Chiefs Trade Tank Tyler To Panthers

Monday evening reports indicate that Chiefs' nose tackle Tank Tyler has been traded to the Carolina Panthers for a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft.

Another Chiefs' defensive lineman, Glenn Dorsey, had been mentioned more frequently in recent trade rumors. That, coupled with Tyler starting two games this season and being ranked fourth among Chiefs in tackles with 22, makes this move surprising.

Tyler seemed to be making strides in his transition to the 3-4 nose tackle position. Earlier this year, head coach Todd Haley mentioned that when Tyler came out of college, his trademark was playing with nastiness, and that he wanted to see more.

With Tyler gone, the Chiefs have only one other nose tackle on the active roster or practice squad - Ron Edwards, who started the last four games. That may indicate another move is on the way. It's unlikely the Chiefs will move forward with just one nose tackle.

It is possible Dorsey will make the move inside, but unlikely considering the coaching staff's demand this preseason that Dorsey shed weight. Nose tackles in the 3-4 are traditionally much larger than Dorsey.

We have no intelligence as to what the next move will be, but a signing or another trade would make sense. It's also possible we have not yet heard the end of the deal with the Panthers. The Chiefs previously made trades with Miami and New England that both involved two players. In both instances, only one name was reported at a time.

Tyler is the 13th Chief drafted by former head coach Herm Edwards to either be traded or released. That's exactly half of Edwards' draft picks and only two players from the 2007 draft - Dwayne Bowe and Kolby Smith - are still in Kansas City.

Tyler returns to the state where he played college football as a member of the North Carolina State Wolfpack.