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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 28: Chamarri Conner #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Amy Kontras/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to get major contributions from their 2026 NFL Draft class this upcoming season.

Their first four picks were all defensive players, each of which will have the opportunity to have significant roles as rookies.

Every new draft class provides competition for veteran players. If they don’t stay sharp, their jobs could be taken by the young guys.

Kansas City Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner ‘on the Hot Seat’ in 2026

ESPN analyst Ben Solak made a list of veterans whose current role with their team could be in jeopardy due to the incoming rookies. Here’s what he had to say about Conner, who has been an inconsistent player for the Chiefs since entering the league in 2023.

“The Chiefs’ penchant for developing defensive backs from outside the first round is well known (Juan Thornhill, Jaylen Watson, L’Jarius Sneed, Bryan Cook). They’ve tried to do the same in the slot over the past few seasons with Conner, a 2023 fourth-rounder out of Virginia Tech who became the starter in 2024 when Trent McDuffie bumped outside. But over the past two seasons, Conner has surrendered 0.11 EPA per target in the slot (11th worst among DBs with at least 50 slot targets) and a success rate of 53.8% — only 2025 rookie Jacob Parrish was worse.”

Solak went on to say Conner has some tough competition for the nickelback role in 2026.

“Conner simply does not make enough plays at the catch point to play a permanent coverage role. Enter Jadon Canady. Like Conner, Canady is a fourth-round pick who spent time at safety in the college ranks. But his best play was in the slot, where he finished his career at Oregon. Canady had 19 passes defensed combined over his last two years and will — along with free agent signing Kader Kohou — immediately challenge for the slot job.”

Most of Conner’s struggles have come while playing nickel. However, when he is able to play safety, Conner has been effective. He could challenge Jaden Hicks, who didn’t take much of a step forward last season, for a starting safety role opposite Alohi Gilman in 2026. Conner has one year remaining on his contract with the Chiefs.

How Will Chiefs Utilize Their DBs in 2026?

As mentioned above, you can pencil in Gilman as a starting safety, with Hicks and Conner likely to battle it out for the other starting spot. Chris Roland-Wallace and Canady will also potentially be in the mix, along with a few undrafted free agents.

Canady and Kader Kohou, who Kansas City signed during free agent, appear poised to share time at nickel. Kohou may have an advantage being a veteran, and he was playing at a high level before tearing his ACL last year, which cost him the entire 2025 season.

The Chiefs’ two starting outside cornerbacks are projected to be first-round pick Mansoor Delane and second-year player Nohl Williams. In a rotational role last season, Williams showed flashes of brilliance. Delane was the consensus best cornerback in this year’s draft. Veteran Kristian Fulton should be the next man up behind them. Others who will battle for depth at the position include Kaiir Elam, Kevin Knowles, and Bryce Phillips.