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The solution: More quantity over quality. Veach’s track record is to generally lean on veterans with smaller contracts or unheralded prospects at cornerback, trusting that Spagnuolo can get more out of those defensive backs than others. McDuffie and Fulton are the exceptions to that rule, but the Chiefs have gotten useful-to-great work out of players such as Watson, L’Jarius Sneed and Bashaud Breeland, even if the latter was only for a short stretch.
While Veach could use one of his first-round picks at cornerback if there’s a player he loves, the Chiefs seem more likely to use those selections to address the defensive line. The additions Veach will make at corner might not come until Day 3 of the draft or as part of the undrafted free agent market.
If the Chiefs do add more veterans, I would expect them to be players such as Kohou — younger options who have had reasons for stalling out elsewhere. Martin Emerson Jr. was impressive for the Browns before missing all of 2025 with a torn Achilles. Former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah has bounced around the league since his initial run with the Lions, but he’s still only 27 and has been a good tackler as a pro, a trait Spagnuolo prizes in his defensive backs.
Moving forward in free agency, the Chiefs are a possible destination for pass rusher Cameron Jordan, according to a league source. The 15-year veteran spent last season with the New Orleans Saints, recording 10.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Jones revealed that he was pitching the idea of Jordan, who’s a free agent, joining the Chiefs by posting his name on his X account last week. If Jordan did join the Chiefs, he would give them a clear upgrade on the edge while playing on the opposite side of defensive end George Karlaftis.
The Chiefs entered Thursday with around $10 million in salary cap space. In order to sign Jordan, the Chiefs could create more cap space by restructuring the contracts of Jones and center Creed Humphrey.
1. Trading Trent McDuffie
In a perfect world, the Chiefs could retain McDuffie, but that is not the reality in a salary cap league. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes making top-of-the-line money at his position, it was impossible to sign the 25-year-old cornerback to an extension.
Although it was painful to see one of the top cornerbacks in the league leave, Kansas City was able to recoup four draft picks – three in 2026 and one in 2027 – including a 2026 first-round pick (29th overall). The Chiefs received 120 cents on the dollar for a great player and avoided paying $31 million annually to the 2022 first-round pick.
These are the types of moves teams must make to sustain a high level of success. Although it is not the most popular decision, the Chiefs have potentially prolonged their Super Bowl window by resetting the roster for the second phase of the Mahomes era.
Chris Olave
Despite trade rumors at last year’s deadline, the Saints and Olave have reportedly been working on a contract extension. However, no word on those talks has emerged since last fall which doesn’t necessarily bode well as the two approach the 2026 season, the last in Olave’s contract. I’m not trying to stir drama where there isn’t but the foundation seems to be set for a trade if those negotiations don’t make significant progress past this summer.
Predicted destination: Kansas City Chiefs
We all know the Kansas City Chiefs won’t stay down for long. 2025 was likely a fluke down year emphasized by Patrick Mahomes’ late injury. He should be ready to go for 2026 and if he’s got the team anywhere near sniffing a top seed in the playoffs, the front office will be looking to buy an asset that solidifies their Super Bowl contention. Olave would shore up a wide receiver room that is topped by Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy by providing a veteran presence and a more stable catch-rate than Hollywood Brown.
Around the NFL
Smith-Njigba, the 20th overall pick in 2023 and the 2025 NFL offensive player of the year, now has a fully-guaranteed salary of $23.852 million for 2027. Witherspoon, taken fifth overall, will make $21.161 million in 2027.
Both will be seeking new contracts, sooner than later. The fifth-year option gives them protection in the event of a fluke injury in the early portions of the 2026 offseason program, since the deadline for exercising the option doesn’t arrive until May 1.
Smith-Njigba has said he believes he should be the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. That would require an extension with a new-money average in excess of $40 million. To get Smith-Njigba to a new-money APY of $41 million, the Seahawks would need to sign him to a five-year, $148.4 million contract. That would equate to a total average from signing of $29.68 million, given what he’s due to earn over the next two seasons.
NFL owners are scheduled to vote on a Las Vegas Raiders succession plan that gives Silver Lake co-chief executive officer Egon Durban the option to purchase a majority stake in the team from longtime owner Mark Davis, according to multiple ownership and team executives with direct knowledge of the situation.
Although sources close to Davis say he has no intention of selling his majority stake, the vote would mean that if and when Davis, or his heirs, did decide to sell, Durban, a limited partner, would have the option to buy the club. Owners would then have to approve Durban as the new controlling owner, per league rules.
Four sources with knowledge of the situation said that owners will also vote on Davis selling roughly 7% of the team to Durban and another limited partner, Michael Meldman. That sale would put the team’s valuation at nearly $10 billion, two of those sources said.
Following Brown’s trade to Atlanta, Rapoport reported that the Eagles are bringing back safety Marcus Epps and have agreed to terms with veteran safety J.T. Gray. Both are one-year deals, per Rapoport.
A third-round pick in 2023, Brown made nine total starts in three seasons with the Eagles. He’s totaled two interceptions, two forced fumbles, five pass break-ups and 86 tackles in 42 games.
The Falcons add experienced depth to their secondary with the acquisition of Brown, who joins a talented secondary in Atlanta that includes starters Jessie Bates and Xavier Watts on the back end. Brown’s versatility will allow defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to use him in multiple ways in coverage, and the 26-year-old cut his teeth in the NFL as a sure-tackling special teamer.
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According to Pro Football Focus, Cochrane finished second on the team in special-teams tackles (11) despite playing the most snaps in 2025. Rookie linebacker Cooper McDonald (12) beat him out, although Cochrane missed fewer tackles (2) than the undrafted, mini-camp tryout success story (5).
However, only cornerback Joshua Williams (4) had more penalties than Cochrane, who tied with rookie cornerback Kevin Knowles (3) for the second-most times flagged among special-teams players.
In his second year, he made his first career start in the regular-season finale — but earlier in the campaign, he played 57 snaps on the road against the Green Bay Packers in place of injured linebackers Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill. His first significant action came in a 27-19 loss, but he made seven solo tackles, with two resulting in a loss.
In the two years since, Cochrane has only made one other start: this past season in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. He racked up five tackles over 29 snaps.
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