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Ranking Brett Veach’s player trades as Kansas City Chiefs GM

By Jacob Milham

Mar 1, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansa City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach speaks to the media during the 2018 NFL Combine at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansa City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach speaks to the media during the 2018 NFL Combine at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lonnie Johnson (1) and DeAndre Baker (30) Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Lonnie Johnson (1) and DeAndre Baker (30) Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

17. The Lonnie Johnson trade

Chiefs receive: CB Lonnie Johnson

Texans receive: 2024 seventh-round pick

This trade ranks so low not only because cornerback Lonnie Johnson was amongst the first players cut in the 2022 preseason, but fans had some expectations for him in 2022.

Johnson, a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, played 44 games in three seasons with the Houston Texans with his share of ups and downs. He struggled in 2019 and 2020 but provided his best pass coverage for the team in 2021. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 56.7% of passes and had a 55.7 passer rating when targeting Johnson. However, the Texans made Johnson expendable by drafting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. third overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Veach moved quickly on Johnson, sending Houston a conditional seventh-round pick in exchange for the veteran after the 2022 NFL Draft. It seemed like a smart move, as Kansas City entered 2022 with several rookie cornerbacks. Besides, Johnson held an intriguing blend of size and scheme versatility—both qualities Chiefs coaches like—but it was not enough to save Johnson’s roster spot.

Johnson recorded three combined tackles in Kansas City’s first preseason game against the Chicago Bears, playing in 23% of defensive snaps. While the trade signals confidence in Kansas City’s younger cornerbacks, making a trade for a player and then cutting him is disappointing.

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