In the 2022 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs traded up eight spots to select Trent McDuffie at 22nd overall, making him the third cornerback off the board.
Moving up for McDuffie looks like a smart long-term investment, as the first-year corner was one of the most consistent defensive backs in the NFL down the stretch. It was not all smooth sailing, as the Washington product suffered a hamstring injury not 30 snaps into Week 1, causing McDuffie to miss six games.
The injury is what makes his rookie campaign even more impressive, as he faced adversity early on and still found his footing after missing the earliest portion of the season. Most rookies who suffer injuries early on tend to struggle to find a rhythm and it has an impact for the majority of the season.
McDuffie allowed 25 catches on 45 targets last season, which is a 55% catch rate, ranking 14th among all NFL cornerbacks. On those 25 receptions allowed, the 22-year-old defensive back gave up just 253 yards, which is just 10.1 yards per reception. McDuffie ranked inside the top 15 in both metrics, finishing seventh in yards allowed. It is important to note that McDuffie had an 80% snap share in the games he played.
For the casual fan, McDuffie’s first season may appear underwhelming because of the lack of interceptions and passes defended. However, those stats were not as high because McDuffie’s coverage was elite. Quarterbacks simply didn’t opt to test him in coverage.
Out of all of the Chiefs’ cornerbacks, McDuffie was targeted against the least. Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson were the next closest, in terms of receptions allowed, but both played below 50 percent of snaps. L’Jarius Sneed allowed 60 receptions on 92 targets while possessing a 78% snap share.
By the end of the 2023 season, it is more than plausible that McDuffie establishes himself as Kansas City’s CB1. At 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds, McDuffie is not your prototypical outside corner. However, his technique, instincts, and overall ability to stick onto opposing receivers is why he plays that role at times for the Chiefs.
The AFC title game was a perfect example of McDuffie’s potential as CB1. When lined up against Ja’Marr Chase, McDuffie allowed one catch on three targets for eight yards.
Interceptions were hard to come by for McDuffie, as he failed to intercept a pass in 2022. However, if opposing quarterbacks test McDuffie more frequently in 2023, look for the second-year corner to rack up multiple interceptions and break up more passes.
