NFL trade deadline: A’Shawn Robinson and 4 other Lions who could interest Chiefs
By Matt Conner
DARIUS SLAY
Why the Chiefs would be interested: If the Chiefs are still hooked on bringing in some impact talent at the cornerback position, they are running out of options. Jalen Ramsey has been dealt. Minkah Fitzpatrick has switched teams. The Cardinals have shut down any Patrick Peterson rumors with convincing effort. From there, it’s a steep drop to the Josh Normans and Janoris Jenkinses of the world.
Darius Slay remains an interesting play, however, for any team potentially interested in adding another top notch pass defender. In fact, Slay himself has said in recent days that he’s fine if he’s traded although Slay was likely just being vocal to the team’s recent trade of his longtime teammate and close friend Quandre Diggs.
If Slay was really available, there would be considerable interest in a player who refers to himself as Big Play and can actually back it up with words. He led the entire NFL in interceptions and batted passes in 2017 (with 8 and 26, respectively), and he’s made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. Check out the following from Pro Football Focus:
"Slay has earned single-season coverage grades at or above 70.0 in each of the past five seasons (2014-18). Only Slay, Chris Harris Jr.and Casey Hayward Jr. can lay claim to the feat over the five-year span."
The Chiefs have lacked a high-level ballhawk ever since they traded away Marcus Peters. They also only have two cornerbacks under contract for next season: Rashad Fenton and Charvarius Ward. The corners have been better than advertised so far this year, but Kendall Fuller just had surgery and the future is unknown. Adding a top layer like Slay would ease the pressure on everyone, provide a lockdown option against the league’s best offenses, and secure the future with a playmaker at corner.
Potential Cost: For the Chiefs, there’s a considerable draft and financial cost here, but it would also provide a top-flight cornerback on the roster for this year and beyond. In fact, any trade would likely also be contingent on Brett Veach’s ability to adda a couple years to Slay’s current deal with only two years left.
Slay is due north of $29 million over the course of this season and 2020. He’s also only 28 and given his current level of play, it’s not difficult to picture the Chiefs giving him a near-market deal for a couple more years of security. To get him from the Lions would likely require the trade of a first round draft pick and the financial commitment above.