With the 21st overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Washington Huskies CB Trent McDuffie. What will McDuffie’s rookie contract look like, and where does he project into the Chiefs’ current depth chart?
Trent McDuffie drafted 21st overall by the Kansas City Chiefs
In 2021, McDuffie was selected as a third-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12. Prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, the Huskies had three defensive backs selected in the first round. The most recent was Marcus Peters in 2015. This is the second time since 1967 that the Huskies have had defensive players selected in the first round in consecutive drafts.
McDuffie’s projected rookie contract
Because McDuffie was the 21st overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, this is what his projected rookie contract should look like. Contract numbers are from Over the Cap.
- Total Value: $15.8 million
- Signing Bonus: $8.7 million
- 2022 Base Salary: $705,000
- 2022 Cap Number: $2.9 million
McDuffie’s strengths and areas to improve
Here is a snapshot of what the Chiefs will be getting with the selection of McDuffie. For further information, check out McDuffie’s full scouting report.
Strengths
- Engages receivers at the line of scrimmage, quickly flips his hips in transition, and runs downfield with opponents
- Stays with assignments, effectively covers receivers on crossing patterns, and displays a burst to the ball
- Effective backed off the line of scrimmage and shows the ability to drive to the ball out of his plant
Areas for improvement
- Size can make it difficult for him to disengage in run defense and doesn’t have much natural strength at the contact point
- Length is subpar from a proportional standpoint
- Can improve spacing in zone coverage
How does McDuffie project in the Chiefs’ depth chart?
McDuffie could immediately become the Chiefs’ second-best defender behind Chris Jones. He comes from a long line of NFL-ready cornerbacks from Washington. However, unlike many of his predecessors, he does not lack size or athleticism.
McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed are a good tandem, but the Chiefs still have a long way to go defensively. While the linebacker play is sufficient, they have massive holes on the edge, and their secondary took a step back with the loss of Tyrann Mathieu.
When do the Chiefs pick next in the 2022 NFL Draft?
As of the time they drafted McDuffie, the Chiefs have these remaining picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Round 1 (Pick 30)
- Round 2 (Pick 50 from Miami)
- Round 2 (Pick 62)
- Round 3 (Pick 104; Resolution JC-2A)
- Round 4 (Pick 135)
- Round 6 (Pick 191)
- Round 7 (Pick 233 from Minnesota)
- Round 7 (Pick 243 from Raiders via Patriots)
- Round 7 (Pick 251)
- Round 7 (Pick 259*)
*Compensatory pick
For the full results and upcoming draft order, check out our pick-by-pick tracker for the 2022 NFL Draft.