With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, everyone is trying to project who will go where and how teams will fill their biggest needs. For the Kansas City Chiefs, that includes bolstering the secondary after they traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason.
Last season, Kansas City won just six games, missed the playoffs, and holds the No. 9 pick as a result. However, they also acquired the No. 29 pick from Los Angeles in the McDuffie trade, and now all eyes are on Kansas City’s front office to see how they use their two picks, including their first top-10 pick since 2017 (when they drafted a certain QB named Patrick Mahomes at No. 10).
Derek Carr Suggests Chiefs Draft Avieon Terrell to Replace Trent McDuffie
Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr made his feelings clear on who Kansas City should draft during a recent episode of his “Home Grown with David & Derek Carr” podcast.
“I think that there’s a corner. I think that there’s a safety that we have to get our hands on. Now, for me, I’m going corner. You just lost Trent McDuffie,” Carr said. “The one that I love, you guys might think I’m crazy, but Avieon Terrell. I love him, man. This is A.J. Terrell’s brother.”
Carr then went on to give a brief explanation of why he’s a fan.
“Now, I look at 5-foot-11, 180. I see him making plays on the ball. Now, if there’s one person on the Clemson defense you’re not throwing at, it’s this guy,” Carr said, before adding that he’s a perfect fit for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo since he loves CBs who can tackle.
“I see nothing but forced fumbles. I see a lot of solo tackles. I see a lot of forced-fumble recoveries. He’s quick. You know, his brother played in the league. You know, he’s a smart kid.”
Here is Terrell’s scouting report from PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator:
“Terrell aims to keep both his school and family legacy alive by challenging for first-round capital in the 2026 NFL Draft. The younger brother of former Clemson great and current Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, Avieon has carved out his own place as a stalwart secondary defender for the Tigers.
“He stacked two interceptions and 21 pass breakups over his final two seasons, and also took on a penchant for “peanut punches”, racking up eight forced fumbles in the support phase. As a prospect, the younger Terrell doesn’t quite have the same size-speed combination his brother had, but Avieon is nonetheless a Round 1 talent in his own right. Terrell is one of the most technically and schematically-versatile CBs in the class.
“With his fast feet, fluid mobility, recovery burst, and sound technique, he can play press-man, flawlessly orient to WRs in off-man and toggle through techniques, or manage route relationships in zone. Terrell also has actionable slot-boundary versatility on day one, and he’s a true two-phase playmaker with ball skills against the pass and unique turnover-generating potential in run defense. An up-and-coming young player with an unnaturally high floor, Terrell has instant impact starter ability.”
Whether the Chiefs agree with Carr’s sentiment remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Kansas City needs help in their secondary and Terrell is one name worth watching.
