On the draft board: Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish has traits the Chiefs like

Could one of the players who participated in the team’s recent local pro day make it to Kansas City?

While many of those who attended the Kansas City Chiefs’ local pro day on Monday are longshots to make it to the NFL, several of the participating players will probably be selected during this month’s draft.

Among them, Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish might hear his name called first. In his 2025 draft guide, Dane Brugler of The Athletic has ranked him as the 67th-best prospect.

Here’s what to know about this former Wildcat.

Background

Parrish may be familiar to you. A product of Olathe North High School, he committed to Kansas State in 2022 as a three-star recruit. He started 24 games over the last two seasons in Manhattan, totaling 102 tackles and five interceptions. He was also credited with five tackles for loss and half a sack.

After the season, Parrish was invited to the Senior Bowl. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Parrish turned in an outstanding 4.35-second 40-yard dash. Two weeks before the draft, that speed (and a 37.5-inch vertical jump) has made him a hot name — even though he checked in a little under 5 feet 10.

Film evaluation

For any top college cornerback, the best testament to their talent is a scarcity of game film. This is true for Parrish. In 2024, much of the action against K-State’s defense was across the field from where he was aligned.

Here — while lined up outside — Parrish has a target come his way. But the receiver is shifted so far to the sideline that there is little danger of a completion.

Cornerbacks who want to play in Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit must be willing to do the dirty work in run support — even if they are undersized players like Parrish.

In these clips against Arizona’s much larger running back Cam Skattebo, Parrish is fearless. On the first play, he correctly determines that the receiver in motion is a decoy, allowing him to lunge forward to help stop Skattebo — a potential Day 2 pick — for minimal gain.

In college, Parrish saw plenty of action aligned outside. But because of his size, he’ll probably begin his NFL career in the slot — where he will get more chances as a free blitzer than he did at Kansas State.

As we see here, Parrish will need to disguise his intentions better. But his speed certainly shows when he is sent after the quarterback.

Occasionally, Parrish’s limitations show against bigger receivers.

In this play, Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson high-points the ball; there is no realistic way for Parrish to prevent the completion. Since Tyson is listed at 6 feet 1, that’s concerning; in the NFL, Parrish can expect to face multiple receivers who are even taller. But this play also shows his solid tackling.

So a smart team will primarily use his coverage ability (and fundamentals) from the slot — similar to how the Chiefs have used cornerback Trent McDuffie so successfully.

The physical coverage that Kansas City covets can sometimes lead to penalties — and last season, Parrish was flagged in coverage four times. This is not surprising. Smaller cornerbacks playing against bigger receivers are sometimes a magnet for penalties.

Whether or not the pass interference penalty on this later rep against Tyson was merited can be debated — but Parrish’s playing style (just like most of the Chiefs’ recent corners) will always be susceptible to aggressive officiating.

The bottom line

Parrish will likely hear his name called before the end of Day 2. He has a solid chance for a long, productive career. His fit on Kansas City’s current roster, however, would be curious.

This offseason, the Chiefs signed former Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Kristian Fulton to add a boundary presence. Presumably, Fulton’s acquisition was intended to allow McDuffie to stay in the slot, where he is one of the league’s best defenders.

Although McDuffie is a capable outside defender, we sometimes saw limitations against bigger outside receivers after Jaylen Watson was injured. Parrish — who is even shorter than McDuffie — may have more trouble working outside at the next level.

Still, over the last two seasons, Watson and Fulton have missed 19 games between them; cornerback should still be a need for Kansas City. Expect the team to target a player who profiles better as a boundary corner, since returning players Chamarri Conner and Christian Roland-Wallace have also played in the slot; they could provide a cushion for a short McDuffie absence.

The Chiefs have recently shown a willingness to draft for the best value — even when a player doesn’t fill an immediate need. Linebacker Leo Chenal and safety Jaden Hicks are prime examples of this phenomenon. If Parrish is still on the board late in the third or fourth round, the team could decide his talent trumps their other needs.