Could the Chiefs destroy the rest of the NFL with a Jonathan Taylor trade? Here's what a possible trade package to the Colts could look like.
In case you've been living under a rock, the NFL running back situation is reaching critical mass and now at the heart of it is Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor who, after failed (or a lack of) extension talks with the franchise as he enters the final year of his contract, has requested a trade.
Whether or not that trade comes to fruition is up for debate, especially with a report on Sunday that the Colts could put Taylor on the Non-Football Injury List, which would keep them from paying the running back during training camp.
If there is a trade, though, one of the teams that could insert itself into the mix, albeit as a true wild card in this situation, could be the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. For as good as this team is behind Patrick Mahomes, the running back room is devoid of true star power — apologies to Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon — and could be taken over the top by adding a star of Taylor's caliber to the fold.
But what would that cost the Chiefs? Let's take a look at the possible trade package that might be able to bring Jonathan Taylor to Kansas City.
NFL rumors: Chiefs trade package to steal Jonathan Taylor from Colts
Based on the reporting on Taylor's situation combined with common sense and reasons (by my estimation) here's how the Chiefs could burn the rest of the NFL to the ground and land the star running back from the Colts in a trade.
ESPN's Stephen Holder reported immediately following Taylor's trade request that the Colts, should the be inclined to move the running back, would be looking for an early-round pick in return. For the Chiefs, however, that does present a slight conundrum.
The fact of the matter is that Kansas City, barring catastrophe, isn't going to have highly valuable draft picks. Instead, they are sure to be picking at the end of each round, especially if they can go back-to-back as Super Bowl champions.
While I refuse to believe any NFL team is trading a first-round pick for a running back in this economy at the position, a second-rounder is feasible, particularly for a team like the Chiefs who will all but surely be selecting outside of the Top 50 when it comes to Round 2. Having said that, that could require Brett Veach and Kansas City to pony up an additional future Day 3 pick in order to get a trade done, but that would still be worth it.
That could be a huge upgrade for the Chiefs, though. This is a team that, despite the obvious Mahomes and Travis Kelce factors, has plenty of questions with its offensive weapons. Solidifying the run game and perhaps making it elite behind this offensive line could ease any concerns there quite a bit and further open the passing game up for Mahomes and more unproven receivers.
It feels like there is still a lot of mileage to be logged with the Jonathan Taylor trade saga at this point. But if Kansas City gets in the mix, the rest of the NFL might be better off just forfeiting the season and awarding Andy Reid's team another ring.