Why Chiefs traded for Cameron Erving (KC Star)
 

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...170347457.html

Why Chiefs traded for Cameron Erving

Here are some quick thoughts about the Chiefs’ decision to trade a 2018 fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for center Cameron Erving.

▪ First off, Erving, 25, has had a rough two years in the league since he was taken in the first round by the Cleveland Browns in 2015. He’s started 17 games in two years, and based on social media, Browns fans appear to be happy to see him go — which is never a good sign — but the Chiefs’ decision to trade for Erving is rooted in pretty solid logic.

First off, check out my in-depth evaluation of Erving prior to the 2015 NFL Draft. I thought he was a bit of a finesse guy, someone who would be a good fit in a zone-running scheme similar to the Chiefs.’ I did have some concerns about his ability to hold up as a center, due to his height (6 feet 6) and long arms, which would allow squatty nose tackles to get under his pads and cause him to lose leverage, but worst-case scenario, I’d be surprised if he couldn’t turn into a decent guard, where his length won’t hurt him as much.

The Chiefs, however — and this is important — like him as a backup center and swing tackle. That’s a position of need, as I’ve gotten the sense the Chiefs haven’t been thrilled with what they have there (Isaiah Battle and Jah Reid are currently manning the spots). I still think Erving has some upside there, if the Chiefs can unlock it.

▪ Essentially guys, the Chiefs are getting a young, former first-round pick on the cheap. Erving is due $1,292,188 this year and $1,720,782, which are paltry sums. And they’ll have the ability to execute a fifth-year option on his rookie deal for 2019, which could be a huge bargain if they can unlock his potential.

▪ A lot of you are concerned about the Chiefs’ pick status for 2018; they only have a second, third, fourth and sixth for sure, and maybe a seventh (if it didn’t go to San Francisco in last August’s trade for Kenneth Acker). I get that, and I generally feel the same way, because picks are a source of cheap team-building pieces. But keep in mind, the Chiefs have a pretty deep roster, and remember, they are currently projected to get a fifth-round pick (by overthecap.com) due to the Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to sign Nick Foles. If they end up getting that pick, they’d have essentially dealt Foles and a fifth for Erving — a former first-rounder — and a lower fifth. That’s a pretty good win.

Look, no one is sure how it will work out. But what seems clear is that the Chiefs view the trade for Erving as a reasonable gamble, especially in a league where the offensive-line play has never been worse, and the Chiefs may not have been able to find anyone better at the 53-man roster deadline this weekend.

Just some food for thought.

He'll be a perfect backup center. He backs up expertly as he's getting ready to execute his "fall-on-my-ass" move.

As a swing tackle, he can swing like a busted cabinet door in an off-road Winnebago.

Enjoy.

Well, Andy seems to be pretty good at motivating O-Lineman so that could be ok. Which is nice.

Low risk and who gives a crap about a fifth round pick. The Browns have sucked most of my life every year so until they prove otherwise their opinion and coaching mean nothing. If he is as bad as advertised they will cut him and we've lost nothing.

What am I going to do with my Jah Reid jersey now?

He still sucks

LMAO

Nice

He would start in Denver. Backup for us.

Not that it really matters but don't they get an extra 7th from the Cardinals for Marcus Cooper?

Just in case we all forgot...

Terez Paylor is doing the job that Adam Teicher vacated when he moved to ESPN.

I still can't believe what an unbelievable blessing he's been to Chiefs media and the KC Star. Especially considering what we had for well over a decade prior to his arrival.

If somebody held a gun to my head and told me I had to **** a fat guy if I wanted to live, I'd probably choose Terez Paylor.

Browns fans being elated that he's gone seems kind of besides the point. He was a first rounder starter to them, so of course they'd be disappointed. But for us, he cost us a 5th rounder and will be a backup, so there's no sense in having huge expectations -- if he hits, that's amazing and all the more reason to love Veach, and if he continues in the direction he's been headed, no huge loss for us.

The doc-tor....Cam-eron...ERRRRRving!

I hope it works out for us really. The thought of a season ruined because of a fatty getting hurt is depressing. Like in 05 that was a playoff team but since Roaf was hurt we lost a few games we should have won.

Good read. Thanks for posting. I don't know if the comment about OL play being all time bad is supported by facts or not but overall the read was good.

It's a conditional fifth