If Titans miss on Jadeveon Clowney, they should trade for Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Jones

How much would it cost?

Let’s start with the money. My best guess would be that the Tennessee Titans would have to pay him somewhere between $22-19 million per year.

That top number comes from the fact that Aaron Donald is the league’s best defensive tackle and he is making $22.5 million per year and he is doing that in California where they are taxed incredibly hard. In Tennessee, there is no state income tax so even if the deal is smaller on paper the money comes out to be more after taxes

As for the bottom number, $19 million feels like it would be a better representation of the actual dollar amount that Chris Jones would take home in a deal that is comparable to Aaron Donald’s deal.

I think you are more likely to see a “fake” $22 million deal with average guarantees and not a lot of dead cap at the end because players and agents like to “win” contract negotiations. In reality, a deal structured to be cheaper with more guaranteed would probably be the right choice.

As for the draft compensation, the Chiefs are staring down the barrel of a 3-week deadline where they have to be under the cap by the day of the draft. That means that every day motivates both parties to make a deal.

That should move both parties closer and closer together to a deal, but I just don’t know that the Chiefs will take anything less than the Titans first-round pick given the Titans are picking at 29.

However, if Jadeveon Clowney is too expensive or if he chooses to go to the Seattle Seahawks, then it isn’t time to panic. Instead, Robinson should be chatting with the Chiefs right now just putting out feelers in case a deal is to be had.

Then, even if they haven’t resolved the situation with Clowney the Titans should go all-in on Chris Jones, that is just how good he is.