The Kansas City Chiefs continue to make massive changes to their roster, with the latest being a blockbuster trade on Wednesday.
The Chiefs are trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for four total picks. Those selections are 2026 first, fifth, and sixth-round picks, in addition to a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft, per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
That's a massive deal and creates a void in Kansas City's secondary. With free agency kicking off next week, Asante Samuel Jr. seems like a logical target for the Chiefs to consider, along with whatever options present themselves in the draft.
Chiefs Could Target Asante Samuel Jr. After Massive Trent McDuffie Trade
The Chiefs are making it clear they plan to attack this position in the NFL draft, as Schultz reported: "For the Chiefs, they’ve long believed they can draft and develop CBs — something they’ve done consistently over the years. The plan is to do it again this year."
While that may be their long-term plan, they need to bring in a veteran, and Samuel Jr. isn't someone who will break the bank. Last year, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year, $1.255 million deal. He underwent spinal fusion surgery last April, but was cleared in November before meeting with several teams.
Over the last two seasons, Samuel Jr. missed time due to stingers and a spinal injury but was solid in six outings with the Steelers in 2025, logging a 67.2 overall grade and a 65 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.
Before those injuries, Samuel Jr. was a stable starter for the Chargers between 2021 and 2023. During that stretch, he started in 43 games, racking up 163 total tackles, 35 pass breakups, and six interceptions. Assuming his health, there is reason to believe Samuel could be a contributor on a contender, which is what the Chiefs need most.
Given the corner's time with the Chargers, he's no stranger to the Chiefs, logging 19 total tackles and two interceptions over six games against Kansas City. That level of comfort goes both ways, as Samuel Jr. would be in tune with the way the Chiefs go about their business in the secondary, while Kansas City has been forced to go against the corner since he entered the league.
He would provide Kansas City with a defender who has 50 starts under his belt. While he isn't a perfect player, no one is. The objective after the McDuffie trade is to raise the floor at the position, and the acquisition of Samuel Jr. would do that. It's also a move that wouldn't deter them from adding to the CB room via the NFL draft.
That's a pathway they clearly want to go down, as suggested by Schultz and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Regardless, the Chiefs can't wait until April to start plugging in the hole, making the idea of Samuel Jr. joining Kansas City that much more plausible.
Losing an All-Pro corner is never ideal, but potentially adding Samuel Jr. could help soften the blow a bit.