Albert Breer from Monday Morning Quarterback says that multiple teams are on the lookout for further help at corner before the season starts.
The National Football League is becoming more of a passing league with each new year as offenses become more efficient (and consequently more dangerous) with creative schemes that spread a defense far and wide. Unfortunately, the abundance of offense in the NFL these days has coupled with a lack of pass defenders—quality ones at least—which means many teams are left searching.
In his latest column at Monday Morning Quarterback, Albert Breer reported that several teams he’s hearing from are looking for corners these days. The Kansas City Chiefs were not mentioned, but would certainly rank among those franchises in need of further help at the position. The team already brought in Bashaud Breeland this offseason as a free agent signing and drafted sixth round pick Rashad Fenton, but the Chiefs could still use talent and depth overall as they head into a new season.
The problem, Breer writes, is where those needy teams can turn.
"Along those lines, the issue really is finding sellers. Very few teams have a surplus. New England and New Orleans are two that other teams have an eye on that might be in a spot to deal a spare corner."
The Chiefs have been linked with a number of teams for a potential acquisition at cornerback. The Arizona Cardinals could trade Patrick Peterson when he returns from suspension, and there was plenty of smoke earlier this offseason to believe there’s something burning. The Minnesota Vikings are also brought up regularly given their overall depth, assuming things go well with Mike Hughes return from injury and that Holton Hill looks good after his own suspension.
As for what players could show up from those teams, the Patriots left Duke Dawson inactive for every game last year despite picking the cornerback in the second round. Any player in that sort of doghouse could be an easy and obvious trade target.
Over in New Orleans, Ken Crawley could be a good buy-low option for a young cornerback who looked like a solid up-and-coming performer in 2017 only to disappoint last season.
While those choices might not inspire, as Breer notes, the reality is that there just isn’t enough quality to go around. Teams are desperate to draft and develop their own corners, and the Chiefs just haven’t prioritized the position enough to make a big difference in the secondary.
A move might be coming, but it likely won’t be for too much and the field is competitive enough as it is for even those parts.