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Kansas City Chiefs: Trade, free agent options to revitalize weakened defense

By Keaton Henry

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 7: Orlando Scandrick #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs is cheered by teammates after defending a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 7: Orlando Scandrick #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs is cheered by teammates after defending a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 12: Linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field before the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 12: Linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field before the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Trade Options

Haason Reddick (Outside linebacker) and Deone Bucannon (Safety), Arizona Cardinals

Rumors have been swirling over the past few days about the Cardinals working towards dealing Haason Reddick and hybrid safety/linebacker Deone Bucannon.

As explained here by the great Ian Wharton of FanSided.com and Optimum Scouting, both Cardinal players come with some baggage, so any team that may make a move for either would have to be comfortable with the risk, along with the potential reward.

(Note: For those who don’t know me, I am not a fan of the “terrible P-word”. This word being “potential”, of course.)

With that being considered, a move to add either of these players would be a step in the right direction. Either player could step in and help an ailing defensive unit as the players that they currently are. If Reddick needs to develop into more of a defined role (which I personally think should be outside on first and second downs, with a move inside in sub-package situations), then I have confidence in the Chiefs staff to help him get there.

The current options at inside linebacker for sub-packages is former undrafted free agent Terrence Smith and 2018 third-round selection Dorian O’Daniel.

Reddick as a developmental option at outside linebacker would surely give Chiefs fans and staff, alike, more confidence than the likes of the trio of Zombo, Smith and O’Daniel.

Similarly, if Buccanon can come in a fill that sub-package linebacker role, a position that was commonly filled by All-Pro safety Eric Berry, then there is no reason for Veach not to make the call and explore the cost. And, if Wharton is correct in his cost assumptions, the Chiefs would be foolish to not surrender a late rounder for either of these guys.

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