Kansas City Chiefs: Players that could possibly be traded away

At cut down time, teams will trade late round picks for depth. Do the Kansas City Chiefs have anyone they can move before the final roster cuts?

Last season at this time of year, the Kansas City Chiefs traded defensive lineman David King to the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round 2018 draft pick. They also have a seventh-round draft pick from the Arizona Cardinals when, in 2016, they trade Marcus Cooper. As cut down date approaches, is there anyone on this roster the Chiefs could net a draft pick for by the conclusion of the weekend?

Linebackers Terrence Smith and Ukeme Eligwe

Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland are the entrenched starters, Dorrian O’Daniel as a rookie will make the roster, and undrafted Ben Niemann has been the star of a God awful defense during the pre-season. It’s hard to imagine the Chiefs keeping more then five middle linebackers if they keep that many, leaving young depth players Terrance Smith and Ukeme Eligwe on the chopping block.

Both have experience on special teams, both have spent time playing, and more importantly, both are on extremely cheap rookie contracts. Could the Chiefs net a sixth or seventh round pick for one of the linebackers?

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Pass Rusher Dee Ford

I find this unlikely simply because I’m not sure who’d want him. But Dee Ford has been a major disappointment as a Chief. He failed to replace Tamba Hali and has been unable to be an impact player against the pass or even playable in running situations. Part of the problem is the Chiefs want and play Ford to be something he isn’t, an every-down linebacker.

Is there a team looking to add a player strictly to rush the passer, perhaps Ford is attractive. In the last year of his contract, Ford could bring back a compensatory pick to the acquiring team. Unique note, the Chiefs would save 8.718 million against the cap if Ford is traded but would not save anything if released. The question is whether another team would be willing to take on that contract?

Wide Receiver Chris Conley

Perhaps no player in recent memory is more polarizing based on their potential compared to their actual production. Since posting a great combine netting Conley a third-round draft selection, Conley has looked good on the bus and has made some key grabs over the past few years, but past that has done very little.

How little? 22 players in the NFL had more receiving yards in 2017 then Conley has had since he entered the league. No worries, multiple running backs (including three rookies) caught more passes in 2017 then Conley has had in his career.

However, much like Ford, is in the last year of his contract and is a decent run blocker and can work underneath pass routes. Could the Chiefs make a move with Conley to a team like the Colts (limited WR depth, GM Ballard was in KC when Conley drafted) or another team looking for a versatile backup?

Safety Eric Murray

The transition from college cornerback to NFL safety at this point has not gone well for the University of Minnesota product. However, he’s proven to be a valuable special teams player and could provide depth in the defensive backfield. However, with Watts with the team along with Berry, depending on how long Daniel Sorensen is out, Murray could be an odd man out based on roster numbers. Perhaps a team out there looks at Murray as a low cost, low-risk option to their roster.

Defensive lineman Allen Bailey

I don’t see this likely simply because who are the Chiefs going to replace him with? That’s a legitimate discussion in regards to the lack of defensive depth and one I’ve discussed previously. However, much like the previous Ford and Conley, Bailey is in the last year of his contract, and a team that is looking to add versatile defensive line depth could be interested in the veteran on the last year of a contract. Perhaps Bailey has to be moved to bring in young corner depth as the Chiefs are still trying to find someone that can cover a wide receiver.

It will be interesting to see what Brett Veach does this weekend to finish the final roster. He made a few trades during this time last season. The team still has plenty of spots on the roster that need addressing and some positions that they have more talent than they need. Which one of these players is most likely to be traded?