Vikings cornerbacks could come full circle for Kansas City Chiefs

It wasn’t so long ago that Chiefs fans were clamoring for a cornerback acquisition from the Vikings. It could come full circle after all.

Last spring and summer, well before the Kansas City Chiefs defense was a Super Bowl caliber unit, the sky was falling in the secondary.

Specifically, Chiefs Kingdom believed that the team’s cornerbacks lacked talent and depth and showed a startling lack of attention from general manager Brett Veach. While Veach could point to failed attempts to acquire a corner in free agency or the draft, the perception was that the Chiefs were basically screwed if they went to war in Week 1 with the unimpressive list of unproven players and low-risk signings that comprised the depth chart.

What was interesting at the time was how much Chiefs fans, myself very much included in this group, wanted some sort of deal to coalesce between K.C. and the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikes looked loaded in the secondary with Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes, Holton Hill and Kris Boyd. Maybe they’d want an offensive lineman (Andrew Wylie?), we said. Maybe they want a draft pick. Either way, a player like Rhodes was highly desired. (Or Waynes)

It’s funny how much things change (and how often we’re often humbled as armchair GMs), and this whole exercise is a great example of looking back and realizing how much we’re wrong most days.

During this NFL season, the Chiefs cornerbacks went from an oft-maligned group on the roster (in fact, they were the most criticized positional group by far) to a surprisingly impactful unit.

• The Charvarius Ward trade remains perhaps Brett Veach’s most lopsided deal yet.
• Rashad Fenton was a rare find in the sixth round able to contribute in year one.
• Bashaud Breeland was a perfect import on the cheap.
• Kendall Fuller has been a valuable and versatile contributor.
• Mo Claiborne was added for security, but it turns out he wasn’t all that necessary.

A look at the Vikings, meanwhile, show a completely different picture.

• Mike Hughes ended another season on injured reserve.
• Mackensie Alexander joined him.
• Trae Waynes had a season to forget with talks of demotion at midseason.
• Xavier Rhodes had an even worse year and is a candidate to get cut.

Here’s what’s crazy: Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated posted a recent story profiling cornerbacks the Vikings could take in the first round. Yes, that’s another first round corner for the Vikings, the same team that sunk the following resources into their current secondary:

• 2012 first round pick: Harrison Smith
• 2013 first round pick: Xavier Rhodes
• 2015 first round pick: Trae Waynes
• 2016 second round pick: Mackensie Alexander
• 2018 first round pick: Mike Hughes

If the Vikings were to invest another first in the secondary, especially at corner, that would be their top pick in five of the last eight drafts—and the bulk of them have disappointed for one reason or another.

Unfortunately for Minnesota, they are dealing with significant cap concerns this offseason which means pricey veterans are likely to get cut and free agents might be hard to retain. Rhodes, who has three years left on a hefty extension, comes with a $13M cap hit this year and more than that through 2021. He also turns 30 before next season. He’s certainly a candidate to be released.

Even more, the Vikings have Waynes and Alexander hitting unrestricted free agency after seasons that weren’t exactly your typical contract year.

This offseason, the Chiefs will watch Fuller, Breeland, Claiborne, and even Keith Reaser (currently on IR) all hit free agency as well after a Super Bowl season, which could elevate their price tags on the open market. Some teams have tons of cap space tp spend and wouldn’t mind taking from the Chiefs. This means the Chiefs are likely to sign someone in free agency (or more) to replace the departed.

It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs end up making the sort of move so many of us were clamoring for (obtaining a Vikings cornerback) for a fraction of the cost and brings things around full circle.