3 blockbuster trades the KC Chiefs could make to shock the NFL
By KC Proctor
The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a 5-1 start after securing their 16th straight victory over the Broncos in Week 6. Their Thursday night, short-week commitments are fulfilled, and there's not much for The Kingdom to gripe about through nearly two months of the season.
General consensus does suggest, however, that the offense has room for improvement while the defense deserves credit for the team's early success. Brett Veach can either either sit back and let the offense come together over time or make a move ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Halloween marks the deadline this season, and while a blockbuster move may seem scary at this juncture, it could be just what the team needs to continue this trend. Let's take a look at three blockbuster trades that the Chiefs could make if they wanted to make a jaw-dropping splash in the NFL.
1. Blockbuster Trade Idea #1: The Mike Evans Deal
Chiefs send: L'Jarius Sneed, CB; Kadarius Toney, WR
Buccaneers send: Mike Evans, WR
Rumors of Mike Evans being traded to the Chiefs started a long time ago. With such an underwhelming overall performance from pass catchers—aside from Travis Kelce—trading for him now makes all the more sense. Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore each have shown hopeful flashes through six games, and they are likely the core of the future. Adding a superstar like Evans would take some weight off of the young guys and offer Mahomes a more seasoned target to play with.
Kadarius Toney has been one of the most polarizing players in the NFL since being drafted, and he's been as advertised in Kansas City. The highs have been fun, but the lows have been devastating. The Buccaneers' wide receiver room is thin, so they would need a playmaker in this deal. Toney has done more harm than good here so far and this upgrade would be dramatic.
The challenge in this hypothetical is coming to grips with the Chiefs dealing a cornerback, especially one as deeply engrained in Spagnuolo's system as L'Jarius Sneed. The thought is justified by the early success of last year's duo of late-round picks—Justin Watson and Joshua Williams—and the clearly visible upside of Trent McDuffie. Further, the front office made a move to address the looming free agency negotiations with Sneed by drafting Chamarri Conner who has blended in quite nicely so far. The time to gain value for Sneed is now, and the Buccaneers could use his services.
Some of the highest-profile cornerbacks to be traded in recent history have yielded minimal returns and Sneed is probably only worth a fourth or fifth-round pick on his own. He is due for a big payday that Veach is unlikely to pay regardless. Bringing in a future hall of famer in Mike Evans—who looks as good as ever—for the cost of cutting ties with Sneed and Toney makes perfect sense for this team in its current state.