For the third straight season, the Kansas City Chiefs ’ have landed a single player on the Pro Football Focus “25 under 25” list .

2022 and 2023 preseason lists saw center Creed Humphrey see the honor, but since he will turn 25 in mid-June, he is no longer eligible for the list. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, Kansas City’s representative this year, will be only 23 when the season begins.

McDuffie was 10th on a list compiled by Zoltan Buday .

10. CB TRENT MCDUFFIE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

After starting his career as an outside cornerback, McDuffie moved inside toward the second half of his rookie season and played mostly in the slot in his second season when the Chiefs had more than two cornerbacks on the field. This move aligned with McDuffie becoming one of the best young cornerbacks in the league and one of the most versatile players at the position.

His 16 total pressures in 2023 led all cornerbacks by a wide margin, and he gave up just nine receiving yards on seven targets in the Super Bowl .

Takeaway

We had mentioned McDuffie as one of our snubs in last year’s reaction to the yearly listing ? and he proved us right: he played so well in 2023, he was named a first-team All-Pro. That made him undeniable for this year’s edition.

The two absentees who still stand out are 24-year-old linebacker Nick Bolton and 23-year-old defensive end George Karlaftis, two key components of Kansas City’s second consecutive Super Bowl win. I think it’s also worth mentioning the names of 24-year-old wide receiver Rashee Rice and 24-year-old safety Brian Cook (who is technically eligible by two days with his September 7 birthday).

Like Humphrey, offensive guard Trey Smith is set to turn 25 before the NFL season begins and is no longer eligible.

Only one other AFC West team had a player make the list ? the Denver Broncos ? with 24-year-old cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr.