CBS Sports proposes multiple trades for Chiefs defensive line

The trade deadline brings plenty of mock trades around the NFL. What trades could happen involving the Kansas City Chiefs before the deadline?

The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, and rumors and speculation are running wild. Teams have until Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. EST to finalize their trades and gear up for the season’s second half.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in a prime position to be buyers in this year’s trade market. With 12 draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach can go in many directions. The Chiefs could pull off a mid-season blockbuster or replace some depth.

CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin recently put together a list of a dozen deadline “deals that make sense” and two of those featured the Chiefs. We thought we’d take a look at his ideas to see how much merit each of them had.

Trade one brings some veteran defensive line help

First, Benjamin mocked a trade akin to the Los Angeles Rams trading for pass rusher Von Miller last season. The Rams sent the Denver Broncos a second and third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft for the veteran defender. That move was the catalyst Los Angeles needed, and they reached the Super Bowl behind a top-tier defense. Benjamin thinks the Chiefs trading for a certain pass rusher would be wise.

"Chiefs acquire: DE Cameron JordanSaints acquire: 2023 second-round pick, 2023 third-round pickAn all-time Saint, Jordan may desire to retire in New Orleans, but he’d probably rather go out chasing a ring, and his team is in dire need of restocking for a rebuild. This is the same price the Rams paid for Von Miller in 2021. The Chiefs could use a steadier edge presence alongside Chris Jones as they seek a Lombardi."

Defensive end Cameron Jordan has been with the New Orleans Saints his entire career. The 33-year-old vet is lost on a struggling Saints defense. They have the second-worst scoring defense in the NFL, despite Jordan’s 4.5 sacks and 15 pressures through seven games.

Contending teams will likely ask about Jordan, and the Chiefs are in need of pass-rush help. It is a logical fit, but might not be a clear slam dunk for Kansas City. Due to New Orleans’ continual cap issues, Jordan has an extremely complicated contract situation. Plus, he will have a $25.6 million cap hit next year if the Chiefs keep Jordan beyond 2022. Miller’s

Jordan would be an immediate improvement along the defensive line, however. His run defense has improved with age, only increasing his value to a contender. Even if Jordan is just a one-year rental, Kansas City desperately needs help on the edge. Jordan is a proven commodity who has recorded at least 12 sacks in five of the last six seasons. His track record is success in New Orleans is hard to deny.

All he lacks is a Super Bowl appearance or win. If he joined Kansas City, Jordan’s season would likely end in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 12, 2023.

The second trade takes a former trade bust out of Kansas City.

Benjamin’s next trade will certainly be welcomed by Chiefs fans. It involves the Cleveland Browns, who are still awaiting the debut of big-money acquisition and accused sexual assaulter quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Browns’ season is not going as planned. They are currently on the wrong side of .500 and third in their division. But, if they have any chance of the postseason, they need to double down on their strengths: their defense and their rushing attack.

If the Chiefs acquired Jordan, the Browns could get another veteran defensive end from Kansas City.

"Browns acquire: DE Frank ClarkChiefs acquire: 2023 fifth-round pickIn the scenario where Jordan lands in Kansas City, Clark and his lucrative contract could be shipped out after several underwhelming seasons. The Browns already have a pair of big-name pass rushers in Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, but both starters have been banged up, their “D” badly needs reinforcements, and they’ve got money to spend. As a bonus, Cleveland is Clark’s hometown."

This trade does not seem entirely plausible, as Clark has been streaky for years. His performance against the San Francisco 49ers reminded fans of what he can do. He recorded the team’s first safety since 2020, after shedding 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. Williams is regarded as the league’s premier left tackle, so Clark defeating him so easily was a thing of beauty. It might have only been one play, but it was huge for Clark’s reputation amongst Chiefs fans.

Clark may not immediately move the needle in Cleveland but would provide some experience. His stomach illness has kept him out of games for long stretches, detracting from his availability in 2022. Maybe being a rotational piece would maximize Clark’s talents at this point in his career.

If the Chiefs could acquire any assets to get Clark off the field and off the books, some fans would likely be happy. It may only be for a fifth-round selection, but the Chiefs utilize those late-round selections well. Look no further than cornerback Jaylen Watson, a seventh-round pick, or right guard Trey Smith, a sixth-round selection.

I think the fans would be the real winners in this trade scenario. Outside of Clark’s impact during the Super Bowl run, he has been inconsistent and a financial albatross for Kansas City. The Chiefs could field a new-look pass rush after these trades, with rookie George Karlaftis and Canton-bound Jordan. On paper, it sounds like a great combination.

What are your thoughts on these two trades? Let me know in the comments!