Can Kristian Fulton Save the Chiefs' Struggling Secondary?
When Kristian Fulton was signed in the offseason, it was with the intent that he would be a critical piece of the Chiefs' secondary. He plays a position of need that was hit hard by injuries in 2024, ideally filling a necessary void opposite Trent McDuffie, especially since Jaylen Watson was recovering from a broken fibula suffered in Week 7 of 2024. However, when Fulton arrived, he was recovering from an offseason procedure that limited his availability. He then suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and has been hindered since.
His injury has proven to have a trickle-down effect on the entire Chiefs secondary. Today’s NFL is mostly played in sub-packages; therefore, there are at least five defensive backs on the field most of the time. Fulton’s injury has highlighted both the good and bad parts of the Chiefs' secondary.
Nohl Williams has played exceptionally well when given the opportunity—in fact, he’s been one of the highest-graded cornerbacks in the NFL. However, his opportunities have been few and far between as of late. In Monday’s game against the Jaguars, he interestingly only played four snaps.
Kristian Fulton is going to have to work his way back into a crowded cornerback room.
This has forced the Chiefs to play Chamarri Conner in the nickel slot more than they would likely prefer. Coverage is not his specialty, and it has cost the Chiefs in multiple games. He’s given up many big plays, including a critical pass interference penalty in the end zone against the Jaguars that not only negated an interception that would have sealed the win but also put the Jaguars on the goal line. From there, Trevor Lawrence ran it in for the game-winning touchdown. Conner just hasn’t been good in coverage situations.
So, where does this leave Kristian Fulton? So far, he’s only played 17 snaps on the season. In spite of this, I believe a role for him still exists, provided he is healthy and ready to contribute. Speed and quickness have always been a big part of his game; he’s someone who has excelled in the short-to-intermediate area due to his short-area quickness and his ability to close separation. Having his legs healthy is critical before putting him out on the field.
However, if he’s healthy, he should immediately provide depth and at least have a role in sub-packages for starters. Jaylen Watson has played some on the outside in sub-packages, as has Nohl Williams. Both are bigger corners whose physical presence matches up well outside. Fulton could provide some needed depth in sub-packages, perhaps as the fourth corner, providing some critical snaps in that role. Ultimately, everything is contingent on his health. Whatever the case, the Chiefs need this unit to get healthy and play better.
Browns’ OC Tommy Rees Shares Plans for New OT Cam Robinson After Limited Debut
The Cleveland Browns have been very busy on the trade market over the past couple of weeks, as they have swung three separate deals recently that have shaken up their roster. The first of that bunch saw them acquire offensive lineman Cam Robinson and a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft from the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 draft.
With Dawand Jones suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 3, the Browns needed some more help at left tackle, which prompted them to make a move for the veteran Robinson. After playing sparingly in his first game with his new team, though, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees opened up on what Robinson’s role with Cleveland will be moving forward.
Tommy Rees Dishes on Cam Robinson
In addition to trading for Robinson, the Browns have also sent Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals after he was benched in favor of Dillon Gabriel and acquired Tyson Campbell from the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Greg Newsome II going the other way. Of these three moves, though, Robinson’s could end up being the most important given the team’s need for help at left tackle.
Even though Robinson turned in one of the best seasons of his career last year, this is his fourth team in the past 12 months. Robinson started the 2024 campaign with the Jaguars before getting traded to the Minnesota Vikings. In free agency over the offseason, Robinson signed with the Texans, but he quickly lost his starting job at left tackle, leading to him getting sent to the Browns.
Robinson started Cleveland’s first offensive series in its Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings before KT Leveston took over for him, which led to questions about Robinson’s role with the team moving forward. Rees refused to commit to Robinson as the team’s starter at left tackle in Week 6, but it sounds like his role should be expected to increase moving forward.
“Hard week for Cam. You come here and then all of a sudden, you’re going to Europe,” Rees said on Thursday. “We felt like he did a nice job during the week. We had a plan going into the game, get his feet wet a little bit, see how it continues to go. and evaluate him from there. He did a nice job for us a week ago getting ready to play, and we’ll continue to build on that.”
Will Cam Robinson Start for the Browns in Week 6?
It remains to be seen whether or not Robinson will start in Week 6, but the situation has been made a bit more complicated due to Leveston dealing with a calf injury that has limited him at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. With Robinson not being on the injury report, could that lead to Cleveland taking the training wheels off for him sooner than expected?
The Browns draw a tough matchup in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with their longtime division rival featuring a strong pass rush led by T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. If Cleveland’s offensive line doesn’t hold up, it could be a long day for Gabriel under center in this one. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, and fans will be paying close attention to Robinson to see how much he plays after his limited debut in Week 5.
