Chiefs protect surprise cornerback as NFL trade vultures start circling

According to reports around the NFL, several teams are circling for a cornerback. Perhaps that explains one of the Kansas City Chiefs' most recent roster moves. The Chiefs promoted Kevin Knowles from the practice squad after Week 7's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The transaction isn't a notable one on the surface, but positionally speaking, it sent a signal to look beyond it toward the bigger picture. Knowles' elevation to the active roster was in concert with the placement of defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott on the team's injured reserve list. The rookie suffered a torn ACL against Las Vegas, but instead of replacing him with someone who plays the same role, the Chiefs rewarded Knowles, who happens to play a position of strength for K.C. That's not a knock on Knowles at all. The promising young cornerback was a darkhorse contender for an active roster spot out of training camp after putting together a strong preseason showing. The Chiefs liked Knowles as an instinctive special teams performer, and he wa