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Marcus Peters trade helped Kansas City’s current defensive transition

By Farzin Vousoughian

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Marcus Peters #22 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during their NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Marcus Peters #22 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during their NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Chiefs fans weren’t thrilled when cornerback Marcus Peters was traded to the Rams. However, the trade benefits the team with a new defensive coordinator.

It was a little more than 11 months ago when the Kansas City Chiefs traded away All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams. In addition to sending a 2018 sixth-round pick, the Chiefs received a 2018 fourth-round pick, in which the Chiefs used to draft safety Armani Watts, plus a 2019 second-round pick.

At the time of the trade, Chiefs fans felt ripped off. A 2018 fourth-round pick and a 2019 second-round pick seemed like a steal for the Rams. The Chiefs, now more than ever, are benefitting from the Peters trade. Having an extra second-round pick will help the Chiefs in the 2019 NFL Draft.

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The Chiefs currently have one pick in the first round and a pair of second-round picks. Yes, the Chiefs pick 29th in the first round, and regardless of what happens to the Rams in the Super Bowl, their second-round pick going to Kansas City will be very late. But don’t let that discourage you from the fact that the Chiefs could still find some young, bright-eyed talent.

Patrick Mahomes was selected 10th overall when he probably should have gone No. 1 in 2017. Tyreek Hill and Chris Jones were both non-first-round picks in 2016. Travis Kelce, Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt were all taken in the third round by the Chiefs in different years.

The Chiefs have had a lot of luck finding great players outside of the first round. More importantly for the 2019 NFL Draft, as the Chiefs are expected to switch to the 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, it is likely the Chiefs use most of their draft picks on finding defensive players that fit Kansas City’s new 4-3 defensive scheme. That is where the extra second-round pick will come into play.

The Chiefs traded away their 2018 first-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for a pick in the top 10 to draft Mahomes. This time, general manager Brett Veach has a first-round pick to work with, plus two more in the second round. Veach can use free agency to find a couple of new starters on defense while using the draft to build depth for the 4-3 defense with a potential starter or two for the 2019 season.

Kansas City has a great shot at improving its defense and adding players who fit the 4-3 scheme. Little did we know it at that time, but trading away Peters may end up helping this defense, given the current situation as the defense is expecting to change under a new coordinator. The Chiefs just simply need to play their cards right in this draft.

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