The Kansas City Chiefs’ cornerback room looks completely different this season. And one NFL analyst thinks a veteran who barely played last year could be the key to making it all work.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell named Kristian Fulton to his All-Backup team, projecting a bounce-back year for the 27-year-old defensive back. This isn’t just a throwaway mention either. Barnwell went into some detail about why Fulton, despite a quiet 2025 season, is worth watching.
“We’re going to take a flier on Fulton, who was impressive under Jesse Minter with the Chargers in 2024 before earning a two-year, $20 million deal with the Chiefs in free agency,” Barnwell wrote. “Injuries cost him most of his debut season in Kansas City, though it never seemed that he persuaded defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to give him more significant playing time.”
Fulton only appeared in eight games last season. Knee and ankle issues kept him on the sideline for most of the year, and when he was active, Spagnuolo didn’t exactly clear out a spot for him in the rotation. But before that, Fulton was a reliable starter with the Titans and Chargers. Over 65 career games, he’s racked up 217 tackles, 38 passes defended, and five interceptions. That’s not star-level production, but it’s solid. And the Chiefs clearly saw something when they handed him that $20 million deal.
The new-look secondary
Kansas City went young this offseason. Rookie Mansoor Delane is expected to lead the group, with L’Jarius Sneed and Nohl Williams likely rounding out the top three. That leaves Fulton and former Dolphins starter Kader Kohou competing for snaps behind them.
Barnwell’s take is that Fulton has a real chance to carve out a role, especially if the Chiefs need a steady veteran presence in a room full of fresh faces. The team has not confirmed any specific plans for Fulton’s role, but the expectation from people who follow the league closely is that he’ll be ready when called.
Fulton’s first season in Kansas City was basically a write-off. But the Chiefs didn’t sign him to a two-year deal just to watch him sit. With the cornerback position undergoing such a dramatic overhaul, the team is counting on Fulton to provide depth and stability. Whether that means starting snaps or situational duty remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: if Fulton stays healthy, he’s got a real shot to make an impact. And Barnwell isn’t the only one watching.
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