According to reports, the Indianapolis Colts have shown interest in a possible trade for L’Jarius Sneed, the cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following the Chiefs’ decision to apply the non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed before the Tuesday deadline, multiple teams, including the Colts, have expressed their interest in acquiring him.
Sneed still has permission to seek a trade despite the designation. A person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports that the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have expressed interest in the Chiefs corner.
Given the Colts’ significant need at the cornerback position, L’Jarius Sneed is considered a top target for their front office. Sneed has consistently improved his performance each season in the NFL and had a breakout year, contributing to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl success.
According to statistics from Pro Football Focus, Sneed allowed 53 receptions on 102 targets (52%), with an average of 10.3 yards per reception and a 66.0 passer rating in coverage during the 2023 season.
While the Colts have promising second-year cornerback Julius Brents on the boundary, his ability to stay healthy is still a concern. Additionally, Jaylon Jones, another second-year corner, has shown potential but may be better suited for a rotational depth role rather than a full-time starter.
Acquiring a player like Sneed would come at a significant cost for the Colts. It is expected that they would have to part with at least a Day 2 draft pick and negotiate a contract extension with Sneed.
Finding a player of L’Jarius Sneed’s caliber, who possesses both exceptional talent and a seamless fit within Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme, is a rare occurrence. Consequently, the potential availability of Sneed in the trade market is definitely a situation worth monitoring closely.
