Chiefs 2023 Schedule: Ranking Opposing Cornerbacks

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The Kansas City Chiefs face numerous star-studded opponents in 2023. As a defending Super Bowl champion and 2022 division winner, you would expect to see them face plenty of top teams. More importantly, there are a plethora of tremendous one-on-one matchups to circle among individual players on the Chiefs schedule. Kansas City boasts one of the most exciting rosters in the league. Though, this is a perfect time to look into some of the best players that the Chiefs will face from opposing teams.

Over the next few weeks, we will be ranking different position groups that Kansas City will do battle with in 2023. We will start with the defensive side of the ball and work our way to the offensive side eventually. Overall, the opposing quarterbacks on the Chiefs 2023 schedule will be the final item that we will individually rank from this series.

Today, our focus will land on opposing cornerbacks. The Kansas City Chiefs may not have the best pass catching group in the NFL. Yet, this is a group of wide receivers and tight ends that are likely better than most people think. Who are the top cornerbacks that they will face? Here is our top ten rankings of opposing cornerbacks on the Chiefs 2023 schedule. Let’s kick it off, starting with number one.

1. Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills

Obviously, there are many amazing opposing cornerbacks on the Chiefs 2023 schedule. It was very challenging to lock in who ultimately sat in this number one spot. In the end, Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills was the choice. Even with injuries in the last couple of years, White has still been a constant thorn in everyone’s side. Quarterbacks are tasked with beating his nose for the football and elite timing at the catch point. Meanwhile, opposing pass catchers are left battling with his physical and tenacious coverage.

White is a crucial leader for this Buffalo defense. As a result, his instincts and read and react ability are some of his best traits. Certainly, those are items that will not show up for people that are just scanning box score stats. Some numbers to be aware of, despite the time he has missed, Tre’Davious White has only allowed 57 percent or fewer of passes to be completed against him. Before his injury in 2021, the completion percentage allowed on targets was just 51.6 percent. Elsewhere, White only allowed 54.5 percent of passes to be completed against him last year after returning from his absence.

2. Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles

Darius Slay is arguably on one of the most consistent runs of any veteran cornerback that is currently in the NFL. Slay was continually improving during his seven seasons with the Detroit Lions. But, you could argue that his three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles have been some of the best years of his career. This defender has been incredibly dependable in clutch situations with the game on the line. In today’s pass-happy NFL, that is simply rare for any cornerback to accomplish.

Entering his age-32 season, Slay looks to be the smoothest and crispest that he has been in coverage. As for his man coverage skills, the Mississippi State product displays an urgent attack, while remaining clean at the catch point. He is aggressive when attacking the football, but under control to where he avoids any penalties. This player has aged like fine wine inside of one of the league’s best defenses.

3. Sauce Gardner, New York Jets

The 2022 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, Sauce Gardner, immediately made an impact for the New York Jets last year. On top of his contributions, New York broke out as a defense, creating one of the most well-rounded Jets defenses in quite some time. Sauce absolutely eliminated an entire side of the field throughout his rookie season. And for the most part, Gardner looked comfortable and confident from the beginning.

His ball production was insane in 2022. In the end, Gardner finished with 20 pass breakups and two interceptions. He was quietly successful as a defender in run support, to boot. He only allowed 53.5 percent of passes to be completed against him. Quite frankly, teams are likely looking to find a cornerback built with the size and length, along with the movement skills, of Sauce Gardner. He just dissolves any sort of separation that pass catchers are looking to gain. And Gardner does that swiftly.

4. Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Among younger cornerbacks, Patrick Surtain II has quickly risen up the ranks. There was always potential that this defender could be a top defensive back for the Broncos. Yet, seeing him grow into a star for Denver was not necessarily envisioned, at least not this quickly. Surtain II is rarely, if ever, caught off guard by opposing receivers. His recognition of double moves or receivers attacking leverage is something that he covers up with a smooth and savvy style.

Now entering his third year, Surtain II has already produced adequately in ball production. He has already secured 24 pass breakups and six interceptions in his first two years. With another jump in that area, Surtain II could finally begin to earn the national respect that he deserves. From Denver’s perspective, this is the perfect style of cornerback to have in the high-flying AFC West division.

5. Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

It was difficult to put Jaire Alexander outside of the top three. Though, the combined rise of Gardner and Surtain II, along with the up-and-down play of the Packers defense drops him to five. Alexander has always relied on physicality and getting inside of the opponent’s head. Last year, it seemed like he was the cornerback doing the most trash talking around the entire NFL.

That confidence and fire was completely necessary for a Green Bay secondary that took a step back in 2022. If they are able to rebound in 2023, it will likely be due to the leadership of Alexander. His ability to lead by his actions and possible stops in critical situations is where the Packers need him most this upcoming season.

6. Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

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Once again, there are many good cornerbacks on the Chiefs 2023 schedule. Therefore, Xavien Howard is here at six, despite consistently playing as one of the more underappreciated cornerbacks in the league. Howard has been a menace, when it comes to ball production. He has led the NFL in interceptions for a single season twice (seven interceptions in 2018, 10 interceptions in 2020). Since his rookie year in 2016, Howard leads the league in interceptions with 28. Safeties Justin Simmons and Kevin Byard are just behind him in that time frame, with 27 interceptions.

As far as underrated aspects of Howard’s game, this cornerback is sneaky with his speed when working step for step with a receiver down the field. That is definitely impressive, given his stout size. Moreover, Howard is able to jump routes with his change of direction skills and rapid transitions.

7. James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles

James Bradberry was starting to become somewhat of an afterthought on the New York Giants a few years ago. After a hot start to his career in Carolina, Bradberry was seemingly stuck in neutral on a struggling Giants team. But near the end of his run in New York, the Samford product began to frustrate opposing receivers. When it comes to veteran cornerbacks, Bradberry has been able to learn lessons immediately and give a major boost to his team.

In his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, Bradberry stepped up to the plate time and time again. With some quarterbacks not wanting to test the aforementioned Slay, this cornerback was able to receive playmaking opportunities early and often. Interestingly, James Bradberry has 99 career pass breakups, recording double-digit PBUs in every season of his career. His 18 interceptions in seven years display a reliable player, no matter how often he has dealt with adversity in major moments.

8. Mike Hilton, Cincinnati Bengals

Slot cornerbacks needed to be valued way more than what they are given credit for. For a lengthy stretch, Mike Hilton has been a unique weapon as a slot defender. First in Pittsburgh, Hilton was just as dangerous as a blitzer and run defender in space, as he was in coverage. The Steelers were obviously disappointed to lose him going into 2021. Not to mention, they lost him to a division rival in the Cincinnati Bengals.

In Cincinnati, Hilton has seemingly been dealt more one-on-one matchups in coverage. He has not shied away from a single one of those. Whether he is dealing with a larger pass catcher or a shiftier wide receiver, Hilton has proved to be pest-like defensive back. He is not afraid to get in somebody’s face. He is able to flash impressive athleticism when working laterally. Finally, Hilton is constantly able to bait pass catchers and quarterbacks into wrong decisions.

9. Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins

Jalen Ramsey is still among the best cornerbacks in the league, especially for ball skills and taking chances on passes over the middle. Yet, you can see the slight regression and decline of Ramsey over the last couple of seasons. Was some of that due to his play style? Or, was that largely due to the way in which he was counted on inside of a top-heavy Los Angeles Rams defense?

Perhaps, a change of scenery to Miami is something that can rejuvenate his overall results. The Dolphins boast a unique, versatile defensive core. That could lead to more basic chances at attacking the football for Ramsey. Either way, this player can still be a pain for opposing quarterbacks when you least expect it.

10. Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Listing the final player for this list of top ten cornerbacks on the Chiefs 2023 schedule was incredibly trying. It came down to two younger cornerbacks. Asante Samuel Jr. of the Los Angeles Chargers just missed the cut. But overall, Tyson Campbell has quietly been steady on a rising team in Jacksonville.

Campbell has been productive for the Jaguars from the moment he started as a rookie in 2021. In two seasons, Campbell has tallied 25 pass breakups and five interceptions. The Georgia product offers a stingy play style, becoming a player that you just cannot shake off or completely get away from. Campbell can be physical if he wants to be. Though, his smoothness in coverage and rapid transitions make him a fun sleeper to keep in mind throughout the entire NFL at his cornerback position.

Be on the lookout for more of our rankings of the opposing players on the Chiefs 2023 schedule. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.