What we learned from the line job for linebacker Darron Lee (Jets)

On Wednesday night, we had a surprise: the Kansas City Chiefs traded their sixth-round pick in 2020 against linebacker Darron Lee of the New York Jets.

What can we learn from this move?

Chiefs considered linebacker a necessity, but not a big one

Their most important move to the position so far this year was the signing of a 26-year contract. sat Linebacker Damien Wilson, who has already played for the Dallas Cowboys. For OverTheCap, Wilson reached only $ 1.9 million in 2019 and has no collateral in 2020; If he's eliminated after this season, the leaders will only have to absorb that $ 875,000 in death money from his signature bonus.

The Chiefs also signed former Jets linebacker Jeremiah "Jerry" Attaochu as part of a one-year minimum agreement with a veteran who will cost $ 805,000 against the cap in 2019.

The Chiefs did not spend any choice on linebackers but signed unprepared rookies Gary Johnson of Texas and Darius Harris of Middle Tennessee. Harris – following an injury – may not be available in 2019.

None of these required a significant capital investment to raise capital or venture capital – and that did not change with Lee's signature. Lee's rookie contract will remain in effect with the Chiefs. The Jets had previously chosen not to exercise their fifth-year option on his contract. Lee has essentially signed a one-year contract that will cost him $ 1.8 million against the cap. the Jets will be on the hook for what's left of his original signing bonus.

The entries to sat, Mike and Will remains unknown

Here at Arrowhead Pride, we most think Wilson will start to sat (strong linebacker), Anthony Hitchens will start at Mike (central linebacker) and Dorian O'Daniel will begin to Will (weak linebacker) in Figure 4-3 of Steve Spagnuolo. But there is still much speculation on this subject; opinions vary.

Lee's signature does not give us much clarity. Like Attaochu, Lee plays in a 3-4 pattern with the Jets, so there is no obvious indicator of his place in a 4-3. For the Cowboys, Wilson and Hitchens played sat and Mike respectively – one of the factors we take into account when we designate them as beginner leaders at these positions – but we had to learn all three.

The sporty one Nate Taylor says he was told that Lee will be competing with O'Daniel to be the departure Will linebacker, but the fact remains that most of Lee's shots for the Jets were inside the linebacker. We will just have to see how that goes.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Chefs could (or could not) be made with splashing motions

According to OverTheCap, the chefs had about $ 16.7 million of available space before the exchange. With this figure, the figure will fall to about $ 15.4 million – Lee's contract will cost $ 1.8 million and $ 570,000 will be added, with Zack Golditch's contract falling below the threshold of 51 players. On June 2, Eric Berry's contract will be canceled, adding an additional $ 9 million in total, or $ 9.5 million in capitalization savings, less Golditch's contract when it rises above threshold.

So there is enough room for the leaders to take a big step forward. Many fans want one. There have been rumors that the Chiefs would be an ideal landing spot for cornerback Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals, who would be unhappy – but so far this is nothing but speculation. It seems to have started with an article by John Breech, of CBS Sports, a week ago, in which it was stated that traders could trade their choice between the first round and seven others in the NFL.

And now that Peterson is suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, Peterson's commercial offerings could be reduced.

At least for the moment, all we are sure of is that the chiefs are careful to keep both their ceiling and their capital. Whether they intend to make another important decision – or keep a cap for the next deal they want to sign with Chris Jones, or even for the biggest deal with Patrick Mahomes – remains to be seen .

This movement went under the radar

Although many New York (and national) writers have speculated that Lee could be a commercial target after the Jets have refused to exercise his option for the fifth year – even the first one. article cited earlier by John Breech suggested an exchange between Lee and the Bengals of Cincinnati – it seems had not signaled significantly that this agreement was in preparation.

But according to Illustrated Sports Writer MMQB Albert Breerthe leaders had been negotiating with the Jets for "a few weeks".

BREER: The previous regime had discussed a Lee trade with the chiefs for a few weeks and was holding out by asking for a fifth round pick. Shortly after Maccagnan's dismissal, Kansas City felt the opportunity and called to offer his sixth round pick in 2020 to Lee, whom the Chiefs consider to be one of the best linebackers in pure football coverage. As Acting Director General, I am told that it is Gase who has reached an agreement that was quickly finalized.

This shows that the leaders were ready to delay the agreement on the difference between a fifth and sixth round choice for a "See as one of the best pure coverage linebackers in football" – another indication that they are paying attention to their resources. And it also shows that although we often hear about negotiated contracts before they are concluded, if they wish, the NFL teams can keep this kind of negotiation secret.

Brett Veach loves to take leaflets with former draft contestants

There are now five former first-round picks on the list of leaders – and three of them have been chosen by other teams. Lee will join Sammy Watkins and Cam Erving in First round of Brett Veach's Castoff Club – including Reggie Ragland (41st in the second round by the Buffalo Bills in 2016) and Frank Clark (63rd in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2015) are honorary members.

Lee will need a new number

As a member of the Jets, Lee wore 58. That's not going to work in Kansas City. 43 seems to be available – and Lee wore 43 to Ohio State. Slam dunk!