The Kansas City Chiefs will be without linebacker Nick Bolton for the next six weeks following surgery to repair a dislocated wrist. In his absence, they may want to explore the trade market to find a replacement.
“There aren’t a lot of quality linebackers in the NFL, and most teams aren’t interested in giving them away. But one available player is Devin White, who requested a trade during the offseason,” wrote Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team on October 27. “A change in scenery could do him well, and it does appear the Buccaneers would be open to trading for him.”
Bucs’ Devin White Named Potential Trade Target for Chiefs
Devin White Could Replace Nick Bolton
White, 25, is in his fifth NFL season after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 draft. He set a career-high mark with 140 tackles in 2020 and then earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2021 en route to a Super Bowl victory.
"Devin White is a monster."
📺: #NFLTop100 on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/PYHwiSNuZJ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 15, 2022
He also had 124 tackles last season. But Mosher notes White’s “erratic” play plays a major factor in the Bucs’ potential willingness to part with him.
Add in that his tackle numbers have fallen since setting his high mark and there are concerns.
White has just two interceptions in his career. He has forced six fumbles but has only forced two in the last two-plus seasons, though he did recover three fumbles last season. Still, in the final year of his contract and with the 3-4 Buccaneers looking very much like a team in transition, he could make a ton of sense if the Chiefs don’t want to wait out Bolton’s return.
Otherwise, Willie Gay, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal all need to step up in his absence. Since it’s not a season-ending injury, the Chiefs could just stand pat. And, if they do not choose to add a linebacker, they could explore other options ahead of the October 31 trade deadline.
DeAndre Hopkins Could Fix Chiefs Wide Receiver Room
“At the wide receiver position, DeAndre Hopkins was one of the biggest prizes in free agency this season, and he is showing why that was the case,” Mosher wrote. “With the Titans in sell mode, it might be best for both parties to move him to a better situation.”
Hopkins, 31, has 376 yards on 27 receptions in 47 targets. His yardage and catch rate are both the fourth-lowest marks of his career.
The Chiefs could certainly use someone as proven as Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wideout. But Hopkins’ contract – two years, $26 million – could prove to be an insurmountable obstacle for the Chiefs who have less than $4 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. There will also be other suitors looking to add proven help at the position.
Have a day Nuk! @DeAndreHopkins up to 140 yards after this acrobatic catch
📺: Watch #TENvsIND on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/0aZqz75Loo
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 8, 2023
Mosher lists the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers as possibilities.
Chiefs Could Build Trenches with Broncos’ Garrett Bolles
Perhaps the Chiefs are comfortable enough to ride it out with their current wide receiving corps with rookie Rashee Rice coming on and the team re-acquiring Mecole Hardman from the New York Jets just this past week.
They could also turn to the trenches, according to Mosher.
He lists Denver Broncos left tackle Garrett Bolles as a potential trade target, though the obvious drawbacks of working with a division rival apply.
Does Denver really want to help the Chiefs, even if it would ultimately help them? Do the Chiefs was to help the Broncos alleviate some of their future concerns, taking a soon-to-be rising cap number off their hands and forking over draft capital (i.e. cheap labor) to do it? For those reasons and more, Bolles is probably off the table.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
