Chiefs Chris Jones: Tag and Trade – Ransom Hawthorne wrote an article called, “The Harsh Truth: Chiefs Unlikely to Extend Chris Jones,” some time back, stating that the Kansas City Chiefs wouldn’t be able to keep Chris Jones on the roster after 2019 because they have too many high dollar players already. I actually didn’t go back and look for the article to re-read it, but it was something to that effect (sorry Ransom, if I messed that up). Now, in my opinion, the salary cap is a fluid entity that can be manipulated in multiple directions. So, if the Chiefs really wanted to keep Jones, a way could be found to do it.
Editor’s Note: “NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the league informed clubs Tuesday it is projecting the 2020 salary cap to again increase, this time into the range of $196.8 million to $201.2 million. The increase would be more than $8 million from the current cap of $188.2 million.” –NFL.com
I am under the impression that Jones will be, and is, chasing the money. His little hold out prior to training camp illustrated that. With Frank Clark already getting megabucks, the Chiefs defensive line, for 2020, is already top 10 in the league for salary, and adding Jones to that, with the kind of money he wants and will command, would mean too many other positions will get neglected. Position groups that desperately need upgrades, such as the offensive line, would have to get by with lower quality players, and we saw how that worked out this year with multiple hits and injuries to quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Who is the Franchise?
Let’s face the facts, Patrick Mahomes is the franchise, Chris Jones is not. While Jones is a very good defensive lineman, easily one of the best in the league, a defensive lineman, while being able to be disruptive, can’t singlehandedly win games, not on a regular basis, if at all.
Aaron Donald, whom many consider the best defensive tackle in the game today, has 41 tackles and 11 sacks, while playing about 84% of the Rams defensive snaps through 14 games, and yet the Rams are on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention. Although missing a couple of games due to injury, Jones has 31 tackles and 7 sacks, playing in about 56% of the Chiefs defensive snaps.
Trade Jones to Who?
I am not saying Jones doesn’t have value, he does, in fact, he has a tremendous amount of value. What I am saying, is that if a trade could be worked out, to the right team, for the right compensation, Jones could be worth more to the Chiefs, in the long term, if traded for draft selections, rather than breaking the bank for another defensive lineman.
For me, the right team would be a team that will be picking fairly high in next years draft. The right team will also have needs for their defensive line, plus, will have plenty of cap space to work with, which is something the Chiefs don’t have.
In addition, the right team can be narrowed down by process of elimination. There is no way in the world I would trade Jones to another team in the AFC West. I would prefer not to trade him to any team in the AFC, nor would I want to trade with a 2019 playoff contender from either conference. We’re looking for high draft picks as compensation.
The first two teams I would be calling, if I were the GM, would be the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals, both in the NFC. For the upcoming 2020 season, both of these teams rank 29th and 30th, respectively, for defensive line spending. Both teams also will have in excess of $70+ million of cap space for next season. Most importantly, both the Cardinals and Giants will be selecting fairly high in the 2020 draft, possibly in the top 10.
Recent Trades
Fortunately, there is some recent precedent for trades involving young, high quality players at their respective positions:
Khalil Mack – just prior to the 2018 season, after spending his first 4 NFL seasons as an Oakland Raider, Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears for 1st and 6th round picks in the 2019 draft, plus 1st and 3rd round picks in 2020. In addition to Mack, the Bears also get the Raiders 2nd and 5th round picks in 2020.
Laremy Tunsil – although there were other players involved in this trade, the primary participant was Tunsil, a top left tackle, who was traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Houston Texans just prior to the start of this season. To acquire Tunsil and WR Kenny Stills, the Texans sent OT Julie’n Davenport and a DB, plus their 2020 1st round draft pick and their 1st and 2nd round picks in 2021. The Texans also received Miami’s 2020 4th round pick and a 6th in 2021.
Jalen Ramsey – of course there was the blockbuster trade just before the trade deadline this fall, where the Jacksonville Jaguars traded Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2020 1st round draft pick, plus 1st and 4th round selections in 2021.
The Trade Value of Chris Jones
There would have to be some serious negotiations take place, but all deals need a starting point. I believe my initial asking price for Jones would be 1st and 3rd round draft picks in 2020, plus 1st and 4th round selections in 2021. I would insist on the two 1st and the 3rd, and then work from there. We might need to add a 2021 draft pick of our own or even another player, such as Cam Erving. Arizona, in particular, ranks well below league average in OL spending for 2020.
Can you imagine what could be done with two additional top 10 picks in each of the 1st and 3rd rounds of the upcoming draft. A top 10 first round draft selection could be used for a left tackle. Possibly starting him at LT immediately and sliding Fisher over to left guard. Or maybe drafting a top cornerback, a position of definite need for the 2020 Chiefs. There seems to be quite a number of corners slated as 1st round talent in the upcoming draft.
Quality interior offensive linemen can be found in the second and third rounds of the draft. With an additional pick, that interior OL spot could easily be filled, and still have selections to draft a good tight end or look for linebacker depth. We might even be able to find the double team eating, run stuffing, behemoth of a defensive lineman that many believe we need.
Chris Jones: Conclusion
My contention is that shoring up the offensive line, not with aged veterans, UDFA’s or rentals, but with quality drafted players that will keep Patrick Mahomes — The Franchise — clean and healthy for years to come, is considerably more important than spending 10’s and 10’s of millions for a handful of sacks.
In addition, to have the ability to add a top corner prospect, plus tight end and linebacker depth, all positions of need, makes the trading of Chris Jones seem like a move that must be made. Assuming, of course, that the price is right.
Paul Pulley — ArrowheadOne
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