Buy: Draft Picks, Sell: Jared Allen

It’s not often that a disruptive force such as Jared Allen who led the league in sacks a year ago and is entering the prime of his career is the subject of so many heated trade talks. 

The operative word there is “disruptive”.  At this point Allen is more disruptive towards his own team than he is to opposing offenses.  Had the Chiefs actually won half their games a year ago this probably wouldn’t be an issue.  However, even though the pro-bowler was reeking havoc in opposing backfields and even catching touchdown passes the Chiefs could only muster four wins, the last of which came in October.

Just because Allen wasn’t proposing to cheerleaders or performing CPR on the ball after his two touchdowns doesn’t make him any different than another disruptive force, Chad Johnson. Both are unhappy playing for a below average franchise and are at odds with management on their respective teams.

The only difference is what Allen can garner in the form of draft picks.  Great teams build through the draft whereas teams that do it through free agency are typically nothing more than good.  The Chiefs haven’t been great for 39 years. Carl Peterson built a foundation of mediocrity that provided and unparalleled mark of consistency—consistently well though, never great.

If the Chiefs don’t deal Allen they are still in a position to have a tremendous draft.  The question for Chiefs fans is this:  Do you really want someone playing for your team who has made it abundantly clear he is unhappy? While he may be a game-changer, was he really single handedly responsible for any of those astronomical four wins a year ago? His loyalty has been compromised and there is no room for someone like that on team in rebuilding mode.

With Allen’s troubled past the Chiefs have a no-brainer on their hands, sell high.  The simple fact is with repeat DUI offenders the likelihood they commit a crime again grows exponentially with each subsequent offense.  Does this mean he will do so? No, but if he doesn’t steer clear than a trade would be the greatest steal since the Herschel Walker deal.

And if Allen walks the straight and narrow, makes pro-bowl after pro-bowl with the Vikings, builds a hall of fame resume, then good for him.  Jared Allen is only a human being and has the inherent right to pursue happiness.  

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have an opportunity to build on the most lucrative draft classes in NFL history with speculation that if Allen is dealt they could have as many as nine first day picks. That would be a foundation that even an F5 tornado could not displace.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m all for shipping him out of here if the price is right.  I wasn’t so keen to the idea, however, when the news first broke.  But I now believe that Carl Peterson is attempting to change his ways.  He is seeing Jared Allen’s malcontent as an opportunity rather than a burden; as a chance to roll the dice and go for broke because this is, in all honesty, a team with nothing to lose.  They have zero expectations to make any waves in 2008 and would be fortunate to make it to .500.

It saddens me to say it but Saturday’s draft could actually be the high point for Chief fans this year and if Carl Peterson doesn’t crap out in the draft they could realistically compete for a division title as early as 2009.  This is a rebuilding year and there is no reason to sugar-coat it with a despondent Jared Allen when the roster could have some promising young prospects who actually want to be here.

Let’s say this deal gets done and the Chiefs have seven first day picks. 

How would these guys look in red and gold?
 

Ryan Clady OT Boise St.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St.
Quentin Groves DE Auburn
Anthony Collins OT Kansas
Mario Manningham WR Michigan
Trae Williams CB South Florida
Mike Pollack, C Arizona State

Dreaming??? Not so fast.