Cameron Erving trade: What should Chiefs expect?

Though labeled a disappointment in Cleveland, Cameron Erving is hoping for a fresh start in Kansas City. What should Chiefs fans expect?

Cameron Erving was a disappointment in Cleveland. There’s just no way around it. But the shadow of Alex Mack didn’t help, and neither did being forced into a position he wasn’t suited to play. Now that he’s been traded away to the Kansas City Chiefs, Erving isn’t the only one hoping that a change of scenery can provide a blank slate. Chiefs fans are also hopeful about what Erving can add to the team, since he was, at one point, a heralded offensive lineman who warranted a first round pick.

We recently sat down to ask Browns expert Thomas Moore about Erving’s potential and what the Chiefs should realistically expect from the lineman moving forward

Cam Erving has been a disappointment so far, by all accounts. Is that an understatement? Just how bad has it been?

Take everything you’ve heard about how bad he is—and it is worse. He proved last year that he is not an NFL center by any known definition, and in limited time this summer, he struggled to prove that he can be a viable offensive tackle.

Why would the Browns give up on Erving at this point?

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Former general manager Ray Farmer drafted Erving to be a center despite the fact that he only played the position for a handful of games in college. His rookie year in Cleveland, Alex Mack was still on the roster, so Erving had no position to play. He moved to center in 2016 and was routinely overmatched and out of position.

The Browns moved Erving to his more natural tackle position in training camp and it seemed as if he could grab a backup role. But a calf injury has kept him out of action since the first preseason game—when he didn’t look very good—so there was simply not enough time for Erving to show that he has what it takes.

What should the Chiefs never ask Erving to do?

Block someone? Wait, that’s kind of an important part of being an offensive lineman, so that won’t work. Play center, unless they want Alex Smith to get hurt and open up a clear path for Patrick Mahomes to start without raising any questions.

What strengths does he provide a team?

He’s a stand up guy and he does try hard and give his full effort all the time. The problem is he can only make a good play 1 out of every 15 snaps. That one play, however, looks really good. It’s just that the plays where he looks bad he takes it to the extreme.

If you had to predict, do you think Erving will blossom away from Cleveland or do you think he is what he is?

This is a case where changing teams could help. Erving carried the burden of all the failed first-round picks in Cleveland and had to be the guy to replace Mack, one of the best centers in the league. He wasn’t up to that challenge, and to be fair to him, he never should have been put in that position in the first place. Moving to a new team with no expectations can only help. If the Chiefs put him at one of the tackle positions and leave him there, they may find themselves with a capable backup.