The 2019 NFL draft is hours away and rumors on player availability are beginning to heat up. The Chiefs have already made one trade to acquire a player, could they perhaps be looking to add another difference-maker via trade? It’d be one way to announce to the league that they’re going all-in for a Super Bowl.
Let’s take a look at some of the players who could be available, and why it might make sense for the Chiefs to get on the horn and make a deal.
Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson
The relationship between the Cardinals and Peterson has soured. Last season, Peterson requested a trade from the team, and they assured him he was in their future plans. He withdrew his requests, but now something has changed.
Days ago Peterson went on a social media frenzy, deleting pieces of his profiles that linked him to the Cardinals. It drew speculation that he might be traded, and false reports emerged that he had been traded to Kansas City.
The Chiefs needs for help in the secondary shouldn’t be understated. It was a huge weakness on the team in 2018, compounded by Bob Sutton’s poor scheme. The front office has made it clear that they’re looking to improve the defense into a unit that can help the team win games.
Thus far they’ve only added Bashaud Breeland and Keith Reaser at the corner position. It’s hardly a strong statement toward improving that unit. Trading for a Pro Bowl caliber player would go a long way toward improving that group.
Peterson is a corner with lockdown abilities, and he would effectively make one side of the field a no-fly-zone. He’s also played with Tyrann Mathieu in the past, so he’ll have some chemistry to work with in Kansas City.
If the price is right on a trade, this would certainly help the Chiefs toward their goals of a winning a Super Bowl.
Continue…
Jets LB Darron Lee
Lee is a player that has been subject of trade rumors for a good portion of this offseason. After they signed C.J. Mosley to a massive deal, he’s become expendable to the team. Lee was a no-show at the Jets voluntary workouts, and the expectation seems to be that he’ll be dealt.
Why would the Chiefs call about Lee? They’ve been clearly looking to add some competitive depth at the linebacker position, especially with a change to a 4-3 scheme. Lee’s a strong athlete and quite good in coverage. He can play a number of different spots in the Chiefs new scheme, which makes him quite valuable.
Lee only has one year remaining on his deal, and it’s a cheap year that would cost the Chiefs less than $2 million in cap space. He does also have a fifth year option attached to his contract as a former first-round pick.
It’s unclear what it would take in draft compensation to get a deal for Lee done, but the Chiefs should consider making a call on this one.
Continue…
49ers DL Solomon Thomas
The Chiefs should just trade for all of the defensive linemen this offseason! Yes, Thomas would make the third defensive lineman acquired by the Chiefs in trade this offseason, but the fit is really good in Kansas City.
At 6-3 and 280 pounds, he’s got great size to be an inside-outside player for the team. He can play base defensive end and reduce down to the interior on clear passing downs.
Thomas hasn’t been good compared to his No. 3 overall draft slot in 2017. The 49ers seem to be set on grabbing either Quinnen Williams or Nick Bosa, so there is little need to continue investing in a player that hasn’t panned out for them. It’s a boom-or-bust style trade.
From a financial perspective, Thomas is still on his rookie contract, which could be a barrier for the 49ers getting a deal done. He’s due over $7 million in cap space in each of the next two seasons. Teams will likely be able to acquire him for a Day 3 pick, given how much of a financial commitment they’ll incur.
The Chiefs have probably already had conversations about this player in talks centered around Dee Ford, who K.C. previously traded to the 49ers. It’s unclear if he’s someone they like or weren’t remotely interested in.
Go back…
