Reggie Ragland trade: The ups and downs for the Chiefs
By Matt Conner
Fans are, far and away, feeling very positive about this trade and for good reason. Ragland was a highly regarded prospect coming out of college at Alabama, a hard-hitting tackler noted for his work ethic and leadership. Many fans wanted the Chiefs to think about selecting Ragland in the first round last year (instead they slipped back into the second round and took defensive lineman Chris Jones).
Ragland doesn’t have sideline to sideline speed and that will be even more true coming off of a torn ACL in 2016. However, he’s a strong run defender, an old-school thumper, on a team that desperately needs an upgrade in the middle. The Chiefs run defense was very poor last season, but the additions of defensive tackles Roy Miller and Bennie Logan and the trade for Ragland dramatically shifts the Chiefs personnel on running downs.
Ragland won’t be the next Derrick Johnson. That’s not his skill set, at least not at this point. He’ll be a potential upgrade next to Johnson in the middle, a strong tackler who actually also brings an ability to rush the passer. Hopefully he can regain the athleticism lost during the injury and subsequent time away in rehab and the Chiefs’ coaching staff can take it from there.