Chiefs Offseason Wishlist: Part 2- Trade Options

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As the calendar has turned to March, the clock is ticking closer and closer to the start of the 2022 NFL league year. Many high-profile names will be available in free agency. Both sides of the ball present plenty of fruitful options. In part one of our Chiefs offseason wishlist series, we listed five defensive free agents that we would like to see Kansas City consider. To read that click here.

In part two, we will look into five particular trade options that we would like to see the Chiefs consider. General manager Brett Veach has never been afraid to acquire a player via trade. Some of those acquisitions have worked out better for Kansas City, while others have failed harshly.

Today, we will list five trade candidates that would fill a major position of need for the Chiefs. This will include wide receivers, pass rushers and a defensive back. What kind of contracts would Kansas City be adding to their salary cap? Plus, what would the trade package possibly look like for each one? Let’s kick it off with our first trade candidate.

Za’Darius Smith

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker- Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have many difficult roster decisions to make as they enter 2022. Most notably, trying to bring back the dynamic duo of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams awaits. They are already well over the projected salary cap. According to Over The Cap, the Packers are currently at $26 million over the 2022 salary cap. Only the New Orleans Saints ($44 million) are over the cap at a higher rate. Thus, Green Bay may be forced to say goodbye to some top contributors.

One name that looks destined for a move, is pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. The Packers have said that they will not bring him back at his current cap number in 2022 ($27.7 million). Unless they are willing to void years of his deal and push significant amounts of money down the line, Green Bay basically has their hands tied. The timing could also be just right for the Packers, nonetheless.

Throughout his first two years with Green Bay, Smith registered 107 total tackles, 89 pressures, 60 quarterback hits, 29 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, 25 hurries, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two pass deflections. That is staggering production. More importantly, Smith did not miss a single game throughout 2019 and 2020. 2021 proved to be a different story, though. He played just one regular season game in the season opener. Smith then missed the rest of the regular season, due to a back injury. The pass rusher would return for the playoffs and provided one sack.

What Could Trade Package Look Like?

A trade like this would likely be something similar to the Orlando Brown Jr. swap from last offseason. The picks may be lower in the 2022 draft order, so to speak. But, we could see the Chiefs trade a day two pick and a couple of day three picks. Green Bay could hypothetically move a later pick on day two and one pick on day three in return.

Potential Trade Package:

Chiefs receive:

• Za’Darius Smith
• 2022 third-round pick (92nd overall)
• 2022 fifth-round pick (170th overall)

Packers receive:

• 2022 second-round pick (62nd overall)
• 2022 fourth-round pick (133rd overall)
• 2022 sixth-round pick (189th overall)

Kansas City would obviously have to be willing to pay Smith a hefty number in 2022. Perhaps, that could still be at a much-reduced rate, compared to his current 2022 cap number. The back injury from last year does make this a bit risky as well. However, the consistent production, instincts and wide array of pass rush moves would be well worth it for a Chiefs defense that finished 29th in sacks last season. Smith would also provide a rare mix of power and quickness upfront.

Brandin Cooks

Wide Receiver- Houston Texans

Brandin Cooks is no stranger to the NFL trade market. As we mentioned in our Chiefs 2022 wide receiver need article earlier this week, this pass catcher has already been traded three times throughout his career. Cooks is still only 28 years old. During his two years with the Houston Texans, he has compiled 171 receptions, 2,187 receiving yards, 12 receiving touchdowns and has a yards per reception average of 12.8.

Houston is still well in the early stages of a potentially long and strenuous rebuild. No one knows exactly what the future may hold regarding quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Texans have had to hire a new head coach after each of the last two seasons. Moreover, they are still not near the top of the league in terms of 2022 salary cap space. Recent draft history has not looked too promising. Finally, the Texans do not have much, in terms of long-term pillars to build around. Why not get something for a highly productive receiver like Cooks?

What Could Trade Package Look Like?

The Cooks move could be less of a hit than some may think, from a financial standpoint. Sure, he is due for a meaningful cap hit of $16.2 million in 2022. His base salary is due to be a bit lower at $12.5 million, however. On the other hand, Cooks is entering the last year of his current contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2023.

That could allow a team like the Chiefs to come and get him, while not having to move as much as some may think. Houston could also be willing to eat some of the 2022 cap hit as well, given their current rebuilding window. Adding a Chiefs player to the package could pique the Texans’ interest even more.

Potential Trade Package:

Chiefs Receive:

• Brandin Cooks

Texans Receive:

• 2022 fourth-round pick (133rd overall)
• Khalen Saunders

The Chiefs move a day three draft pick and a former third round pick in 2019 of their own in defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Saunders would be joining a Lovie Smith defense that has been described as “defensive line friendly.” He has had a few bright spots in Kansas City. Though, consistently seeing the field has been challenging. A change of scenery could be best for him. In return, the Chiefs go in on filling a major need.

