Kansas City, Mo. ? The Chiefs have signed cornerback Chris Owens, who likely will take over the nickel position and provide depth behind starters Sean Smith and Brandon Flowers.

Kansas City waived defensive lineman Brandon Moore on Friday to make room for Owens, who spent last season with Miami and Cleveland after four seasons with the Falcons.

The 5-foot-9 Owens doesn’t fit the mold of big, physical cornerbacks preferred by Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid, but he does have the kind of speed and toughness that help him make up for his size.

The Chiefs were desperate for depth in the defensive backfield after they let free safety Kendrick Lewis go in free agency and parted ways with veteran Dunta Robinson.