Chiefs' Draft Strategy: Trade Up, Target Needs

On April 3, the Kansas City Chiefs hold the 9th and 29th overall picks in the 2026 NFL

draft, giving General Manager Brett, each real ammo to wheel and deal.

Their iron trades up from that 9th spot may be pairing it with their 40th overall second

rounder to jump all the way to 4th with the Titans, worth about 1800 points on the trade

chart, or link the 9th with the 74th pick to snack 6th from Cleveland or 7th from Washington

smarter value around 1500 to 1600 points.

That kind of move, net's premium talent the Chiefs crave, like Ed Rushers, David Bailey

from Texas, or Ruben Bain from Miami, or receivers such as Carnell Tate from Ohio State.

It's aggressive, especially for 4th, but jumping the 6th feels justified with their defensive

end and wide receiver holes screaming for upgrades.

As an analyst see this as high stakes chess, echoing past moves like grabbing Trent McDuffy,

the impact, landing a game-changer could reset their edge, but it means burning mid-round

picks in a draft, suddenly looking deeper with blue chip studs.

From the 29th, Veach could flip it with the 74th for 19th overall from Carolina, or craft

combo deals like trading, 29th and 74th to Philly, for 23rd, plus their 98th keeping pick

count, even while climbing.

Bottom line.

The Chiefs are primed to dance up and down the board, targeting needs without gut and capital,

then maybe flipping late picks back with.

Teams like Chicago, or Jacksonville, to reload.

This draft shapes their Dynasty run no cap.

That's your update from NFL News Today, powered by AI.