Kansas City Chiefs trade up for Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie in 2022 NFL Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to select Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie, who was a three-year starter in the Pac-12, with the No. 21 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After coming into the college ranks as one of the top cornerback prospects, he continued to deliver with improved performances each season.
The Chiefs traded up in the first round with the New England Patriots to make the selection, giving up the No. 29 overall pick and two other selections.
In three seasons at Washington, with only 27 games played, Trent McDuffie finished his college career with 94 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass deflections. His work was good enough to win All-Pac 12 and All-American honors for the Huskies.
A former four-star plus recruit in the class of 2019, he was the No. 117 overall player in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The Bellflower, California native also ranked as the No. 12 cornerback and No. 17 player in his home state after playing at St. John Bosco High School, where he played alongside fellow draft class member Chris Steele.
NFL draft analysts on Trent McDuffie
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Trent McDuffie can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the cornerback’s draft profile. The analyst compared the Washington product to Green Bay Packers star Jaire Alexander, who has emerged as one of the NFL’s best.
The NFL.com scout pointed out that while he does not bring the perfect physical attributes to his position, the skill and competition make up for it on big plays.
“Three-year starter whose average size is overshadowed by skillful ruggedness, allowing him to contest throws from a variety of coverages,” wrote Zierlein. “He’s an elite competitor with a route-hugging mentality fueled by body control, foot agility, aggression and burst. He’s a pesky press-man defender with the tools to excel in zone. He’s willing to fly downhill and hit anybody near the football.”