Tweet
Wichita Trade Away Safety
With opening day 2021 fast approaching, there has been relatively little trade action across the league this pre-season.
Yesterday, the Wichita Outlaws negotiated a deal with the Houston Renegades which saw 3rd year Strong Safety, Adam Marsh, join the Renegades in return for Houston's 2022 2nd rd pick.
The 6'03ft, 199lbs Marsh was selected by Wichita with the 5.1 pick in the 2019 draft.
Originally a cornerback, the Louisiana - Lafayette alumni was switched to Strong Safety as the Outlaws tried to fill the SS starting role in their pre Scottie Diaz days.
In his rookie year, Marsh was thrown into the deep end starting 12 games for the Outlaws.
Indeed, through his first two seasons in the pros, Marsh has uncommon experience for a young 5th rd draft selection with 21 starts.
He has shown good development year on year with a 77.4 PDPct through the 2020 season.
However, the well rounded strong safety fell down the depth chart when Scottie Diaz joined Wichita from Reno for two 2nd rd picks prior to the 2020 season.
After the terms of the trade deal with Houston were announced, we caught up with Outlaws' GM, UKPatfan:
Q: "UKP, Marsh is a young, emerging player who was on a cheap multi-year contract. Why trade him?"
UKP: "We were actually happy to keep Adam on the team but to be frank we had a log jam at the safety position.
We felt we could move a guy out and get a decent pick in return without damaging the roster.
We like the two starters Diaz and Romine at safety.
One of Lorenzo Emmons or Marsh was not gonna see an awful lot of playing time this season and the decision was made to let one go."
"Emmons had a great camp and initially it looked like he might be the player going through the door but we were unable to agree terms with Houston who were in the market for a starting safety.
The focus switched to Marsh and the two GM's agreed the deal."
Q: "Do you feel a 2nd rd pick represents good value for Marsh?"
UKP: "I feel it was a fair price for both teams.
Marsh is a talented young player who should perform well for the Renegades for years to come.
He wasn't going to start for Wichita and needed the chance to move on to prove that he can start long term in the IFL.
He does have the skill set to succeed.
He has to work on his hands, haul in a few picks and he needs to show he can play with some consistency and hold his own in a base defence.
If he continues to work hard he will be fine and we wish him well.
We feel we have made a nice profit on what was a 5th rd draft pick and with the additional 2nd in next years draft, we have some extra currency to work with as we look to fill some offensive holes."
Q: "Thanks for your time UKP."