The Kansas City Chiefs are back at it in free agency.
After a quiet last few days, the Chiefs have addressed one of their top roster needs by signing free agent cornerback Kader Kohou, per a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Kohou joins running back Kenneth Walker III, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, and safety Alohi Gilman as the Chiefs’ 2026 free agent signings so far. When they traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams and Jaylen Watson also left for the Rams, the Chiefs were suddenly very thin at cornerback. They needed one who specialized in playing in the slot specifically, as their current top two cornerbacks – Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton – play mostly outside on the boundary.
Kansas City Chiefs Add Quality Depth to Cornerback Group With Kader Kohou Signing
Kohou entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2022. He not only made the 53-man roster, but had an excellent rookie season with 72 total tackles (a career high), 10 passes defended, one interception, and one forced fumble. Since then he has established himself as one of the better slot cornerbacks in the league.
Kohou re-signed with the Dolphins ahead of the 2025 season, but unfortunately never took the field for them as he tore his ACL during training camp. The positive outlook on that is it happened early, and he could be fully recovered with no restrictions by the time 2026 training camp begins.
The Chiefs are not likely finished adding to the cornerback room, but now have a nice trio to start with in Williams, Fulton, and Kohou. Others that they have on the roster include Melvin Smith JR. and Kevin Knowles. Chamarri Conner and Chris Roland-Wallace are also in the mix as cornerback/safety hybrids that have often played in the slot.
Examining the Chiefs’ Remaining Needs on Defense
GettyKansas City Chiefs defensive linemen George Karlaftis and Chris Jones
Defensive end is now by far Kansas City’s most glaring remaining need defensively. George Karlaftis will be one of the two starters at the position after signing a four-year contract extension last offseason, but his sack total has declined each of the last two years.
Karlaftis needs a strong starter opposite of him, and the Chiefs need quality depth at the position. Kansas City released Mike Danna for salary cap savings, and Charles Omenihu and Malik Herring have both signed with new teams. Second year defensive end Ashton Gillotte will be in the mix after winning the team’s Mack Lee Hill Rookie of the Year award last season.
The Chiefs ranked 25th in the NFL in sacks last season with just 35. There are still some quality pass rushers available in free agency, such as Cameron Jordan, Haason Reddick, and Jadeveon Clowney. They will almost certainly grab one with one of their four picks in the top 100 of the 2026 NFL Draft, which could include Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, Zion Young, or Keldric Faulk.
Kansas City has nine selections overall, and will likely end up taking multiple pass rushers when it’s all said and done. Beefing up at defensive end will complement the defensive tackles, which should be improved in 2026 with second year man Omarr Norman-Lott returning from a torn ACL and the addition of Tonga. If the Chiefs hit on a defensive end acquisition, that player along with Karlaftis and Chris Jones will make for a nice pass rushing trio.
Chiefs Address Huge Position of Need With Latest Free Agent Signing