KC Chiefs Rumors: Sean Smith Could Sign With Oakland Raiders

As NFL free agency starts to unfold, KC Chiefs rumors have the team set to lose their starting cornerback Sean Smith.

Sean Smith, who was a three-year starter for the Kansas Cit Chiefs at cornerback, is most likely to be gone. Smith, who is a proven veteran with 100 career starts for the Chiefs and Dolphins, may be looking to sign with AFC West rivals, the Oakland Raiders.

Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports on Twitter that the Raiders are one of four teams pursuing Smith. If Smith inks a deal with the Raiders, it will be a double whammy for the Chiefs – they will not only lose Smith’s services but they would have to face him twice every season.

If Smith is set to earn as much as Tafur suggests – $12 million a year – there is no way the Chiefs would be able to match that number. According to Spotrac.com, the Chiefs have approximately $18 million left in cap space.

The Chiefs need to be very cautious with their remaining money. As much as they probably would like to have Smith back, there is no way he fits into their available budget.

With market set ($12 mil a year), told it’s down to #Raiders and three other teams for prized FA CB Sean Smith
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) March 9, 2016

Sean Smith has 10 career interceptions, five with the Chiefs. He averaged 43 tackles and 15 Passes Defensed a season in Kansas City, according to Pro-Football-Reference.

With Smith all but gone the Chiefs will look to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters and Phillip Gaines to hold down the outside. Kansas City used high drafts picks to acquire these two corners, and the expectations are high.

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Peters was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and Gaines in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Gaines suffered an ACL injury in week three but the Chiefs are counting on him making a full recovery. Gaines started all three games last season as Smith was serving a suspension.

Steve Nelson and Marcus Cooper would also be candidates to fill a cornerback spot.

The Chiefs can also address the position again in the 2016 NFL Draft, especially if they are unsure of how Gaines will recover. If they can’t discover an inexpensive gem in free agency, look for the Chiefs to draft a corner in the middle to late rounds.

Smith will be missed as he was a solid, if unspectacular defender. At 6’2″, 215 pounds, he had the size to handle big, physical receivers. Talented corners of that size aren’t all that common. Hopefully, Gaines will be able to replace Smith’s production.

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Now, let’s just hope Smith doesn’t sign with the Raiders or any other AFC West team. It would be easier to cheer him on as he continues his career if he isn’t wearing silver and black.

Stay tuned for more KC Chiefs news and rumors.

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