Now that the offseason is underway and free agency begins in less than a month, the Chiefs can look into trades that will save cap and add talent to the Super Bowl Champs.
In this article, five potential trade targets will be mentioned. These are very much “what if” trades, but are still possibilities with Brett Veach’s abilities at General Manager.
Patrick Peterson
Peterson’s name has been linked to the Chiefs the past few years, but this one of the Cardinals last chances to trade him. Last year, Peterson missed nearly half the season due to a failed PED test. Peterson is entering the final year of his contract and is due over $12 million this upcoming season. The Cardinals are probably not looking to lock him up in a long-term deal as a rebuilding team.
The Chiefs are in the market for a cornerback as Bashaud Breeland and Kendall Fuller are both free agents this year. Adding Peterson would be huge for the defense as he has played with Chiefs star safety, Tyrann Mathieu, meaning chemistry is already built. Peterson also adds veteran leadership for a young group of corners, highlighted by Charvarious Ward and Rashad Fenton.
The Cardinals will have to pay some of the money owed to Peterson if they were to trade him. Not many teams would be willing to give up draft capital and over $12 million for a player that is looking like a one year player, contending for a ring.
Stefon Diggs
The Vikings wide receiver seems very unhappy in Minnesota, and if he wants out, the Vikings should do it now. With the loaded wide receiver class in the draft this year, the Vikings can use draft picks to rebuild the receiver position and will have a healthy Adam Thielen back next year.
The Chiefs have some question marks at the receiver spot this offseason. Demarcus Robinson is a free agent and is most likely leaving to go have a chance as a No. 2 receiver with his size and playmaking ability. Then there’s Sammy Watkins. He is owed $16 million next year and if the Chiefs were to cut or trade Watkins, they save $14 million that can be used to lock up star defensive tackle, Chris Jones.
The only scenario where the thought of trading for Diggs comes in is if the Chiefs release Watkins and let Robinson walk. If that happens, the Chiefs could look to add the 26-year-old receiver to replenish the position.
Darius Slay
The Detriot Lions have made star cornerback Darius Slay available on the market.
Slay, 28, has become one of the best coverage corners in the league over his career. He is a two time pro-bowler, and was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2017. The Georgia native was a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout his career, Slay has 18 interceptions and 94 pass deflections. This past season, he recorded 16 tackles, three pass deflections, and an interception.
The 2020 season is the final year of a four year deal he signed in July of 2016. If the Lions were to get their demands met by a team, they would have to resign Slay to a new contract.
The Chiefs have been mentioned as a team who is interested in trading for Slay. The money makes it a tough situation, but if the Chiefs were to trade for Slay, it would address the corner position that could lose two of its starters from this past year.
A.J. Bouye
The Jaguars starting cornerback has had the two worst seasons of his career the past two years. With his $15.4 million cap hit this season, the Jaguars may look to trade him.
After a fantastic 2017 campaign that saw him have 6 interceptions and 18 pass deflections, Bouye has combined for 2 interceptions and 16 pass deflections the past two years.
With his struggles, the Jaguars may look to move on and trend towards a rebuild. In order to trade Bouye, the Jaguars may need to pay some of his $13.5 million dollar salary next year. For a corner that has proved to be dominant and can resurface with a change of scenery, the salary is not that bad.
Like I have mentioned numerous times, the Chiefs are in limbo at the corner position. It is likely that Kendall Fuller is gone and gets good money somewhere else. Bashaud Breeland is coming off a solid campaign and might attract money elsewhere, leaving the Chiefs with Rashad Fenton and Charvarious Ward. Adding a veteran, like Bouye would help develop the youth at the position and lead the defense as a whole.
Raekwon McMillan
The linebacker position for the Chiefs needs help this offseason. The Chiefs can look to the draft to add one, but one name that could be on the move is Miami dolphins linebacker, Raekwon McMillan.
McMillan, 24, was a part of the group that wanted to be traded during the 2019 season but ended up staying in Miami. During his 2019 campaign, McMillan tallied 72 tackles and 1 pass deflection in 12 games.
McMillan is young and can be a cheap add for the Chiefs, who have Reggie Ragland heading to free agency. McMillian’s salary this year is just over $1.1 million, which would be perfect for the Chiefs as they are low on cap space and want to sign Chris Jones long-term.
It would not be easy to acquire the former Ohio State Buckeye, but if it can be done, the Chiefs address one of their biggest needs this offseason.
These 5 players are not guaranteed to be traded, but under the right situation for both teams, a deal could be struck. There are strict situations where the Chiefs can afford the contracts of some of these players, but expect Brett Veach to be active this offseason.
