New England Patriots Should Trade for Chiefs’ CB Sean Smith
While the combination Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Justin Coleman has been getting the job done, the New England Patriots could certainly use some more depth at the cornerback position. Trades are more rare in the NFL than other sports, but Bill Belichick has never been afraid to go out and get a guy who he thinks can help his team.
With the Kansas City Chiefs sitting with a brutal record of 2-5, they could be looking to unload some expiring contract for draft pick compensation. Cornerback Sean Smith will become a free agent this off season, and the Chiefs having little to play for the rest of the season, they might as well try to get some value out of a guy like Smith.
I think Smith is a logical trade candidate, and a recent idea of moving him to the Patriots makes a lot of sense for both sides. On Wednesday, Gil Brandt of NFL.com listed a handful of trades that would make sense around the league. Smith to the Patriots was mentioned in the piece, and it is certainly an intriguing idea. Here is what Brandt had to say about the possible trade:
"Three years ago, Bill Belichick successfully landed some needed cornerback help when he plucked Aqib Talib from the Bucs. This season, Smith could be Belichick’s Talib. The seventh-year pro fits the Patriots’ mold as a tall (6-foot-3) corner with long arms, and he could really help their secondary. I could see him moving for a sixth-rounder."
Smith is a big, aggressive and athletic cornerback who would instantly become the Patriots’ most talented player at the position. Brandt’s mention of the Talib trade from a few years ago makes a strong comparison. Talib was absolutely huge for the Patriots down the stretch that season, and Smith is a player who could make a similar impact.
If Brandt is right and all it would take is a sixth-round pick (why wouldn’t the Chiefs want to deal him?), then I think New England needs to jump all over this. Finding even competent players at the cornerback position in the middle of the season is difficult, let alone a player of Smith’s caliber.
The Patriots have a need at the position, and must at least look into this opportunity. It makes too much sense to not try.
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