Could the Kansas City Chiefs go back to the trade market to find their left tackle of the future? One ESPN insider is watching a particular player closely if that’s the case.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently helped compile some last-minute free agency and trade buzz with the NFL’s legal tampering period kicking off at noon tomorrow. He mentioned that Houston Texans LT Laremy Tunsil could be a trade target for Kansas City if they’re unable to get a long-term deal done with Orlando Brown Jr. ahead of Monday.
Check it out:
Originally Posted by :
“One potential trade target I’m watching is Houston left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The Texans have resisted trading him in recent years, but he has just one year and a nonguaranteed $18.5 million left on his contract and could be a target of the Chiefs if they aren’t able to bring back Orlando Brown Jr.”
What would need to happen for a trade to materialize?
First, Houston would need to decide that they did not want to pay Tunsil a long-term contract extension. That would be a bold move considering they’re expected to draft a rookie quarterback and nothing is better for a rookie quarterback than an established left tackle.
Second, the two sides would have to agree on trade compensation. Would the Chiefs really be willing to potentially give up a first-round draft pick in 2023 (and potentially more) for Tunsil when they’re hosting the draft in Kansas City?
Next up, the Chiefs and Tunsil’s representation would need to first agree to a contract extension that would lower his 2023 salary cap hit. Right now, his cap hit would put the team over the cap.
Finally, Kansas City must view Tunsil as their “long-term solution” at left tackle. Will they envision him as such when he’ll be 29 years old in Week 1 of 2023? There is certainly nothing wrong with his ability — in three of the past four seasons, he’s been among PFF’s highest-graded pass-blocking offensive tackles. They should have no problem paying for that production, but would it be for more than one contract? It’s hard to say. When you draft a rookie in the first round, you get five years of control (fifth-year option), plus a likely sixth year of control through the franchise tag. Then you have the potential of re-signing that player to a long-term deal afterward.
There are certainly benefits to trading for Tunsil, but given what we’re hearing about what the Chiefs want out of the left tackle position this offseason, a trade might not be the route they take. [Reply]
PFF says he has slipped in run blocking but he’s elite in pass blocking:
Originally Posted by :
12. Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans
Tunsil stepped into the NFL as a reliable pass protector, and he’s developed into one of the best pass protecting tackles in the NFL in the six years since he was drafted 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins.
The 6-foot-5 tackle out of Ole Miss has earned 75.0-plus PFF grades in pass protection in each of his first six NFL seasons, culminating in 85-plus pass-blocking grades with the Texans in 2019 and 2020. Those results are made more impressive by what Tunsil was asked to do in pass protection in an offense that didn’t get the ball out quickly or slow down opposing pass rushes with play-action or screens.
He slides a bit on this list because he hasn’t been a dominant run blocker (no single-season run-blocking grades above 70.0 in six NFL seasons) and did miss time in 2021.
I would be fine with a 2nd this year and a 1st plus a 3rd in 2024. I'd also be fine with extending him to a 4-5 year deal at what we were offering OBJ. Not sure if Tunsil would take that though.
But I would also be fine sending a 2nd round pick to GB for Njiman. [Reply]
So when he got traded back in 2019, he (along with Kenny Stills and some bullshit) cost two 1st round picks and a 2nd.
He's now 4 years older, has a larger cap hit and is going to need a new high end deal. Not sure he's worth anywhere close to what he was back in 2019. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Direckshun:
Tackles are good well into their 30s brother.
It’s always a question as always of how much are we giving vs how much are we getting. I’m just saying I don’t totally like getting older at a key position if a lot of draft capital is involved. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Hammock Parties:
the deal is done
I really hate trading picks these days, especially with how amazing Veach has been hitting, but man it would be nice to have the best pass blocking LT in football protecting Mahomes. [Reply]
