Kansas City Chiefs: Defensive trade targets, Part One

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback

Let’s stick in the desert for the article’s last player: eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection Patrick Peterson. Of these three players, Peterson’s the best, the oldest, makes the most, and would be the most expensive to acquire.

He would also completely change the Chiefs’ defensive outlook. Pro Football Focus gave him an 82.5 last season, the fifth best among cornerbacks, in a year in which Peterson only had two interceptions and five passes defended. But his ability transcends such statistics. Truly, Peterson is a shut-down corner.

But he only has two years left on his contract, so if the Chiefs (or any team, really) acquire him, it will most likely go hand-in-hand with a hefty extension. His 2019 cap hit is a hair under $12 million while in 2020 it jumps to just over $13 million.

As stated in the last slide, the Cardinals appear to be starting over in 2019. Even though Peterson backed down on his trade request during 2018, he may not want to wait even longer for the team to get into playoff contention.

And yet, this would take more than just the Chiefs’ 2019 first-round pick. Thankfully, the Chiefs have two second-rounders plus 2020’s first-rounder and another two second-rounders. A combination of sorts that includes the 2019 first-rounder and at least one of those four second-rounders could be the launching point, if it doesn’t outright seal the deal.

Because the Chiefs are clearly in win-now mode, while such a deal may appear unlikely, it’s more than plausible.