The Kansas City Chiefs boast one of the most explosive rosters, especially on offense, across the NFL and only became more dynamic during the NFL Draft.
After adding Xavier Worthy to a receiving corps that already includes Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes’ supporting cast has the chance to be more prolific than ever. At least, more reliable than it was a year ago when Chiefs receivers dropped a league-high 41 passes.
However, after expending meaningful resources offensively during the NFL Draft and free agency, the Chiefs may need to turn some attention to the defense.
Trading away L’Jarius Sneed created a hole at cornerback, which one NFL analyst believes is now the most glaring on the roster.
How Kansas City Chiefs Can Bolster Biggest Need
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz suggests the Chiefs must figure out a way to upgrade at cornerback before the 2024 season kicks off in Arrowhead this fall.
“The Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl champions,” Schatz writes for ESPN. “So it is difficult to find holes on their roster. Wide receiver may be a problem if Rashee Rice’s legal issues lead to a long suspension, but even after Rice, the Chiefs do have Skyy Moore, Justin Watson and whatever they can get out of Kadarius Toney.
“There’s less depth behind the starting cornerback trio of Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie. The fourth corner is probably sixth-round rookie Kamal Hadden. Nic Jones, a seventh-round pick last year, barely played in his rookie season. Everyone else is a street free agent. This would be a great landing spot for a veteran such as Ahkello Witherspoon, who might be willing to take a small contract to go ring-chasing as a depth player.”
If the season began today, McDuffie, Williams, and Watson make a fine trio, with McDuffie approaching an All-Pro caliber level of play at the position.
However, if the Chiefs are looking to add quality depth, signing Xavien Howard may be the kind of move that significantly moves the needle.
Howard, 30, would provide quality veteran leadership and is coming off a 45-tackle and one-interception campaign for the Miami Dolphins.
Released by the Dolphins as a cap casualty, Howard is the premier cornerback available in free agency and could be lured to the Chiefs by the chance to chase a Super Bowl ring.
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