Quinton Dunbar, Rasul Douglas give Chiefs trade options at cornerback
By Matt Conner
Quinton Dunbar
If you’re unfamiliar with Dunbar, he’s a very interesting story and a testament to the Redskins coaching staff, at least in the secondary.
Dunbar entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent who was actually coveted by several teams. What’s most interesting here is that he played wide receiver at the University of Florida before entering the NFL and Washington then decided to make him change positions to try to make the roster. His ball skills, excellent athleticism, hands and top speed all translated well and it wasn’t long before Dunbar was showing a knack for the position.
Even during his rookie year of 2015, he played in most games and even started two for the Redskins. From there, he grew into a full-time starter the last two seasons, despite both years ending on injured reserve. A leg injury sidelined him in 2018 and a hamstring injury ended his 2019 season prematurely, giving him only 18 games in the last two seasons.
Injury concerns aside, Dunbar has proven he’s a natural at the position and it’s likely we haven’t seen his ceiling yet given he just started playing corner in the pros. He had a career-high 4 interceptions in 11 starts last season for Washington to go with 37 total tackles and 8 passes defended. For those who like Pro Football Focus, he was the second-highest graded corner in all of football last season (behind Richard Sherman) with a grade of 87.6.
In mid-February, Dunbar made it known that he wanted to be traded (and then walked it back) but now a new report says that’s a lie and the Redskins are now openly shopping him.
The Cost?
Given that Dunbar is a starting cornerback with high potential and a need for an extension, it’s likely going to take a Day 2 pick for Washington to be willing to deal a corner. They did just sign Kendall Fuller to a major market deal to the tune of $44 million over four seasons, which means Dunbar isn’t likely going to break the bank for a team that already committed serious finances to the position.
If the Chiefs were to trade away their third round pick to the Redskins, Washington would enjoy another day two pick in a deep draft for an asset that’s clearly on the block. Ron Rivera would get a chance to perhaps draft a young player to fit in his system to grow as the team takes steps in the NFC East.
For the Chiefs, the loss of another pick in a deep draft in which they have only five total selections is not ideal but securing a consistent starter with a day two pick (especially knowing the Chiefs pick last in every round) is a big win. The injury concerns keep them from having to spend a second round choice here, however, which gives Brett Veach two big picks to still stockpile young impact talent.
As for Dunbar, sliding him in across from Ward would give the Chiefs the outside starters they need and Dunbar’s height at 6’2 gives Spags a long corner he desires. If they like what they see, they can work out an extension, but Dunbar, with a healthy contract season, will be making big money one year from now, which would give the Chiefs a likely third or fourth round compensatory pick.