The Kansas City Chiefs used the NFL draft to infuse the defense with playmakers after a year that saw them miss the playoffs. General manager Brett Veach took full advantage, adding players who should make an impact in 2026.
While that's great news for fans and the organization, some veterans on the team should be looking over their shoulder. Safety Chamarri Conner is a defender who needs to bring his A-game to keep his job. If not, rookie defensive back Jadon Canady is waiting to snatch it away.
Chamarri Conner Needs to Be Ready All Offseason to Keep Job from Jadon Canady
Conner is a player who has earned the trust of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Since arriving in Kansas City back in 2023, he has played in multiple spots, but last season, he was their starting slot corner. And his results weren't good. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished with an overall grade of 53.2 (82nd among 98 graded safeties) and a coverage grade of 46.7 (86th among 98 graded safeties).
Teams consistently looked his direction when in coverage and found success. Conner allowed 56 receptions (68 targets) for 643 receiving yards and three touchdowns. They know that's not good enough, and with the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason, Kansas City isn't afraid to make changes.
If Conner comes out struggling during offseason workouts and Canady comes out hot, the rookie may be thrust into the lineup. But that shouldn't come as a surprise, as the Oregon product can be an effective player in the league. Canady is listed at 5'10", but he has the skillset to do his best work in the slot.
He has light feet and has the physicality to be disruptive at the catch point. The Florida native always has his eyes in the right place, which allows him to make the correct read. The biggest knock on him is his size, but that hasn't impacted the team's decision-making before.
Over his college career, Canady logged 154 total tackles, 23 pass deflections, seven tackles for loss, and four interceptions in 49 games. In The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote in his takeaway that, "Canady is undersized and underpowered, which shows in both phases, but his urgent athleticism and decisive reactions help ease those question marks. He can provide immediate depth at nickel for an NFL team."
The Chiefs will already have rookie Mansoor Delane start at one spot, but if Conner struggles at all this offseason, Canady could be asked to start, taking over in the slot, making this a position battle to keep an eye on.
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