Chiefs' Kristian Fulton addition just unlocked a new role for Chamarri Conner

When an NFL team makes a new addition of some kind—a draft pick or a free agent signing—the move is always about far more than just the impact of that one player. Instead, it's about the domino effect put into place by that decision, since football is a team sport.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the domino effect is a vital point of discussion of the offseason signing of cornerback Kristian Fulton—for reasons that go far beyond Fulton's actual on-field abilities.

When the Chiefs inked Fulton to a two-year deal in March, they bolstered the secondary with a reliable new pass defender on the boundary. But it wasn't long before the conversation turned to those aforementioned dominoes—at least for one step further—with the discussion of what it meant for Trent McDuffie.

The good news is that the domino effect will help the Chiefs in more ways than just that.

Back to McDuffie for a second. As the Chiefs' most dominant player in the secondary, and one of the league's best overall corners, McDuffie is a star performer no matter where he plays for Steve Spagnuolo's defense. However, the presence of Fulton as a reliable boundary defender allows the Chiefs to move McDuffie inside on clear passing downs, a place where McDuffie is even more suffocating on opposing players.

The freedom to use McDuffie inside allows another domino to fall, one that is also beneficial to the Chiefs' pass defense, as Chamarri Conner will now be able to slide back to safety in an (assumed) full-time role.

Conner was an absolute menace in the 2024 postseason following a rookie campaign that was quite impressive despite being in a crowded young secondary. Conner is at his best when allowed to attack, and his limitations show up more often when tasked with greater coverage responsibilities. While he'll still back up McDuffie in the slot, it makes sense to shift Conner's role as well.

If Conner is allowed to stay more in his wheelhouse, a player whose physical playing style is far more suited to a box safety role, then he should blossom given his experience. Players who are given a greater range of responsibilities than they're naturally suited for are always having to make mental calculations that keep them from trusting their instincts. Conner should no longer be subject to such demands.

The Chiefs seem to realize this as well given the lack of moves at safety despite the departure of Justin Reid to the New Orleans Saints in free agency. The loss of Reid's production and leadership could be a big loss in the secondary, and Veach's only move was to bring in a familiar face in Mike Edwards along with a few undrafted free agents.

It feels like the Chiefs are counting on Conner to become an asset next to Jaden Hicks and Bryan Cook as a trio of bring young safeties all on their first contracts.

The signing of Fulton was not only a move to strengthen the secondary for a long season ahead, but the resulting effects fo the acquistion allow other pieces to move into place. That's good news for Chamarri Conner especially, even if so very few seems to be aware of it.