It’s been a little while since the Kansas City Chiefs traded up in the first round of the NFL Draft. But that could change Thursday night.
The Chiefs have the last pick in the first round (No. 32 overall) and cornerback, wide receiver and offensive tackle are all positions of need. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said if the right opportunity comes along to move up and acquire a player they have targeted with a first-round grade, they’ll pounce — just like in 2022 when they traded up to select cornerback Trent McDuffie.
“There could be a window there where we have an opportunity to get a guy,” Veach said. “Then it’s just weighing the cost. If it is a corner, an O-lineman or a receiver, we’re probably going to give up the opportunity to take that other position later in the draft. Is one guy that you have a first-round grade on better than two guys that you have maybe a second- and third-round grade on?
“It’s just weighing that formula for us. That’s where it comes down to — the value of that guy that falls. If he’s one of those guys that you really have as a top 10, top 12 pick, I think you do it, like Trent McDuffie’s situation. I think if it’s one of those guys we’ll certainly be aggressive and hopefully we can find a trading partner.”
When the Chiefs drafted McDuffie, they moved up eight spots to No. 21 to get him by sending three picks to New England. While Veach admitted that finding a trading partner when you’re the two-time defending Super Bowl champs could be challenging, there are still ways to make it work. It’ll just cost a little more.
“It’s always been understood that if you’re going to deal with a team in your division that there’s going to be a little bit more of a premium,” Veach said. “I think just some of the AFC teams in general that are consistent playoff performers — the Buffalo’s, the Cincinnati’s, the Baltimore’s — it’s probably a little bit harder to deal with those teams.
“Even if they do pick up the phone, I think some of their asking prices are a tick higher. I think we get hit with a little bit more of interest. I think there is always a way to make a deal. But yeah, some of the teams will probably up the price a little bit.”
But the Chiefs have gladly paid the extra freight for McDuffie, and, of course, Patrick Mahomes. They might have to do it again for a wide receiver given the Rashee Rice situation could result in a suspension for his involvement in a high-speed car crash last month in Dallas.
Texas wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, as well as Georgia’s Ladd McConkey could be possibilities for the Chiefs in the first round. Veach, however, said the Rice situation doesn’t necessarily mean the Chiefs will indeed pick a wideout in the first round.
“It’s one of those scenarios where there are a lot of positions that would make sense for us,” Veach said. “And again, you start at the O-line, D-line and receiver positions. It’s a long season, and depth is super important to us.”
