Chiefs Predicted to Add 7,000-Yard RB in ‘No-Brainer’ Move
The Kansas City Chiefs have steadied the ship after an 0-2 start, pulling back to 2-2 and improving on offense with the return of second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
While the Chiefs have more reinforcements on the way for their passing game with the return of Rashee Rice in Week 7, one analyst believes the team could use more help on the ground. The Chiefs have struggled to establish a running game at times, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes serving as the most effective rusher through the first month.
That could change with the addition of a 7,000-yard rusher who could be an affordable buy at the NFL trade deadline.
Chiefs Turn to Pro Bowler for Help
SI.com’s Matt Verderame cooked up potential trades for all 32 NFL teams ahead of the deadline, suggesting the Chiefs could land New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara for a fifth-round pick. Verderame noted that Kansas City’s passing game will likely continue to improve, and Kamara can do the same for the rushing attack.
With Xavier Worthy back and Rashee Rice due back from suspension in Week 7, the Chiefs don’t need receiving help. However, they could use serious help in the run game,” Verderame wrote. Kansas City’s running backs are averaging 3.5 yards per carry, with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt both slated to become free agents. “
Verderame added that it would be an easy decision if the Chiefs could add the multi-talented Kamara, who has more than 7,000 rushing and 4,800 receiving yards in his career. Though he has seen a dip in production in recent years, Kamara would still be the best tailback in Kansas City’s backfield.
If the Chiefs can acquire Kamara from New Orleans for a late-round pick, it’s a no-brainer,” Verderame wrote. “Kansas City has only $3 million in cap space, but Kamara’s cap hit is a proration of $2.9 million before a nonguaranteed 11.5 million next year. Through four games, Kamara has 256 rushing yards and a touchdown.”
Chiefs Could Find Other Trade-Deadline Targets
If the Chiefs aim to add some rushing help at the upcoming trade deadline, they could have some other targets in mind. ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested that the Jacksonville Jaguars could look into trading running back Travis Etienne Jr. as part of a months-long shakeup in the backfield that started with the trade of Tank Bigsby.
The Jaguars drafted Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of this year’s draft and then took passing-down back LeQuint Allen Jr. in the seventh,” Graziano noted. Those two probably form the future of the team’s backfield; Jacksonville already traded Tank Bigsby to the Eagles. If the Jaguars fall out of contention and want to get a longer look at their rookies, Etienne and his $6.143 million salary would probably be pretty easy to move.
Others have suggested the Chiefs could target Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, as the Dolphins are expected to move into selling mode. The season-ending injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill could complicate Miami’s plans, however, as the team is now short of talent on offense and their win over the New York Jets has kept them on the fringes of playoff contention.
Lions Get Tough Sign on Key Defensive Back
The Detroit Lions already lost one starting member of the secondary in Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns, and now could be at risk of missing a third for their upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Safety Kerby Joseph missed practice on Thursday, the second straight day that the starting safety was not able to practice. Joseph has been dealing with an injured knee and could be at risk of missing this week’s game, forcing the Lions to rely on their secondary depth.
Lions Could Turn to Veteran Backup
As John Maakaron of SI.com noted, Joseph has been dealing with an injured knee since training camp and the issue has flared up this week. If Joseph is not able to play this week, the Lions have a veteran backup ready to fill in.
“Avonte Maddox is a veteran the team has grown comfortable relying upon,” Maakaron wrote. “He filled in when Joseph missed action in Week 4. His versatility has given the coaching staff added comfort, should the team need to call upon him again this week.”
The safety group has been one of the biggest strengths of Detroit’s defense, with Joseph and fellow safety Brian Branch widely considered the best duo in the NFL. Before the season, SI.com’s Christian Booher noted the Lions have plenty of versatility with the pair.
The Lions have the league’s best safety duo in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Joseph was an All-Pro selection last season after leading the league in interceptions, while Branch had another strong year showcasing his elite versatility,” Booher wrote.
Booher added that their ability to move around the secondary allows the Lions to take an aggressive approach against opposing offenses.
With the skill sets of both players, the Lions have plenty of options when it comes to alignment in the secondary,” Booher wrote. “Joseph has grown immensely as a tackler and can play in the box for a spell, and Branch has shown that he can play both in the box as well as the deep part of the field.”
Lions Dealing With More Injuries
While the Lions have not yet indicated whether Joseph could miss this week’s game, the team already ruled out one cornerback and could lose another. The team placed starter D.J. Reed on injured reserve this week with a hamstring injury, with the expectation that he will be able to return later this year.
Reed said he was initially worried that the injury was much more serious.
“I thought I tore it off the bone,” Reed told the Detroit Free Press. “I thought it was a wrap. But that’s not the case, thank God.”
Cornerback Terrion Arnold was also hurt in last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns, but he has been able to return to practice and has a chance of playing against the Bengals. The Lions did bring in some reinforcements, signing safety Loren Strickland and linebacker Ty Summers from the practice squad. The Lions also signed cornerbacks Tre Flowers and Nick Whiteside to the practice squad.
