There have already been plenty of changes for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason. But few areas have seen the overhaul that the cornerback position has had since the new league year started.
The Chiefs kicked off the new year by trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. Jaylen Watson followed McDuffie soon after, and there were suddenly two big holes in the Kansas City secondary. While Nohl Williams and free agent addition Kader Kohou will be part of the solution, the third spot seems to be entrusted to Kristian Fulton.
Fulton’s first year with the Chiefs didn’t completely go to plan, and while Kansas City didn’t spend big in free agency, they got a haul of draft picks by trading McDuffie. Put it together, and it’s likely that Fulton’s competition could be added when the Chiefs are on the clock in next month’s draft.
Kristian Fulton Most Likely to Be Sweating Out Chiefs’ Draft Plans
Fulton doesn’t have to worry about his job immediately, as the Chiefs’ depth chart is currently light at cornerback. Kohou, Williams, and Fulton are the projected starters, and the final two spots are currently owned by Melvin Smith Jr. and Kevin Knowles.
While Fulton would be happy if that went into the regular season, it is highly unlikely, considering the nine picks the Chiefs own in the 2026 draft.
Kansas City’s first three picks should be Fulton’s biggest concern. The Chiefs have three selections in the top 40, including their original ninth overall pick and the 29th overall pick acquired in the McDuffie trade.
NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus mock draft currently lists the Chiefs to select LSU’s Mansoor Delane with the ninth overall pick, but Fulton could still be sweating it out if they decide to go in a different direction, such as Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, fellow Buckeye Carnell Tate (WR), or Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain.
NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board also has five corners listed in the top 40, which also includes Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy (No. 15) and Colton Hood (No. 36), Clemson’s Avieon Terrell (No. 23) and South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse (No. 39). With the No. 74 pick in the third round, it would be a surprise if the Chiefs didn’t select at least one cornerback in their first four selections and could take another in the back end of the draft considering their success at developing young corners.
All of this means that Fulton will have to be on his game this offseason. The Chiefs signed Fulton to a two-year, $20 million contract last spring, and he only appeared in eight games (two starts), making 16 total tackles. Pro Football Focus also charged Fulton with eight receptions for 135 yards with four pass breakups on 16 targets.Â
With an offseason knee procedure keeping Fulton out for most of last year’s offseason program and a Week 2 ankle injury that cost him more time, staying on the field will be just as important as Fulton’s performance. It's become clear that both will play a key role, as Fulton will have to fend off one or possibly multiple cornerbacks after the draft.