While most of the athletes who participated in the Kansas City Chiefs’ local pro day on Monday are longshots to make an NFL roster, a few of them are expected to be drafted later this month.
Among the top prospects was Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish, who could be one of the first to come off the board. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Parrish as the 67th overall prospect in his 2025 draft guide.
Background
Parrish might already be familiar to fans. A native of Olathe North High School, he joined Kansas State in 2022 as a three-star recruit. Over the last two seasons, he started 24 games for the Wildcats, recording 102 tackles, five interceptions, five tackles for loss, and half a sack.
Following the season, Parrish earned an invite to the Senior Bowl. At the NFL Combine, he impressed with a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash and a 37.5-inch vertical. That athleticism has helped him rise up draft boards — despite being just under 5’10”.
Film Review
Elite college cornerbacks often see fewer passes thrown their way, and that was the case for Parrish in 2024. Opposing offenses frequently avoided his side of the field.
In one example, Parrish lines up outside and sees a pass come his way, but the receiver is aligned so wide that the play poses little threat.
To thrive in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system in Kansas City, corners must be tough against the run — even smaller ones like Parrish.
In footage against Arizona, Parrish shows no fear. On one play, he quickly diagnoses that a motioning receiver is a decoy and closes in to help bring down Arizona’s powerful running back Cam Skattebo — a possible Day 2 draft pick — for a short gain.
Though he played mainly on the outside in college, Parrish will likely start his NFL career as a slot corner due to his size. That role could give him more blitzing opportunities than he had at Kansas State.
As one clip shows, Parrish needs to improve at disguising his blitzes, but his raw speed is evident when he attacks the quarterback.
He does occasionally struggle against bigger receivers. In one play, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, who’s 6’1″, out-jumps him for a catch. Plays like that highlight a concern for Parrish at the pro level, where receivers are often taller — although his solid tackling ability stands out even when he gives up completions.
The best role for him may be as a slot defender, where his technique and coverage skills can shine — much like how the Chiefs have utilized Trent McDuffie.
Parrish’s aggressive coverage style can draw penalties, which isn’t uncommon for undersized corners battling taller opponents. He was flagged four times last season, including once in a contested call against Tyson. That kind of play style might always draw scrutiny from officials.
Final Thoughts
Parrish could be selected before Day 2 ends and has the tools for a strong, lasting NFL career. Still, his fit in Kansas City’s current cornerback group is a bit of a question mark.
The Chiefs added former Chargers DB Kristian Fulton this offseason to help on the outside, allowing McDuffie to stay in the slot — where he excels. Although McDuffie can also play outside, he struggled at times against taller receivers after Jaylen Watson’s injury. At an even smaller size, Parrish might face similar issues.
Still, injuries to Watson and Fulton — who have missed a combined 19 games over the last two seasons — mean cornerback remains a need. The Chiefs may prioritize a boundary corner in the draft, especially since Chamarri Conner and Christian Roland-Wallace, two returning players, also play inside and could backfill McDuffie’s role if needed.
That said, the Chiefs have shown a pattern of drafting the best talent available, even when it doesn’t fill an immediate need — as seen with picks like linebacker Leo Chenal and safety Jaden Hicks. If Parrish is still available in the late third or fourth round, Kansas City may take a chance on his talent regardless of positional redundancy.
