This Kansas City Chiefs rookie had highlight from Friday’s practice: ‘I feel back’

Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Kamal Hadden reacted quickly to step in front of receiver Phillip Brooks, deflecting a pass that eventually went linebacker Swayze Bozeman for an interception.

This was during 7-on-7 drills at Friday’s rookie training camp practice, and it gave just a glimpse of what the Chiefs’ sixth-round pick Hadden might be able to provide in the future.

“I read my keys and did what I was supposed to do,” Hadden said. “And, you know, the play happened.”

With Hadden yelling out his satisfaction afterward.

His “Let’s go!” scream echoed across the Missouri Western practice fields, while Hadden flexed both arms toward the ground after correctly diagnosing the play.

It’s the type of strength he’s shown previously, too. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, in giving Hadden a sixth-round projection before April’s draft, said that he “anticipates route breaks with timing and steams in to break up throws.”

Hadden, a 6-1, 192-pound cornerback out of Tennessee, will be in a crowded position group once full-squad training camp begins Sunday. The Chiefs return third-year defensive backs Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Nazeeh Johnson, while second-year pros Chamarri Conner and Nic Jones will also vie for playing time.

One early positive of camp, Hadden says, has been his health. He had season-ending shoulder surgery at Tennessee in late October last season and didn’t participate in athletic testing at the NFL Combine.

As for now, Hadden reported his status this way: “I feel back.”

“I feel like I’m faster. I feel like I’m stronger. And mainly, I feel like I’m smarter,” Hadden said. “The game took me out, but it helped me grow mentally. It helped me grow as a man and as a player.”

Hadden said he’s worked out often this offseason with Jones, the Chiefs’ seventh-round pick from 2023. Both men grew up in Michigan.

During those sessions, Hadden also sought help from Jones with the playbook.

“I’ve learned a lot, man,” Hadden said. “Pretty much they throw everything at you. So you’ve gotta learn everything, learn as much as you can and just keep working, keep your head in the books.”

For part of Friday’s practice, Hadden lined up as an inside defensive back — an assignment he rarely had in college. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, only eight of Hadden’s 311 pass defense snaps last season were as a slot defender.

The new role didn’t keep Hadden from making an impact — with his instincts helping him create a turnover.

“I’m hoping to play anywhere and learn anything,” Hadden said, “that allows me to help this team and help this organization.”