Chiefs have PFF’s top-rated CB. Here’s what his position coach thinks about that
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt said he was unaware that cornerback Trent McDuffie is 2023’s top-rated cornerback on Pro Football Focus.
He agrees with the sentiment, though.
“I see that and more,” Merritt said Thursday. “Trent right now is playing at a very high level.”
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise from the Chiefs’ strong start defensively has been the former first-round pick McDuffie, who appears to have graduated from a solid rookie last season to a potential Pro Bowler in his second campaign.
And that includes him producing in more than one area.
Start with his coverage skills, as McDuffie’s 89.9 Pro Football Focus (PFF) coverage grade ranks second among all NFL defenders.
Merritt has been most impressed by McDuffie’s ability to use three different press coverage approaches based on both the opponent and what happens after the snap.
“His patience and his ability to be able to execute the techniques that we’re asking him to execute has been phenomenal,” Merritt said.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said that type of coverage ability has had a positive ripple effect throughout the defense.
McDuffie being able to handle inside coverage has allowed the Chiefs to bump veteran corner L’Jarius Sneed to the perimeter. While there, Spagnuolo has been able to be creative, while oftentimes locking Sneed onto an opposing team’s top receiver.
“We’ve talked about how versatile LJ (L’Jarius Sneed) is ... I mean, Trent is just as versatile, being able to go inside and outside,” Spagnuolo said.
McDuffie also has been strong against the run. He’s forced two fumbles this season — tops among NFL cornerbacks — with Merritt saying he’s always taken aback during Wednesday practices each week by how forcefully McDuffie hits the tackling sled.
“This young man is explosive coming out of his hips,” Merritt said. “The willingness to tackle is very important, and he’s been doing it from Day 1.”
He’s also usually in the right spot, Merritt said, thanks to his study habits.
Merritt described McDuffie Thursday as “probably one of the smartest DBs that I’ve come across at this age.” McDuffie says he takes that part of his game seriously, often watching two hours of film each night before starting his typical film sessions — with coffee in hand — at 6 a.m. the following day.
His goal? To know his opponent’s tendencies before the weekly team meetings, so he doesn’t have to jot down notes frantically.
“Just being able to go out there and slow this game down,” McDuffie said, “has been huge for me.”
The early results have been promising.
Thus far, according to PFF, quarterbacks have had a 73.9 passer rating when targeting McDuffie. The cornerback also had one of his best games in last week’s win against Chicago, posting the Chiefs’ highest defensive grade overall (92.9), in coverage (91.6) and with run defense (90.2).
Merritt reiterated this much Thursday: He wasn’t surprised with what PFF graders were seeing with his young cornerback.
“They obviously have been watching the film,” Merritt said, “because he’s been playing some good football for us, and we need that.”
