Before all is said and done, it appears to me that suggestions that I have written about in the recent past just became more likely: Chiefs are going to make a trade. The “Why” is that the Chiefs have two exposures, the second of which is to the Frank Clark saga that is unfolding as summer rolls on towards Training Camp. The second I have written about in prior
articles, related to veteran experience for the CB group. I can’t envision who the player might be, but by the close this article I propose that we could have an experienced group of players for a particular position group. At the same time, it appears that the opportunity to bring in a player that fits a need, where depth or starting talent is a worry, would be GM Brett Veach’s object, with the advice of the Chiefs coaching staff, of course.
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My focus is two-fold and revolves around “exposures” and off the top of my head, the two position groups where I think we have a weakness are: Cornerback and Defensive End. I am making presumptions in both cases, but let’s dig into it with those two groups.
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Position of Focus: Cornerbacks
First, the Chiefs Secondary has a need for veteran experience for the Cornerback role. Many observers have made observations about the player mix, indicating that trust for young players must be present among the secondary coaching crew due to the fact that Veach did not retain Bashaud Breeland. However, Breeland is now water under the bridge.
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At the same time, over the past two seasons: my faith in the defensive back coaching of Dave Merritt and Sam Madison has grown exponentially. We have a young crew which boasts the talent of Brett Veach’s talent seekers in bringing the right players aboard. In an article published Saturday here at ArrowheadOne, Laddie and I covered players who could be, or now demonstrate, that they are and/or were Round One quality player selections. The very first choice made was CB L’Jarius Sneed, and rightly so. L’Jarius Sneed is a shining example of Brett Veach and Co. finding top quality players and bringing them to the fold. What a great draft pick. I won’t worry about his second year so let’s hope that there is no sophomore slump. It’s also important to point out that Dave Merritt and Sam Madison had a lot to do with Sneed’s development.
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Charvarius Ward had a disappointing 3rd season with the Chiefs. In 2018, the Chiefs missed getting to the Super Bowl after Ward made a game changing interception… only to be flagged off due to a bumble headed error by Defensive End Dee Ford. In 2019, Ward played well, but in 2020 his performance sagged drastically as he suffered a broken hand and his play was less than stellar upon his return to the lineup. Still, Ward is now entering his 4th year as a Chief. He may never be a highly rated player, but if he returns to 2020 form, we won’t have to worry about the outside positions as long as he covers the types of failures in coverage last year… which takes me back to Merritt and Madison and trusting in their work with the Cornerbacks.
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Rashad Fenton has earned himself a spot in the rotation. As a public, we didn’t expect much from a 6th round pick, but Fenton has demonstrated the ability to play away from his weaknesses and has performed well both outside and in the slot, That demonstrates his versatility. Fenton is now a veteran of the NFL aerial wars and can be depended upon to fulfill his duty and more. He is quietly become a mainstay of the secondary.
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Mike Hughes, Former Vikings CB: Hughes was brought to the team in 2021 was first round CB talent, selected by the Vikings and with that club he didn’t pan out. While Hughes remains unproven as a factor for the upcoming season, from what I witnessed in his play in college left me listing him as a player we would like to have drafted, but was selected long before the Chiefs were able to take him, which ended up being the case.
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Mike Hughes play 2017 was stellar for Central Florida.
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There is video which I watched again before writing, which only confirms my thinking about the 2018 draft. In 2017 his numbers were very good: 49 tackles, 11 PBU and at least 2 interceptions. Hughes also brings talent for Special Teams. As a kick returner for CFU, he averaged 31 pm kickoff returns, 16 yard per punt return and scored 3 TDs, just in 2017 alone. That had my attention as well, but I figured he was not going to be a Chiefs draft selection… gone in 60 seconds, so to speak. I think we are fortunate to have him aboard. Go back and recall what he accomplished: First Team All-Conference, CB, 2nd team All-Conference Kick Return Specialist.
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In the 2018 NFL Combine Metrics, he was 5-foot-10, 196 lbs., with a 4.46-40 yard dash, 10-feet-7 broad jump, and a 3-cone time of 6.7. His footwork was viewed as top level by analyst so he was taken in round 1. It was fair to question, whether Mike Hughes was a bust or not? Did the Vikings mishandle him? They started him in the slot and not outside as a rookie. which requires skill to handle both sides of any route/move since there is no sideline to help work a defense. Then he suffered a knee injury and was brought back far too quickly to active play. He missed OTA’s, Mini-camp, and Training camp. Whatever it was, I at least think they tried to bring him back too quickly. He didn’t play well in 2019, or 2020. Apparently HC Mike Zimmer and his staff lost faith in him and that is how Veach was able to acquire him in the earmark methodology: obtaining 1st round talent who didn’t succeed after being drafted. It’s a wait and see situation for KC.
