KC Chiefs: Pre-draft trade ideas for Brett Veach to improve the roster

The Charvarius Ward trade

L.A. Rams get: Cornerback Charvarius Ward
Kansas City Chiefs get: Third round pick in 2021 NFL Draft (No. 88 overall)

As of press time, the Chiefs have tendered Charvarius Ward at a second-round level. This means that the restricted free agent is still free to negotiate with any teams, but in order to win the services for the cornerback, any interested franchise needs to not only convince Ward to sign a contract with them but they also owe the Chiefs a second round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In other words, Ward is likely staying in K.C.

But what if he wasn’t? What if the Chiefs decided they were already loaded enough at the position, at least in terms of a young core? The team already has L’Jarius Sneed coming back to likely occupy one boundary role. Deandre Baker is also in the fold as a potential starter outside, although he suffered a broken femur in early January. That said, the break was clean and they did an immediate surgery which was successful. Andy Reid even said he should make a full recovery.

Beyond Baker, the Chiefs also have Rashad Fenton and BoPete Keyes as returning options and it’s not a stretch to think the Chiefs could bring back Bashaud Breeland for another year or two in free agency. The Chiefs have already brought in a slot corner like K’Waun Williams for a free agent visit, which means an addition is likely. And they should also draft one in this year’s class given the long-term talent available. Chris Lammons and Rodney Clemons are also on the roster.

Ward is due over $2 million this year given the tender and then he’s set to hit free agency thereafter. The Chiefs can easily bring him back and enjoy a rather loaded young position group for the rigors of the 2021 season and be just fine. There’s nothing wrong at all with bringing him back. However, if the team has pegged Sneed and Baker as long-term starters outside then things could look crowded and Ward could be a year from leaving as it is.

Here’s the good news for the Chiefs: a lot of teams still have varying degrees of need at cornerback. Seriously, it’s a long list, even with numerous contenders, who need starting-caliber help at cornerback. That means the Chiefs could net a decent long-term asset in return for Ward, who is likely to be with the team for a maximum of one year. Again, this deal makes less sense if the Chiefs don’t add a free agent like Breeland to the mix beforehand, but if they do, it makes a lot of sense for a team like the Rams to take a look here.

The Rams have two third round selections, so parting with this one still leaves them with another and gives them a dependable face to compete in a secondary that lost safety Josh Johnson and cornerback Troy Hill this offseason. While they have talent on the roster, they’re depending a bit too much on the likes of former third-round pick David Long. For a team with Super Bowl hopes, the cornerback position is too thin and/or untested as it stands.

For the Rams, the investment of a third round pick could give them a chance to compete in a division with dangerous quarterbacks while also seeing if they want to give Ward an extension. If not, they could let him hit free agency next year and enjoy a compensatory pick down the road. It’s a win-win for both clubs that leverages a strength for the Chiefs into another Day 2 asset.