Daily Dr. Roto — April 24, 2019
KC Trades For DE Frank Clark – Mistake-in-Chief
The Kansas City Chiefs made a blockbuster trade yesterday when they acquired DE Frank Clark from the Seattle Seahawks. The Chiefs gave up the #29 overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, a 2020 second-round pick, and swapped 2019 third-round picks with Seattle to get the deal done.
It seems like an awful lot to give up for a player who is not considered to be a game changer on defense. To his credit, Clark has 32 sacks in the past three seasons, but he alone is not enough to change the fortunes of Kansas City’s defensive struggles.
Moreover, what confuses the situation is that the Chiefs gave Clark an enormous contract. Clark signed a five year/$105.5M deal that includes $63.5 million guaranteed. This is similar to the agreement that Demarcus Lawrence recently signed with Dallas.
The Chiefs move also is surprising in that they might be in desperate need of a wide receiver if the NFL decides to suspend WR Tyreek Hill for his involvement in domestic violence issues. Currently, there is a police investigation in the matter, and when that has been decided, the NFL will make its judgment. There is a distinct possibility that Hill will be suspended for at least part of the 2019 season. By giving up their 2019 first-round pick, the Chiefs have given up the potential of drafting a WR they could have selected in the first round and held for a fifth-year rookie deal. With little to no depth behind Hill and Sammy Watkins, this might be problematic for their offense.
After the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs realized that their defense was not good enough to make it to the Super Bowl and by getting Clark they are taking a huge step in correcting their defensive problems. However, the NFL landscape has shown that it is better to draft wisely and spend money on contracts only for star players who can be real difference makers to avoid salary cap fiascos. Is Clark that big of a difference maker? I don’t think so. The price the Chiefs paid was steep and reeked of desperation.
Claim a Dynasty Orphan or Sign up for a high-stakes Dynasty Startup!
New league price points: $75, $150, $299, $500, $1000 and of course, huge cash payouts to the winners!
