The Kansas City Chiefs made a significant move on Wednesday after finishing last year with a 6-11 record and missing the NFL Playoffs.
The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly made the decision to trade All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. In exchange for McDuffie, the Chiefs will receive four draft picks: a first-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and a sixth-round pick in 2026, as well as a third-round pick in 2027.
That decision may alter their strategy for the upcoming NFL draft. In light of this news, ESPN's Jordan Reid has updated his latest mock draft. He now predicts that the Chiefs will select Jermod McCoy, a former All-SEC cornerback, as McDuffie's replacement with the 29th pick, which they acquired from the Rams.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
"With Trent McDuffie now traded to the Rams and Jaylen Watson entering free agency, the Chiefs have a glaring hole at corner," Reid wrote. "If we're going strictly by talent, McCoy is a top-10 prospect in this class. But he hasn't played a game since 2024, missing all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in January 2025. We're still not sure where he's at in his recovery, as he did not participate in testing or drills at the combine. But McCoy is an easy mover who has squeaky-clean technique. All eyes will be on Tennessee's pro day on March 31, when McCoy is expected to participate in a full workout."
The reported trade of McDuffie to the Rams signals a calculated reset in the secondary for the Chiefs. With Watson also entering free agency, cornerback quickly becomes one of the roster’s most urgent needs. That makes McCoy a logical, though high-variance, solution at No. 29.
On pure talent, McCoy grades far higher than his projected draft slot. The former All-SEC standout from the Tennessee Volunteers displayed elite mirror ability, fluid hips and disciplined technique on his 2024 tape, traits that fit seamlessly into Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. The concern remains his ACL recovery after missing the entire 2025 season and opting not to test at the combine. Tennessee’s pro day now becomes a pivotal checkpoint for his draft stock.
For Kansas City, this move would represent a bet on upside. Accumulating extra picks from the Rams provides flexibility, but replacing an All-Pro is never simple. If McCoy proves healthy and regains pre-injury form, the Chiefs could turn a blockbuster trade into a long-term solution at corner, while maintaining the draft capital necessary to keep their championship window open.