Quinton Dunbar, Rasul Douglas give Chiefs trade options at cornerback

Rasul Douglas

The Philadelphia Eagles were already reportedly ready to ship off (or even release) a cornerback like Rasul Douglas this offseason after the former third round pick failed to seize a starting role the way the Eagles would have liked. It’s not a surprise to now see him listed officially on the trade block as the Eagles make defensive changes to compete in the NFC East in ’20.

The Eagles have already traded for Darius Slay in one of the biggest offseason deals thus far. Slay gives Philly a top-shelf corner, which not only eases responsibility on the secondary but knocks everyone down a rung on the ladder. This leaves Douglas on the outside looking in as the Eagles would rather admit defeat and turn their player into some semblance of a future asset at present than make another run.

If this sounds like an uninspiring pickup for the Chiefs, it’s admittedly not a potential acquisition on the level of Dunbar. However, at this point, the Chiefs could use another depth corner and there’s a good reason why the Eagles have leaned so heavily on Douglas at the outset of the last two seasons. The potential is there and Chiefs coaches have proven their ability to coach up such players to be ready contributors.

Douglas stands at 6’2, 209 lbs. with arms as long as you’ll find on any cornerback. He’s very physical and is a solid press corner who is a risk taker with a knack for making instinctive plays on the ball. He had 8 interceptions in his final season at West Virginia and 5 total interceptions in his first two years at the pro level. Unfortunately he was been burned for several big gains last season and ultimately the Eagles decided the growth curve, if still present, wasn’t worth the hiccups and mistakes.

All that said, Douglas is exactly the sort of prospect worthy of one of those Brett Veach trades where he flips some late round draft asset and/or other part for a prospect who has burned all of his current bridges.

The Cost?

The Eagles have already brought in some linebacker help in the form of former Charger Jatavis Brown on a one-year deal, but with only four linebackers under contract before then, the Eagles could use one or even two more for the sake of competition and overall talent.

What about one of the rare player-for-player deals that sometimes surface in the NFL by dealing another former third round pick who has worn out his welcome in K.C.?

Dorian O’Daniel came into the league with the upside of being an instinctual chess piece used on defense who came with championship experience and solid coverage skills. Instead, O’Daniel wasn’t appreciated by Bob Sutton or Steve Spagnuolo and Brett Veach even reached out for Darron Lee in another deal because O’Daniel wasn’t working out.

Two years later, the potential is there perhaps, but it’s the same feeling you get with Douglas. Perhaps a change of scenery for each is exactly what’s needed to unlock one or both players at the pro level.