Reggie Ragland trade: The ups and downs for the Chiefs
By Matt Conner
While fans might be much more excited about this trade than those who are against it, the deal itself is not without its issues and it begins with the reason to make any deal at all.
It was only a couple days ago that Bills head coach Sean McDermott made public statements concerning Ragland’s roster status—specifically whether Ragland could even make the team’s final 53-man roster whatsoever.
It definitely makes sense to trade for Ragland if you believe that you don’t stand a chance to claim Ragland on waivers, but the price then comes into question. Usually if a player is not going to make the team, then the announced deal is for a future conditional draft choice or perhaps a swap of picks that gives one team a bit higher pick. In this instance, it would make sense for the Chiefs to trade a 5th or 6th round pick for Ragland and a 7th round choice.
For a recent example, see the 7th round pick the Jacksonville Jaguars traded to the Miami Dolphins for offensive tackle Branden Albert. Yet the Chiefs traded a fourth round choice, a fairly high selection on Day 3. Yes it’s not until 2019, but it’s a fairly high pick all the same, even if it is delayed gratification for the Buffalo Bills.
Even more concerning is Ragland’s recent health. Coming off of a torn ACL, the Bills were ready to give up on him for a draft asset that’s not due for another two years. For a team devoid of young talent on defense, it says something about what they’re seeing from Ragland in practice—namely that he’s not the same player that you might remember from his days at Alabama or the pre-draft season that turned him into a player with Day 1 stock.
The Chiefs will need patience to see if Ragland can get his “burst” back and it might not be possible after such a devastating injury. Multiple players have certainly returned from a torn ACL, but the same injury has claimed many others.
Given a choice between making the deal or not, most Chiefs fans would definitely say “yes” to this trade proposal in a heartbeat and I’m inclined to agree. But for those who don’t like this deal, it’s not as if they’re ill informed. The Bills were no longer excited about Ragland for a reason, and it’s not just because the guys who drafted him are gone.