#22 Jump Street.

Trent McDuffie has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks, and his performance in the Kansas City Chiefs' season opener against the Baltimore Ravens only solidified that status. Targeted just three times, McDuffie allowed a mere 22 yards, showcasing his exceptional coverage ability. Recently, former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison declared McDuffie his top choice for a secondary-only draft, stating he believes McDuffie is the most valuable defensive back in the league—a sentiment I wholeheartedly echo.

With the absence of L'Jarius Sneed, who now plays in Tennessee after being traded last offseason, many fans were concerned about McDuffie's ability to hold down the Chiefs' secondary without an all-pro caliber player beside him. While one game is a small sample size, it’s fair to say McDuffie is on track for another All-Pro season. The Ravens' main receiving duo of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman is no pushover, but McDuffie handled them with ease, exerting complete control over his assignments and matchups.

Given his standout play, the Chiefs should consider extending McDuffie with a lucrative contract, potentially around $25 million per year with $70 million guaranteed, before market rates increase following deals like Sauce Gardner's. While Kansas City has historically been reluctant to pay their defensive backs—letting great players like Tyrann Mathieu, Charvarius Ward, and most recently L'Jarius Sneed leave in free agency—McDuffie is a transcendent Swiss Army knife talent that must be retained long-term. His versatility and impact on the field make him a cornerstone of the Chiefs' defense, and securing his future in Kansas City is essential. McDuffie's play has been so impressive that he may be entering the ranks of the Mahomes, Kelce, and Jones trio, now forming a quartet of franchise players for the Chiefs.

---