ESPN trade pitch sends Wanya Morris to Falcons in move Chiefs might regret

General manager Brett Veach is no stranger to some last-minute tinkering with the Kansas City Chiefs roster when active roster cuts are due. He's made a dozen trades since he took over the post in 2017, sending extra players out for future draft assets and bringing others in to bolster areas of need.

The Chiefs have already reunited with defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi and sent away wide receiver Skyy Moore in preseason deals in 2025. ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes another could be on the way featuring offensive tackle Wanya Morris.

In his latest column filled with preseason trade ideas, Barnwell has the Chiefs sending Morris to the Atlanta Falcons along with a future sixth-round choice in 2027 for cornerback Clark Phillips.

Are the Chiefs really putting Wanya Morris on the trade block this preseason?

Morris joined the Chiefs as a former third-round choice in the 2023 NFL Draft and settled into an oft-used swing tackle role. He has 15 starts in the last two seasons and 31 appearances overall.

The Chiefs might feel comfortable dealing Morris for some value given the presence of Jaylon Moore, who could serve as a sixth man outside. Moore was signed to compete at left tackle, but has shifted to the right side in camp with the presence of Josh Simmons in the blindside role. Jawaan Taylor is still the starting right tackle for now, however, so Morris could be available.

That said, Taylor has dealt with numerous injuries, and Moore and Simmons are both new. The drop from Morris to the next player on the roster is considerable. Esa Pole and Ethan Driskell are both serious projects, and while the upside is nice to have on hand, they're not ready for the on-deck circle.

As for the return in this deal, the secondary has been littered with injury concerns for the Chiefs through training camp. Kristian Fulton was on the Physically Unable to Play list for the majority of their time in St. Joseph. Jaylen Watson and Nohl Williams both landed in the team's concussion protocol. Nazeeh Johnson has been limited with a shoulder concern.

It makes sense, then, for the Chiefs to think about further corner depth, but it's hard to say if Phillips really better than what the Chiefs have on hand, given his tackling limitations. Barnwell notes he's a questionable tackler and PFF specific grades back that up (43.6 in 2024). He's solid in coverage, but Steve Spagnuolo has little patience for corners who can't wrap up the ball carrier.

Barnwell also has the Chiefs throwing in a late-round pick in 2027 here, which gives Atlanta even more assets in a deal that's already a bit questionable for the Chiefs. Is it a deal worth doing when K.C. could just promote Kevin Knowles, who impressed in the preseason?

Considering how often the Chiefs have gone deep into the bullpen along the front line, it might not be worth sending out Morris unless there's more value in return.