How Kansas City Chiefs can replace Kendall Fuller in 2020

By Leigh Oleszczak | Apr 14, 2020

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 08: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after breaking up a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

The first major free agent the Kansas City Chiefs lost this offseason was cornerback Kendall Fuller. How can they replace him in 2020 and beyond?

While Brett Veach has done an admirable job this offseason when it comes to retaining free agents, he couldn’t keep everyone from the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs roster. One of the first players to take his talents elsewhere was Kendall Fuller, who signed with Washington – the team who drafted him in the third round in 2016.

How will the Chiefs replace the production of Fuller?

Well, this offseason the team signed former Giants cornerback Antonio Hamilton, but he’s not likely going to be a starter. Hamilton will be used in certain packages and on special teams.

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The bigger move the Chiefs made at the corner position was retaining Bashaud Breeland, who was the better player between the two last year. Fuller actually seemed like a bit of a disappointment prior to being used in a safety role during the playoffs.

While the Chiefs definitely made cornerback less of a need with the re-signing of Breeland, drafting one is the best way to replace Fuller moving forward. Breeland won’t be replacing him because he played on the field the same time as Fuller, and as mentioned above, Hamilton isn’t a surefire starter.

The most likely corners the Chiefs could see fall to them at pick 32 – assuming they stay put there and don’t trade out of the first round – are names like Jeff Gladney of TCU, Trevon Diggs of Alabama, or Jaylon Johnson of Utah. Kristian Fulton out of LSU would be a wonderful addition to Kansas City’s secondary, but the chances of him being on the board at pick 32 isn’t likely.

The Chiefs still have Charvarius Ward as one of their starting corners, so while losing Fuller is big, it’s not as devastating as losing Breeland would have been. Juan Thornhill will be back at safety, which is the reason Fuller was slotted in at that spot in the first place.

To replace Fuller, the Chiefs need to add a corner in the draft. This would also be a good move for next year as well, as it’s unlikely Breeland comes back again in 2021. That means the Chiefs will definitely need a starter at the position for the following season and drafting a corner every year is probably something they should be doing anyway.

How would you recommend the Kansas City Chiefs fill the void of Kendall Fuller in 2020 and beyond?

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