Trent

McDuffie

Mahomes now gets multiple weeks off, with the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed safely secured. The Chiefs also declared TE Travis Kelce, DT Chris Jones, OT Jawaan Taylor, RB Isiah Pacheco, CB Trent McDuffie and DE George Karlaftis inactive, though beat reporter Adam Teicher notes that there “will be others in uniform who do not play.” Kareem Hunt is likely to be included in the latter category. The team listed him as doubtful to play on Friday although he is not injured.

McDuffie was designated for return on October 12th and has been practicing with the Chiefs ever since. The 2022 first-round pick was injured in the team’s Week 1 win over the Cardinals, but will now make his long-awaited return to the field. McDuffie could have a chance to suit up for the Chiefs’ Week 9 matchup against the Titans.

McDuffie went on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1. His return means the team will open his 21-day window to be activated from injured reserve once transactions are processed. All reports have his recovery going well, giving him a shot at playing in Week 6 against the Bills. Getting the first-round rookie, a starter for the defense in Week 1, back should help the defense in the long run. We don’t expect his return to have any ill effects on Josh Allen’s production this week.

McDuffie left Kansas City’s win over Arizona in the second half and was carted into the locker room. He played 21 coverage snaps before departing, and even though he’s a rookie, this will probably hurt Kansas City’s pass defense a bit. McDuffie will miss at least four weeks.

Kansas City did not actually practice, so this is an estimation. McDuffie suffered a hamstring injury early in the second half on Sunday and rode the cart into the locker room. It is doubtful he is ready to play Thursday night against the Chargers.

The first of Kansas City’s two first-round picks, McDuffie’s deal comes with a team option for 2026. The Chiefs traded up eight spots to draft McDuffie, a projected top-15 pick, at No. 21 overall. McDuffie started all three years and played in a press-man scheme at Washington, where he didn’t allow a touchdown his final two seasons. McDuffie helps offset the loss of Pro Bowl DB Tyrann Mathieu to the Saints this offseason.

Kansas City surrendered picks No. 29, 94 and 121 for the right to move up eight spots. The Chiefs have had an eye for cornerback talent under Andy Reid, though they have usually made their move after Day 1. A three-year starter, McDuffie allowed four touchdowns his freshman season but did not allow another over his next two. 2021 was his best campaign, where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 and third-team All-American honors from PFF and Phil Steele. He also posted career-highs in PFF grades with an 86.8 overall and 89.3 in coverage. Compared often to Jaire Alexander, McDuffie is sticky and fluid in coverage while being feisty and aggressive throughout. His mirroring skills are excellent, and he has the burst to close. His overall size and small arms (29.75 inches) might prevent him from being an elite corner and being great on the ball, but he should at worst be a force in the slot.

McDuffie (5'11"/193) may not have played in the most elite of conferences, but he has the least yards allowed by a Power Five cornerback in history. He beat Ohio State’s Gareon Conley by 47 yards. 111 yards in a full season is insane, as many cornerbacks can give that up in a game, must less a season. He posted an elite 89.3 PFF coverage grade in 2021 which was top 10 in the CFB. McDuffie is in a tier just below the top guys in Stingley Jr and Gardner, and some are putting McDuffie on that level. He’s a consensus first round pick, and with coverage like that it makes a lot of sense.

This cornerback class has a bevy of different options at the top of the class. From press coverage specialists to fluid athletes, there is something for everyone. Reid’s comparison of McDuffie (5'11/193) to Fuller makes a lot of sense. They are both fluid athletes that are sticky and feisty in coverage that make things difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Just like Fuller was, McDuffie is projected to be a first round pick that can thrive in any defense.

While the Washington offense was not very good, the defense was the complete opposite. The Huskies were one of the better passing defenses in the country thanks to Kyler Gordon and McDuffie (5'11/193) on the corners. McDuffie was the only cornerback over the last three years to have an 80 or higher PFF grade (2021: 86.8, 2020: 80.6, 2019: 85.4). He’s being projected as a first-round pick and is considered the third-ranked corner behind Ahmad Garnder and Derek Stingley. He’s excellent in press coverage and shows he can recognize plays. He possesses all the tools to be a high-caliber corner.