There’s no clear consensus to be found on Twitter when it comes to responses to the Kansas City Chiefs trade for WR Kadarius Toney.
There’s no denying that Kadarius Toney isn’t a risk-free prospect. While no player is a sure thing, Toney comes with a few more question marks than other wide receivers and those concerns are being lifted up among the mixed responses seen on Twitter in the minutes after the Kansas City Chiefs traded with the New York Giants for Toney.
On Thursday, the Chiefs officially sent a third-round pick (a compensatory one from losing Ryan Poles to the Chicago Bears as general manager) and a sixth-round choice in exchange for Toney. The move immediately drew responses ranging from excitement to confusion and a few in between. A person’s disposition—half-empty or half-full, as they say—is likely the very difference in how fans view the Toney trade.
A deal for Toney gives the Chiefs an extra offensive weapon going forward, especially into 2023 when the cupboard looks quite bare. The Chiefs are set to lose Mecole Hardman this coming spring in free agency, and this is a move that brings in a player similar to Tyreek Hill and Hardman for the next few years on a cost-controlled deal.
That said, Toney has had injury issues and his slight build will make that a concern for as long as he plays. The Giants aren’t exactly flush with high-end talent, yet they gave up on their first-round pick after only a single season. While they did have Wan’Dale Robinson in the same position and a regime in place without any ties of their own, it’s still shocking to see a top-20 draft pick traded just over one year after being drafted.
Let’s take a look at what people were saying about the Chiefs-Giants trade for Kadarius Toney, starting with some positive statements. After all, Toney’s pro comps all sounded great.
Kadarius Toney's comp coming out of the draft was... Tyreek Hill 👀
— The Reid Option (@ReidOptionKC) October 27, 2022
While his health has been an issue in New York, clearly some think the change in scenery is going to be quite invigorating for Toney.
Kadarius Toney walking into the Chiefs facility: pic.twitter.com/cJ0BO9bMCL
— Justin (@Justin_14P) October 27, 2022
kadarius toney (hamstring) pic.twitter.com/HKSaUvWjRE
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 27, 2022
Kadarius Toney after being traded to the Chiefs 😂 pic.twitter.com/Z5cY5eq5qz
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) October 27, 2022
Many fans and analysts are taking a nuanced approach, acknowledging both the ceiling and the floor for a deal like this.
The upside for the Chiefs acquiring Kadarius Toney is 3.5 years of cost control at a position of need long term, he showed ability when healthy, and can return punts.
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) October 27, 2022
He's a better receiver than what will be available with the Poles pick in '23.
Health concerns for sure though.
My thoughts on the Kadarius Toney trade: KC likely sees it as an upside play w/ a good contract. Toney is due $4.4M combined over the next two years, plus a potential fifth-year option.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 27, 2022
Looking at the exploding WR market, Toney could be a great value if he plays to talent level
I loved the weapon that Kadarius Toney could be. He still can be a star in the league. I hate that this happened but I have zero issue with the Giants trading Kadarius Toney.
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 27, 2022
He can't stay healthy and there's more to it than health.
KC is betting that: 1. Toney will be motivated; 2. Reid can scheme him up; 3. Mahomes can lead him.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 27, 2022
The potential is through the roof. But he's been hurt + disinterested. Veach/Reid must believe they can rehab him.
It's at least mildly interesting that former Chiefs QB coach and current Giants OC Mike Kafka apparently wasn't too convinced that Kadarius Toney was a building block.
— Joshua Brisco (@jbbrisco) October 27, 2022
Most important, Patrick Mahomes seems to like it (and that’s all that matters).
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) October 27, 2022