Finished scouting Colorado CB DJ McKinney and came away really impressed.
🧠Innate feel for space and routes in zone
⚡️Super quick trigger vs the run
🛑Dependable open field tackler
Some room to clean up technique in press and add a little more mass. My CB2 so far pic.twitter.com/PXZA6i0A5K
— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) June 5, 2025
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.