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Under-the-radar trade ideas for the Kansas City Chiefs

By Kelly Thompson

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Denzel Perryman of Los Angeles Chargers celebrates his interception during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Denzel Perryman of Los Angeles Chargers celebrates his interception during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 04: Justin Evans #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stops Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers short of the goal line during the first half of their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 04: Justin Evans #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stops Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers short of the goal line during the first half of their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

The most under-discussed position of need for the Kansas City Chiefs is safety. It makes sense that it’s not on radars because the team has All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu, would-be defensive rookie of the year candidate Juan Thornill, and playoff standout Daniel Sorensen on the depth chart. However, the ACL tear which ended Thornhill’s rookie campaign could keep the second year man on the sideline to start the 2020 season. If that happens, the team’s options are Armani Watts, who hasn’t performed as hoped (see previous trade scenario), and a bunch of untested camp bodies.

The second reason why pursuing a safety acquisition makes so much sense for the Chiefs is due to their lack of investment at cornerback. Last year down the stretch, the team played Mathieu at corner almost as much as they did at safety, and he thrived there (even earning an All-Pro nod at defensive back for his versatility). The team could add another safety piece so that they may continue to play The Landord at corner, masking their overall lack of depth at the position.

The Chiefs also have a very crowded running back room. The team already entered the offseason with would-be Super Bowl MVP Damien Williams, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson in the room. Then they added free agent DeAndre Washington to the mix before using their first round draft pick on LSU superstar Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Someone has to go from this group, and I think Darrel Williams makes the most sense. The team obviously likes something about Washington to have added him early in free agency, Damien is the most proven commodity, and its very early to give up on 2019 draft pick Darwin Thompson (despite his unimpressive rookie campaign). That leaves Darrel as the odd man out.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meanwhile, lack proven depth at the running back position and have failed to upgrade the position in any meaningful way this offseason. Darrell Williams is not an RB1, but he is a steady, veteran presence that can make the most out of the opportunities he’s given.

At the same time, the team drafted Antoine Winfield in the second round of the draft and he’s expected to start for Tampa this season. Justin Evans missed the entire 2019 season with an Achilles’ tear, and has been replaced by the Bucs in the meantime. The Chiefs have made a living taking flyers on talented players with either consistency or injury concerns, and Evans would be another in the long line of such acquisitions.

Due to the Chiefs need for another safety and the Buccaneers need for a running back, this trade makes a great deal of sense for both teams.

Next. Winners from the Chiefs offseason. dark

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