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Former Chiefs draft pick Cornell Powell is proving something in the UFL that he never had a chance to prove in Kansas City

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated May 28, 2025 4:00 PM ET

A former Kansas City Chiefs draft pick is thriving in the UFL with the D.C. Defenders, proving himself in a way he never had an opportunity to in Kansas City.

A pick out of Clemson in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Cornell Powell played in Kansas City for just three seasons. He became a two-time Super Bowl champion with wins in 2022 and 2023. He spent a brief stint on the Chiefs' practice squad during the 2024 NFL season before signing briefly with the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad to end the year.

That experience led him to land a job in the UFL with the D.C. Defenders, where he's teamed up with former Chiefs quarterback Jordan Ta'amu to form one of the most dynamic QB-WR duos in the league.

Former Chiefs WR Cornell Powell is currently one of UFL's regular-season receiving leaders

With just seven starts and nine games played for the D.C. Defenders, Powell has made his mark in the UFL. He's been targeted 57 times, the fourth-most of any player in the league. He only has 29 receptions (51% completion percentage), but with those receptions, he's recorded a league-leading seven touchdown grabs and 418 yards (7th).

Powell will have a chance to add to those numbers in Week 10, with a Friday night tilt between the Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks. This comes after a two-touchdown performance against the Houston Renegades just last week. The matchup between the Defenders and Battlehawks previews the upcoming XFL Conference Championship Game, which will also be played between the Defenders and Battlehawks.

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In Kansas City, Powell never received much in the way of in-game opportunities. He appeared in just three career games with the Chiefs in 2022, playing just three offensive snaps. That's hardly an opportunity to prove yourself as an NFL player.

Powell's NFL experience mainly came during the preseason or on the practice squad, working with the scout team offense. In 2023, for example, he had an impressive preseason Week 1 performance against the New Orleans Saints, with three receptions for 42 yards. For reasons unbeknownst, Powell never had a chance to showcase his talents on an NFL stage. His performance with the Defenders suggests that he'll be in an NFL training camp after the 2025 UFL season concludes.

Should the Chiefs bring WR Cornell Powell back after the 2025 UFL season?

In this humble writer's opinion, bringing Powell back in some capacity would be a no-brainer. Even having him in the building for training camp will raise the level of competition and make others better in Kansas City. He knows the system and can teach the newcomers, but also challenge defenders at all roster levels.

On the other hand, it might not be the best move for Powell from a career standpoint. The Chiefs' wide receiver room is as competitive as ever before, and there's a reason he never saw much opportunity in Kansas City. If he's looking for a chance to stick in the NFL, there are far better opportunities out there for him to consider with wide receiver-needy teams, where he'll have a chance to do more than compete, but rather contribute.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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