Will Trent McDuffie become the Chiefs' lockdown cornerback after Kansas City traded L'Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans this offseason?
McDuffie recently admitted he wishes Sneed was still on the team but acknowledged he's ready to assume a more prominent role.
"I don't know if it's a need, but it's definitely something that, as a competitor, it's 100 percent what I want to do, getting to line up against the best receivers each week," McDuffie said, via The Athletic's Nate Taylor. "That's why I'm doing what I'm doing."
Last season, Sneed served as the Chiefs' "shadow cornerback," lining up against the opponent's No. 1 wide receivers. He excelled in the role. Per Pro Football Focus, in 16 games, the 27-year-old allowed zero touchdown catches, 406 receiving yards and a below-average 55.6 passer rating in coverage.
McDuffie, however, showed he could fulfill the same role as Sneed. In 16 games last season, the First-Team All-Pro allowed two TD catches, 490 receiving yards and a 102.7 passer rating in coverage.
Secondary depth is still a concern for the Chiefs. CB2 Jaylen Watson surrendered a career-high five receiving TDs in 17 games last season. Kansas City drafted Tennessee's Kamal Hadden in the sixth round, but it's unclear if he'll emerge as a dependable starter.
McDuffie promises he'll get other defensive backs up to speed.
"For us, it just allows new guys to step up and take on a bigger role," the 23-year-old CB said, via Taylor. "I've got to step up and be more of a leader. That's exciting for me. I've had to speak up a little bit, especially with the rookies coming in and trying to learn this playbook."
The Chiefs potentially took a calculated risk when they moved on from Sneed. If McDuffie takes the next step, it will pay off, and it appears he's on the right track.
