Chiefs make low-risk, high-reward trades for Cam Erving, Reggie Ragland

The Kansas City Chiefs are making low-risk, high-reward moves with their recent trades for Reggie Ragland and Cam Erving.

Cameron Erving is a swing man on the offensive line who can play at center, guard or tackle. He was drafted by the Browns at pick 19 in the 2015 draft. Coming into the league out of Florida State, he was considered the top center prospect in the draft, despite not playing much center in college. His athleticism and size combination had scouts praising his ability to pull on sweeps and screens while also being able to straightforward hold the line.

The Browns took advantage of this versatility by playing him at every position on the line except for left tackle during his two year career there. Unfortunately for the Browns, this was more because of their lack of offensive line talent more than it was Erving’s talent. Erving has been, well there is no sugar coating it… he’s been bad.

Just google Cameron Erving and you will see plenty of articles and reviews about how much of an open gate he’s been in Cleveland. I’m here to tell you to pump the brakes and take a look at the deal and the situation before you judge the player the Chiefs just got. First the deal, which was a fifth round pick in 2018 for him. That is the round you usually get guys like Ukeme Eligwe, Kevin Hogan and James O’Shaughnessy. Not exactly a who’s who of the Chiefs roster. Yes there are exceptions to every rule, as the Chiefs also got Tyreek Hill in the fifth round, but those are a rarity. His contract isn’t bad at only $1.3 million this year and $1.7 million in 2018 according to Spotrac.com. So the Chiefs got a former first round pick for a total of $3 million for a fifth round pick. That is a good risk to take.

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The situation in Kansas City is about as far from Cleveland as you can get. The Chiefs have an established coaching staff that has been together for going on five seasons. There is nobody on the hot seat worried about keeping their job more than making the right moves for the team. The team will work with Erving, see what he does well and play him to those strengths while coaching up his weaknesses. He will not be a starter and there will be no pressure on him to play great. In Cleveland, he was a first round pick expected to play like one from the minute he was drafted. In K.C., he’s just another offensive lineman for whom the Chiefs traded a late round pick. His expectations are simply fill in when needed and do your best for those few plays. And Andy Reid will make sure those plays are plays that emphasize his strengths and hide his weaknesses.

So this deal is good, since the situation is completely different and the player has potential. Whatever scouts once said about Erving’s prospects are still true. He still has the size and athleticism that any team wants. The ability to be a wrecking ball on the outside on pulls and screens is still there. The ability to be a bulldozer on the line is still there. He now has no pressure on him to be the man. He’s not taking over for a Pro Bowler (e.g. Alex Mack) or trying to help save a franchise. He’s a guy who needs to just go out and do his job to the best of his ability. He’s got a film room full of veterans to help him and a locker room full of leaders to motivate him.

I’m not saying that this is a lockdown move by the Chiefs and he’s going to be a dominant force that turns into an elite performer for years to come. There is risk here. He is coming off of a calf injury that had him listed as week-to-week, and leg injuries for lineman are never simple. If he can’t get healthy or if he refuses to take to the coaching and system, then this could be a bust. He’s been a bust so far, so you have to keep that possibility in the equation.

However I don’t think Brett Veach or Andy Reid sign off on this deal if they don’t believe the kid will work and take coaching. I think they see talent that if they bring him into their system and use him correctly, Erving can be the swing man this offensive line is lacking right now. They will coach to his strengths and won’t leave him to fend for himself. I see this much in the same way I saw the Reggie Ragland deal, a player they bought low with potential high level talent who wasn’t fitting in their current team. The thing about low risk and high reward moves is that they don’t hurt much if you lose. However, you look like the smartest man in the room when they work!

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