NFL Trade Machine: Vincent Jackson To Kansas City Chiefs
By Erik Lambert
Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) catches a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
In another overview of possible NFL deadline trades, would the Kansas City Chiefs make a run at wide receiver Vincent Jackson?
Dwayne Bowe not much help to Alex Smith
From the perspective of the Chiefs, the deal is obvious. Kansas City is a running football team that wins their games through defensive, ground attack and controlled passing by Alex Smith. Still, it’s clear if they want to make any sort of noise if and when they do reach the playoffs, they have to find a way to get more explosive in the passing game. Having a #1 receiver would do wonders but their investment in Dwayne Bowe has not paid off as hoped. The 30-year old has 19 catches for 279 yards and no touchdowns in five games this year. That is not production worthy of the massive contract the team gave him. The time may be right for a change.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers seeking future assets and Jackson is big chip
Vincent Jackson is 31-years old. So he isn’t a spring chicken but he still has gas in the tank and at 6’5″ offers a very inviting target for whomever his quarterback is. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staring at a lost season, they are entering fire sale mode and could be on the lookout for future assets including draft picks and cap space. That makes a productive veteran like Jacksonv an intriguing chip on the trade market. Reports are coming in that the Bucs have already received numerous calls about him, so it’s merely a question of sifting through the rubble to find an offer that works.
The Kansas City Chiefs have plenty of incentive to join in that race. Jackson is better in almost every way than Bowe and could become that go-to target Smith really hasn’t had since he got there. In return the Buccaneers could get a decent draft pick and clear $12.4 million off the books. Naturally the hard part will be whether the Chiefs can find the space.