KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs made a first-round trade with the New England Patriots Thursday night, moving up from pick No. 29 to No. 21 and bolstering their defense by selecting University of Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The 5-foot-11, 193-pound McDuffie fills a need, especially after cornerback Charvarius Ward left in free agency.
McDuffie comes to Kansas City with proven game experience as a three-year starter at Washington, where he totaled 94 tackles, a sack, two interceptions and three passes defensed. He capped an accomplished college career with a first-team All-Pac 12 selection.
Kansas City’s newest cornerback excels in press-man and zone coverage with an ability to play outside or inside, making him an ideal fit for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
McDuffie, who clocked a 4.44 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, gives the Chiefs an immediate starter to plug-and-play alongside L’Jarius Sneed, with Rashad Fenton filling the nickel cornerback role.
Kansas City traded picks No. 29, No. 94 and No. 121 to the Patriots to move up and select McDuffie. The Chiefs still have pick No. 30 in the first round, two second-round picks (50 and 62) and a third-round pick (103).
