The Chiefs franchised tagged Dee Ford and are now looking to trade him, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport also said the Packers and the 49ers are the two teams most interested in Ford, and the Chiefs are looking for a second-round pick. Ford had 13 sacks last year and would instantly become the Packers’ best edge rusher.
Mike Smith, the new outside linebackers coach in Green Bay, already knows Ford from their time together in Kansas City last year. He knows how to optimize Ford’s talent and how to coach him.
However, there are some concerns with Ford.
Ford had a lackluster career up until a contract year. He was rarely healthy and, if you’re the Packers, you have to worry that this might be a Nick Perry situation all over again.
However, trading for Ford opens up a lot of possibilities for the team, too. They can go in multiple directions with the No. 12 and No. 30 picks. Ford was ranked the best edge rusher by Pro Football Focus last year, and players like that are rarely on the trade block.
The only reason Ford is available is because the Chiefs are going to have to pay Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill soon, and need to free up some salary cap space.
After missing out on Mack last year, the Packers can’t miss out on Ford.
A possible trade could be the 44th pick for Ford, or potentially the 44th pick and the Packers’ fourth-round pick for Ford and the 63rd pick.
If the Chiefs are willing to do the deal, the Packers should make the move.
However, if the Packers think Ford is too much to go after, they could try to get Justin Houston, who is also on the trade block.
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