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Deandre Baker – Former Giant’s CB: Let’s back up to 2020. Late in the year, Brett Veach went out and signed former NY Giant CB Deandre Baker. He only appeared in the single game versus the Chargers, but acquitted himself very well, with 5 tackles and a sack. By all accounts, Baker, who was first on the PS and then called up to the Active Roster, played some top drawer football. I recall thinking, man, Veach really has something here. Then Baker suffered a broken Femur.
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Recently, I was taken aback a bit since he was on the grass during mini-camp, but not yet returned to play activity. Like Hughes, Baker was a round one pick, in his case, by the Giants. Like Hughes, he was a player who didn’t pan out. He too fit Veach’s acquisition profile of finding former first round draft talent and getting them on board. If you don’t recall, Baker and a Seattle player were charged with armed robbery. No charges filed against Quintin Dunbar, but they were against Baker. The witnesses were discredited and charges dropped. Be that as it may, Baker, drafted out of Georgia, was released by the Giants and signed by Veach. Even more than Hughes, I have great hope for Baker’s future in KC. Unfortunately, the injury occurred January 3rd. We must wait and see how this pans out for 2021. Baker’s status is return is still unknown.
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BoPete Keyes was acquired in the 2020 draft. Veach traded back into that draft to obtain Keyes in the 7th round. Where Keyes stands in readiness to play we must wait until camp. We’ll see then if he is up to snuff? Will Parks, a Free Agent Veteran whose experience is mostly at Safety, but who also has versatility, but could be moved up to a role at corner. Devon Key (W. KY), Dicaprio Bootie (Neb) and Marlon Character (Louisville) and Manny Patterson (Maine) are all UDFA’s. Chris Lammons (SC, 2 years w/ Chiefs) and Rodney Clemons (SMU 1 year w/ the Chiefs) both return As you can see, the Chiefs have a bunch of young CBs, with no NFL experience at all.
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Position of Focus: Defensive End
This topic is easier to address because it was covered short days ago when the problems of Frank Clark’s legal problems reared it’s ugly head. RDE Frank Clark faces two significant charges for two succinct events and he has hired a top level defense attorney which tells me that this legal issue has severe potential repercussions.
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We don’t know what his status will be going into opening day! In which case, the Chiefs have players to counter Clarks absence. In an article from a couple of days ago at ArrowheadOne, I promoted several points as alternatives, but also recognized the “exposure” for the DL: “Chiefs: The Cupboard is Not Bare“
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At DE, the Chiefs have players already contributing on the roster who could step up — I am not saying up to the level of Frank Clark but Frank’s diminished level that we saw in 2020 — even if it’s a combination of two players: Taco Charlton and/or a Combo of Mike Danna and Tim Ward. I don’t think Clark is out for 2021, but we still have an exposure. I covered another aspect by proposing that Brett Veach get back with Melvin Ingram and see if he could be hired on. In this respect, we would get a veteran with a plush history, a player that would benefit the young DEs on the roster.
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Trade Capital
The basic group which has the most depth and players that may not be starters for the coming season, but could very well be starters elsewhere, are on the offensive line. A recent article proposed the Chiefs make a trade using an interior offensive lineman. I’ve previously suggested alternatives: from LDT waiving his no trade clause, to Austin Blythe or Andrew Wylie. The article I’m referring to is by Charles Goldman called, “With Surplus Offensive Guards, Chiefs Should Explore Trade With Steelers” which encompasses much of what I thought was a circumstance that could arise. Now, it has since the Steelers released a 6 time Pro Bowler, David DeCastro, their interior outstanding OG.
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I am not going to say great minds think alike, but I just did, so… if you follow ArrowheadOne, then you’ll have seen me take such a position recently. Now, let’s add one plus one because ProFootball Network just came out with a piece yesterday called: “Best Offensive Lines in the NFL Ranked for 2021” in which they say the Steelers have the #32 best OL in the NFL, which means theirs is among the worst (BTW, they rank K.C. at #7). That might also mean they’d be an ideal trade partner… if the two GMs can bare helping each other out.
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Such is the competition among many good players who are vying for a starting role on the Chiefs Interior Offensive Line. A trade might well be in the offing considering Brett Veach’s day is never done, when he’s working the roster and improving the talent on what will be the eventual final 53 man Roster.
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I am suggesting, strongly, that such a trade possibility is out there, with Pittsburgh or another NFL team that has a need on their own roster. I do not at this point understand what player, from which team might be proposed, and which teams might consider such a trade… it’s just something to keep an eye on! What do you think?
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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