Trent McDuffie
Getty
Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are just kicking off an offseason of considerable pain, and trading away star cornerback Trent McDuffie was merely the first body blow.
The exceptional draft asset package Kansas City got from the Los Angeles Rams in return for McDuffie — the No. 29 pick in the first round as well as fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2026, along with a third-rounder in 2027 — should provide a healthy salve for the wound losing McDuffie blew through the backend of the defense.
But more heartache is likely coming, and soon, according to Albert Breer of SI. Breer authored a mailbag on Thursday, March 5, and one question he addressed dealt with whether the McDuffie deal makes it more likely that cornerback Jaylen Watson or safety Bryan Cook will remain in Kansas City in 2026 and beyond. Both are unrestricted free agents next week.
“I don’t think so,” Breer responded. “I’ve heard Watson could get over $15 million per year, and Cook likely lands right around that. The Chiefs, behind DC Steve Spagnuolo and secondary coach Dave Merritt, have done a really good job developing those positions, and my guess is they reluctantly walk away from a couple of players they like because of it.”
Chiefs Have Major Needs Across Several Crucial Positions This Offseason
Chris Jones speaks out after Chiefs' Mike Danna cut news
GettyKansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.
The Chiefs now own nine selections in April’s draft, including four picks inside the top 74, three inside the top 40 and two in the first round.
If Kansas City hopes to return to Super Bowl competitiveness in 2026, not only will quarterback Patrick Mahomes need to return fully healthy, and early, next season following his ACL/LCL tear in Week 15, but the front office must hit hard on at least two or three of those draft picks through the end of Day 2 (Round 3).
The Chiefs’ needs include defensive tackle, edge-rusher, running back and likely cornerback and safety, should Breer’s prediction prove correct. Tight end will be a need if Travis Kelce decides to retire, while some analysts have argued Kansas City ought to use its No. 9 overall pick to draft the best wide receiver available given how thin the team is top-to-bottom in that position group.
Chiefs Connected to Running Back Jeremiyah Love With No. 9 Pick
GettyRunning back Jeremiyah Love of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Others have suggested that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman Trophy finalist and by far the best prospect at his position in what is otherwise a down class for RBs in 2026, should be the Chiefs’ priority if he is still available inside the top 10.
Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports, while speaking with Mina Kimes of ESPN on the February 26 edition of her podcast, noted the possibility of Love joining the Chiefs and exploding out of the gate alongside Mahomes and behind what should be a solid offensive line next year in Kansas City.
Tice drew comparisons between what a Mahomes-Love pairing could be and what Ezekiel Elliott accomplished with fellow rookie Dak Prescott as his quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys in 2016.
However, he and Kimes also noted how many other needs Kansas City has and how much more expensive players at positions like edge-rusher and wide receiver will be in free agency compared to running backs the Chiefs could get on the open market, which argues for drafting a different position inside the top 10.