The Kansas City Chiefs, two-time defending Super Bowl champions, are renowned for their explosive offense led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes’ exceptional talent has propelled the Chiefs to six consecutive AFC Championship games. However, their success isn’t solely due to offensive prowess; the Chiefs’ defense has significantly improved in recent seasons, playing a crucial role in their victories.
While defensive tackle Chris Jones, a perennial Pro Bowler and All-Pro, anchors the defensive line, another rising star is emerging in the secondary: cornerback Trent McDuffie.
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Drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft from the University of Washington, McDuffie is rapidly ascending the cornerback rankings. The Chiefs have experienced key departures in their secondary in recent years, losing Charvarius Ward in 2022 and L’Jarius Sneed in 2024. McDuffie’s emergence has mitigated the impact of these losses, solidifying his position as a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ defense. Earning All-Pro honors in just his second season, McDuffie is on a trajectory to join the ranks of elite Chiefs players like Mahomes, Jones, and Travis Kelce, all of whom were ranked in the top 10 of the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.
While McDuffie didn’t make the Top 100 list this year, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes he’s on the cusp of a breakthrough. In a recent article highlighting five players poised to break into the NFL Top 100 in 2025, Kay featured McDuffie.
Kay argues that if McDuffie maintains his high level of play without Sneed by his side and contributes to a third consecutive Super Bowl victory for the Chiefs, his exclusion from the Top 100 would be a significant oversight. “If McDuffie continues to play at the same level without Sneed to help take the heat off and the Chiefs go on to win an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl, it would be almost criminal to keep the star defensive back out of the NFL Top 100,” Kay wrote.
The 2024 season presents new challenges for McDuffie. As the undisputed number one cornerback, he’ll face tougher matchups and greater responsibility within the Chiefs’ defense. However, if he continues to excel and contribute to the team’s success, McDuffie is likely to earn his place among the NFL’s top 100 players in 2025. His performance this season will be critical in determining whether he achieves this recognition.
