The best cornerbacks available post-draft for the Kansas City Chiefs
By Grant Tuttle
Patrick Peterson
Current team: Arizona Cardinals
Fit with Chiefs: High
Likely trade compensation: 1st or 2nd round pick
Likelihood of being traded to the Chiefs: Medium
Patrick Peterson is one of the best cornerbacks in football. With his rumored displeasure in Arizona, one may wonder whether he is on the trade block. It seems unlikely that the Cardinals choose to trade away Peterson, but if they do, the Chiefs will be making offers immediately.
Peterson plays very well in man coverage, but can adapt to a zone scheme. The ability to do both would likely be very attractive to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. In order to acquire a player like Peterson, a new contract would need to be handed out as well, which would not come cheaply.
Jalen Ramsey
Current team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Fit with Chiefs: Medium
Likely trade compensation: 1st or 2nd round pick
Likelihood of being traded to the Chiefs: Low
Jalen Ramsey is a very good man coverage cornerback, but leaves something to be desired in zone coverage. Ramsey’s ball hawking ability and hard-nosed style of play makes him an attractive trade candidate for the Chiefs. As one of the league’s top cornerbacks, the Chiefs would likely need to give up high draft picks in order to acquire him.
The scenerio in which Ramsey gets traded to the Chiefs is if the Jaguars decide that they cannot allocate so much money to the cornerback position going forward. After paying A.J. Bouye a big contract, there is an outside shot that the Jaguars try to keep money to stock up on offensive firepower in the future. Getting a first or second for Ramsey may be better for Jacksonville in the long run if he will outprice them anyway.
Chris Harris
Current team: Denver Broncos
Fit with Chiefs: High
Likely trade compensation: 3rd-4th round pick(s)
Likelihood of being traded to the Chiefs: None (Maybe?)
Harris is very skilled in both man and zone and would fit in with the Chiefs immediately. There are rumors that Chris Harris will get traded or released if the Broncos do not give him a new and improved contract. As another fit in the Chiefs scheme, could Kansas City land him in a trade?
John Elway would never trade within the division, right? He probably wouldn’t, BUT what if he did? If the NFL gets the perception that Harris is going to get released maybe no one will make Denver a trade offer. If that is the case, then anything that the Chiefs offer will be worth more than what they would be getting in return if they outright cut him. While it seems unlikely, I don’t believe that it is totally impossible.
Richard Sherman
Current team: San Francisco 49ers
Fit with Chiefs: High
Likely trade compensation: 2nd or 3rd round pick
Likelihood of being traded to the Chiefs: Low
Sherman fits the Spagnuolo system like a glove. Having been one of the best corners in the league during his time in Seattle, he makes a ton of sense for Kansas City. Seattle’s defensive scheme is similar to Spag’s newest scheme for the Chiefs. With a hefty price tag, it is always possible that a team wants to maximize value on him.
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However unlikely, Richard Sherman would not only fit the scheme and fill a need, but he would also add more smashmouth culture on the defensive side of the ball, which the Chiefs are trying to establish. If the 49ers choose to shop Richard Sherman, Brett Veach should be working the phone lines.