Cooks is a rare receiver, who is not built like a prototypical X receiver. Yet, he consistently separates, can win deep down the field and has continued to get better. He has been moved so often. Cooks has not been on a contender in a few years, however. Kansas City could fill that void.

Robert Quinn

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker- Chicago Bears

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Soon to be 32 years old, Robert Quinn proved that he still has plenty left in the tank. He set a Chicago Bears’ single season franchise record in sacks last year (18.5). To boot, Quinn added 22 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. There are many parallels to the aforementioned Smith. Quinn consistently produces by terrorizing opposing backfields. Nevertheless, his cap hit in 2022 and beyond may be too much for a new Bears regime to swallow.

He has a cap hit of over $17 million in 2022 and one of over $18 million in 2023. Again, that could be a tricky proposition for the Chiefs, unless they go all in on releasing plenty of players that hold large cap hits themselves. We also know that Kansas City could benefit a bit more with the extra draft capital that they hold. For Chicago, they are a bit more limited in that regard. We also cannot rule out old friends Ryan Poles (new Bears GM) and Veach having a meaningful phone call or two, regarding each team’s respective roster.

What Could Trade Package Look Like?

The Chiefs may be looking at moving pieces similar to what it would cost to acquire Smith. But because of Quinn’s older age, the Chiefs may not get as many draft picks back in return. Maybe Chicago eats a cut of the 2022 cap hit as well.

Potential Trade Package:

Chiefs receive:

• Robert Quinn
• 2022 fifth-round pick (149th overall)

Bears receive:

• 2022 second-round pick (62nd overall)
• 2022 fourth-round pick (133rd overall)

Quinn has plenty of pass rush moves in his arsenal and can produce against both the pass and the run. Overall, his ability to bend around the corner may be more reliable than the power moves of Smith, so to speak. Quinn is a player whose all-around game will make differences in multiple areas. As a result, he won’t solely be expected to rack up the sack numbers.

Denzel Mims

Wide Receiver- New York Jets

We also referenced this pass catcher in our wide receiver need article from Tuesday. There are plenty of signs out there that suggest a short stint for Denzel Mims in New York. The Jets selected him with their second-round pick in 2020. He has only appeared in 20 games and has made just 11 starts in two seasons. On top of that, Mims has only managed 31 receptions, 490 receiving yards and no touchdown receptions. A change of scenery could be best for both sides.

Mims is obviously still young enough, to where he could readjust quickly in a new setting. The Jets have also not wasted as much time in making moves that make their own situation immediately better under Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas. Moving on from Mims could allow New York to surround Zach Wilson with a receiving corps that is much more proven.

What Could Trade Package Look Like?

This is a type of trade that Veach has been known for. Acquire a former early draft pick before the end of their rookie deal and see if they can develop in the Chiefs program. Mims also has the size that Kansas City has been missing for quite some time. Compared to the other trade options we have referenced, this would not cost much for the Chiefs to acquire Mims.

Potential Trade Package:

Chiefs receive:

• Denzel Mims

Jets receive:

• 2022 seventh-round pick (231st overall)

Mims was known as a lethal weapon in contested catch situations at Baylor. He can stack receivers vertically, and helps to provide a commanding presence over the middle of the field. New York could potentially cut their losses quickly and move on with a late-round pick.

Noah Igbinoghene

Cornerback- Miami Dolphins

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This is a similar trade candidate to Mims. However, Noah Igbinoghene was a former first-round pick, rather than a second-round pick like the Jets receiver was. There was certainly an expectation of Igbinoghene being raw coming out of Auburn. He had not played the cornerback position very much upon entering the NFL. On the flip side, his athleticism and special teams ability could have been a nice landing spot, so to speak, before he was ushered in to play cornerback consistently.

The defender appeared in all 16 games as a rookie in 2020, but only made two starts. He finished with 13 tackles, two pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. He allowed a completion percentage of 56 percent when targeted. He only managed seven games played and one start in 2021. Sure, the new head coaching hire may already give Igbinoghene a fresh start in Miami. There just appears to be too much damage done from within that front office staff that is still in place. Igbinoghene could receive a longer leash elsewhere.

What Could Trade Package Look Like?

Once again, this could be a Veach special. You get a chance to bring in a developmental defensive back on a rookie deal. He already has the athletic upside and adequate length and flexibility needed for the position. Once again this could look like a swap that only involves late-round picks.

Potential Trade Package:

Chiefs receive:

• Noah Igbinoghene
• 2022 sixth-round pick (199th overall)

Dolphins receive:

• 2022 seventh-round pick (231st overall)

Igbinoghene can provide more upside in man coverage as things currently stand. Asking him to consistently press at the line of scrimmage could still be tricky. Yet, the Chiefs do not have a lot to lose, especially if they are able to add one other depth cornerback sometime this offseason.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles throughout this weekend. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.