If you're going to spend two 1's for a pass rusher you might as well move up in the draft and get one of the top two in the draft. Gregory or Fowler, possibly Ray. That way you don't kill your salary CAP.
Those three guys are possible top ten-selections. To move up that far it would at least cost close to two first round-picks, and in that case I would rather go for Justin Houston. As for the salary cap-implications, one of the reasons - if not the primary - that I am comfortable with spending big in free agency is that the team has Mike Disner. It seems to me that he's a salary cap phenom, and I think that if anyone can make it work, it's him.
However, I also think there is more variables to a possible trade for Justin Houston. First of all, for years he has played in a very good defense with the Chiefs. In front of him they have arguably the most dominant nose tackle in the league the last couple of years in Dontari Poe, and they also have some very good defensive ends in Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard. Across from Houston they have a highly skilled edge rusher in Tamba Hali, and to spell the two starters they have a first round-pick in Dee Ford. I think Justin Houston is a fantastic player but I also think he has had very good circumstances to do his thing, and I don't know that the Cardinals has the same kind of dominant front seven. I mean, Calais Campbell would most likely occupy some blockers but I don't think anyone else command that much attention from the offense.
Secondly, I think that it should be noted that Justin Houston has produced at a very high level for years. To me, that minimize the risk of giving up picks and a huge contract since it would seem that he's not just chasing money like some other players might be. I think it's likely that he will continue to play like a mad man.
Third, if I was in charge of the Chiefs I would not give up on Houston yet, and frankly I was surprised they didn't give him their exclusive franchise tag, and thus make it impossible for other teams to even think about going after him. I guess you could argue that now they at least get something in return if they lose him but I don't get why they are willing to take the risk at all. As for Steve Keim, Mike Disner and their boys I think this indicates that the Chiefs are confident they can match any contract offer Houston might get, and thus if they were to go after him I think they would have to really put together a stunning contract offer.
Fourth, I still haven't quite learned to live with the fact that the enormous brain trust, as it relates to the draft, of Rod Graves and Ken Whisenhunt made the amazing decision of selection Rob Housler one pick ahead of Justin Houston. I remember how much guys on this board, like for example Mitch, advocated for selecting Justin Houston. I would like for Keim, Arians and everyone else to make it up for those posters, and at least to me, it would be worth it as I don't think Houston would be quite the same gamble as a rookie or maybe Greg Hardy. With those options I think it's a possibility but with Houston I'm pretty confident any team would be getting a playmaker, highly productive bookend and building block for years to come.
