB Patrick Robinson: Decent size at 5'11 and 191 pounds. "Robinson saw a bit of a resurgence in his one season in San Diego after being moved to the slot full-time," PFF writes. The Cowboys and Colts are said to be involved with this one. (Update: Sounds like he could be headed to Dallas)
4. S Walter Thurmond: Reportedly considering retirement at age 28. PFF says his ability to step in and cover the slot is a bonus.
6. CB Leon Hall: 5'11 and 195 pounds. He was moved to nickel corner and graded out positively. He's 31 years old. Probably a little old for a big contract but he would be a good contributor.
9. CB Brandon Boykin: Our Steelers blog can't figure out why he's available either. "Routinely one of the top slot cornerbacks in football when he was in Philadelphia," PFF writes. He's only 25. I'm not sure what the deal is with him.