Kansas City Chiefs trade deadline targets to improve the defense

Derek Barnett

Eagles DE Derek Barnett is quite possibly the most recognizable name on this list, and Philadelphia would love to trade him. The team is in the dumps and has already traded away star tight end Zach Ertz as well as backup quarterback Joe Flacco. At a time in which the Eagles are pushing to get better and get younger next spring, the 25-year-old Barnett is a great asset for them.

The problem with Barnett hasn’t been his playmaking skills. Barnett has been in the middle of some pivotal plays through the years, most notably in Super Bowl LII when he recovered a Tom Brady fumble that sealed the victory for the Eagles. But the 6’3″ 260-lb. Barnett hasn’t provided the Eagles with the kind of consistency that they’d like to see from the 14th overall pick in the 2017 draft. As he approaches free agency, the Eagles may very well view Barnett as more of an asset than as a building block, as they appear poised for a fire sale. Barnett won’t be cheap in free agency next spring, but the Eagles would probably prefer to ship him to an AFC team for now while they regroup for 2022.

The former Tennessee Volunteer (while there, he broke Reggie White’s career sack record) grades out at 62.7 on PFF in 2021, but has yet to tally his first sack of the season. Perhaps getting back out in a wide 9 (he hasn’t this season) for a contender would be just what Barnett needs in order to boost his stock entering into unrestricted free agency next spring. He would instantly become the Chiefs’ best pass rusher off the edge, as he would give the Chiefs some speed and explosion from the outside – something they have desperately been lacking.

A trade for Barnett would be an all-in type of move. The Chiefs would probably be paying a mid-round pick in exchange for a three-month rental of a player that they would hope gets them back into playoff contention. Barnett restructured his contract just a few months back, meaning the Eagles would bear the brunt of almost $10 million in dead cap if they dealt him away. Also, Philly would have to receive an offer that would be better than the comp pick they’d get if they just kept Barnett and let him walk in free agency. It’s a big gamble for a player who is underperforming in 2021.

Projected Compensation

Due to the walkaway power held by the Eagles in this one (why trade him away for a 3rd or 4th round pick if you’re getting that in a comp pick?), it will likely take a 2nd round pick to get him in a trade.