Latest news with #KristianFulton
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs scouting report: Auburn Tigers CB Raion Strader
The Kansas City Chiefs filled out their cornerback room this offseason by signing Kristian Fulton and drafting Nohl Williams in the third round. The additions allow Kansas City to play Trent McDuffie in the slot more frequently, which maximizes his playmaking ability. However, the Chiefs need to plan to replace departing free agent cornerbacks through the 2026 NFL draft. Auburn Tigers cornerback Raion Strader projects as one of the top Day 3 defensive backs in the 2026 class, but there's plenty of room for him to move up and down draft boards. Strader stared at Miami (OH) last season, where he intercepted two passes and broke up 18 total. Much of his draft stock rides on his performance in his first year at the SEC level. Strader is a lean cornerback unofficially listed at 6'0", 185 lbs. He's a little high-hipped but appears to meet the league's thresholds for arm length. Strader needs to develop better placement with his jams, but he delivers some firm one-armed stabs that re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage. He also drives receivers who release outside into the sideline. Strader thrives in off-man coverage. Playing off the ball protects him from some of the minor hip stiffness that shows up when he's in true press. This alignment also makes the most of Strader's anticipation and closing burst. He drives to undercut short routes or meet wide receivers at the catch point on slants. Strader reads the quarterback's eyes to get an early jump on plays, but this sometimes leads to him being pulled out of position by eye manipulation. Strader gets in phase quickly at the line in press-man or at the top of the stem in off-man. He rarely loses over the top and flashes the recovery speed to get back in plays when he allows initial vertical separation. His hand-eye coordination and ball tracking help him consistently make plays on the ball, even when he's facing much larger pass catchers. Strader's anticipation and vision also make him a weapon in zone coverage. His awareness and recognition skills when facing high-low concepts or plays flooding his zone stand out. He quickly processes the play and triggers to take away the quarterback's preferred target. Strader suffers from some physical limitations. His hip stiffness causes him to allow separation on comebacks and curls, and he lacks the play strength to contend with stalk blocks consistently. Despite these concerns, Strader is a quality prospect who could develop into a contributor midway through his rookie contract. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL draft scouting report: Auburn Tigers CB Raion Strader
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs get 2 important contributors back at Thursday's practice
As the Kansas City Chiefs came down the hill for their 14th training camp session at St. Joseph's Missouri Western State University on Thursday morning, there was a welcome change: free agent cornerback Kristian Fulton was ready to practice for the first time. The former Los Angeles Chargers corner had been on the team's Active/PUP (physically-unable-to-perform) list since camp began, recovering from an offseason cleanup surgery on his knee. Also returning to work was linebacker Drue Tranquill, who had missed four days with a strained back. Four players were held out. Tight end Jake Briningstool (hamstring) missed his 10th straight day. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle) was out for his sixth practice. Wide receiver Rashee Rice (groin) and linebacker Cam Jones (unknown) did not participate for the second time. Shortly after practice began, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett was in the medical tent with what appeared to be an injury to his right foot or lower leg. He ended up returning to practice. After the session concluded, head coach Andy Reid said that Lovett had 'tweaked' his ankle. He also said that running back Brashard Smith had suffered a finger injury. Near the end of practice, wide receiver Jason Brownlee was shaken up while going after a pass in the end zone. He returned to practice.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CB Kristian Fulton returns to Chiefs practice
The Chiefs have gotten one of their players back on the field. Via multiple reporters on the scene, cornerback Kristian Fulton is participating in Thursday's practice, which means he has been taken off the active/physically unable to perform list. Fulton, 26, signed with the Chiefs in the offseason as a free agent. He underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee and has been rehabbing to this point in training camp. A second-round pick in the 2020 draft, Fulton has appeared in 57 games with 51 starts for the Titans and Chargers. He recorded seven passes defensed with one interception for Los Angeles last season.
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs scouting report: Colorado Buffaloes CB DJ McKinney
The Kansas City Chiefs strengthened their secondary by signing Kristian Fulton in free agency and bumping All-Pro Trent McDuffie back to his natural role in the nickel. The combination of Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams and Nohl Williams offers serviceable play at the other outside cornerback role, but the team should investigate potential upgrades in the 2026 NFL draft. Colorado Buffaloes legend Travis Hunter overshadowed many of his teammates in the secondary last season, including DJ McKinney. Hidden behind Hunter's once-in-a-generation Heisman Trophy campaign, McKinney performed at the level of a top 50 pick and might even elevate beyond that point if his game takes another step in 2025. McKinney is a wiry cornerback who lacks ideal mass, but his arm length should meet the league's thresholds. He excels in soft-shoe press in Cover 1 and Cover 3. McKinney's lack of play strength shows up in failed jams, but he drives outside releases into the sideline. His agility, foot quickness and speed help him make quick adjustments and remain attached to receivers in man coverage. McKinney gets in phase at the line of scrimmage and remains on the wide receiver's hip throughout the route. His poised approach shows no fear or panic as he effortlessly gears up and down to match the receiver's tempo. McKinney's explosiveness and long speed show up when he faces fades or posts. He allows little to no separation downfield and uses his acceleration to recover when initially beaten off the line. McKinney's football IQ helps him quickly identify and attack wide receiver screens. His quick processing and natural feel for spacing are evident in his approach to layered route concepts in zone coverage. McKinney recognizes intended targets in zone and quickly triggers downhill to undercut routes for potential interceptions. McKinney's ball production doesn't stand out. He rakes the receiver's hands at the catch point to break up passes but needs to improve his ball tracking and timing at the catch point to generate more turnovers. Overall, McKinney is an athletic, sticky man coverage corner with the advanced mental elements of the game to also excel in zone coverage. These skills make him a scheme diverse threat who could serve as a team's second-best outside cornerback early in his career.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Struggling Chiefs Rookie Finally Impresses at Mandatory Minicamp
Struggling Chiefs Rookie Finally Impresses at Mandatory Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs addressed some much-needed secondary depth in the 2025 NFL Draft with the third-round selection of Cal cornerback Nohl Williams. Advertisement Williams struggled a bit during rookie minicamp and OTAs, but finally might've caught his stride during this week's mandatory minicamp. On Tuesday, the first day of mandatory minicamp, Williams made a circuslike leaping interception during team drills that caught the attention of his teammates and coaches. That's good news, as Williams will most likely be expected to play the third or fourth cornerback during his rookie season behind Trent McDuffie and Kristian Fulton, as he'll compete for playing time with veteran Jaylen Watson. Chiefs' director of player personnel Mike Bradway, was high on Williams before the draft. Advertisement "He can come in and contribute right away. We have a lot of good players in the room. I think his special teams, the value there is obviously where he can probably make an impact early," Bradway said. "I think just with his experience, his résumé, I think he's probably more ready than a lot of corners you might take in that range.'' Across five seasons of college football – three at UNLV and two at Cal, Williams had 203 total tackles with 134 solo and four for loss and 14 interceptions with one pick-6. He added nine passes defended. During his final season at Cal in 2024, he posted seven interceptions while making All-American in the ACC. At the very least, Williams will be expected to help out on special teams on a regular basis, but for a third-round pick, the Chiefs hope he can crack the starting lineup on defense as a rookie. Advertisement Related: Mahomes Issues Take On Kelce's Major Chiefs Move Related: Chiefs Star Tight End Travis Kelce Focuses on 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
