The Kansas City Chiefs retain most of their cornerbacks for next year, but two become unrestricted free agents following the 2025 season. Kansas City should prepare for those eventual departures and the costly extension of Trent McDuffie by adding developmental corner depth in the 2025 NFL draft.
Iowa State Cyclones redshirt senior Darien Porter is a tall and lean corner with verified measurements from Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy that put him at 6’2 3/4″ and 192 lbs. He sports long arms that help him dominate at the catch point. This is Porter’s first season seeing significant defensive snaps, but he possesses the athletic tools and flashes to warrant a top-100 selection.
Porter ran a 46.99 400-meter dash in high school and won a state title in the 200-meter dash. That speed translates to the field. Even though his high hips cause some leggy transitions, Porter flashes the speed to carry receivers vertically out of press coverage. Wide receivers lack the speed to stack him on downfield routes or separate on crossers.
DP ‼️@DarienPorter10 with his third INT of the season!
📺 @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/8OhUgT5Xbk
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) November 2, 2024
Porter decelerates with his quick feet to match more complex routes but faces some limitations in man coverage because of his tall frame and high hips. He triggers downhill from zone coverage to attack short routes and reads the quarterback’s eyes to anticipate throwing lanes.
At worst, Porter offers impressive special teams versatility. He played more than 860 total special teams snaps across five different units in college and blocked a punt in four consecutive seasons.
The Cyclones plan to rebound from their first loss of the season when they go on the road to face Kansas at 2:30 p.m CST. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Jayhawks feature a talented trio of receivers to complement quarterback Jalon Daniels.
