The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a disappointing Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they are not resting on their laurels. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs are eyeing a potential trade up in the 2023 NFL draft to land a top-tier prospect.
Fowler reported on SportsCenter that the Chiefs have been doing their homework on some of the best players in this year’s draft class, especially at positions of need such as offensive line, edge rusher and linebacker.
He said that the Chiefs are willing to part with some of their future picks to move up from their current spot at No. 31 in the first round.
“They’re not afraid to be aggressive,” Fowler said. “They’ve done this before with Patrick Mahomes, they’ve done this with Frank Clark. They know they have a window here with Mahomes and they want to maximize it.”
Fowler mentioned several names that the Chiefs could target if they trade up, such as Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal, Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean.
He said that the Chiefs are looking for players who can make an immediate impact and help them get back to the Super Bowl.
“They want difference-makers,” Fowler said. “They want guys who can come in and play right away and help them win another championship.”
The Chiefs have a history of trading up in the draft under general manager Brett Veach. In 2017, they moved up from No. 27 to No. 10 to select Mahomes, who has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league and led them to two consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
In 2019, they traded up from No. 29 to No. 21 to pick wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who has been a dynamic playmaker for their offense. In 2020, they traded up from No. 63 to No. 56 to draft running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who had a solid rookie season before getting injured.
The Chiefs have nine picks in the 2023 draft, including one in each of the first four rounds. They could use some of those picks as trade bait to move up and get their desired prospect.
However, they also have to be mindful of their salary cap situation and their future needs, as they have several key players who will be free agents after next season, such as wide receiver Tyreek Hill, tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones.
The 2023 NFL draft will take place from April 27 to April 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs will have to decide whether they want to stay put at No. 31 or make a bold move to trade up for a top-tier prospect.
Final Thoughts: Kansas City Chiefs Look to Trade Up for Top-Tier Prospect
The Kansas City Chiefs‘ reported interest in trading up in the 2023 NFL draft to land a top-tier prospect comes as no surprise. The Chiefs have a history of being aggressive in the draft under general manager Brett Veach and have been successful in doing so.
They traded up to select Patrick Mahomes, who has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league and led them to two consecutive Super Bowl appearances. They also traded up to select Mecole Hardman and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, both of whom have been important contributors to the team.
The Chiefs’ desire to trade up is driven by their goal of maximizing their window with Mahomes, who is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league.
They want to surround him with the best talent possible to help them win another championship. The positions they are targeting, such as offensive line, edge rusher and linebacker, are areas of need for the team and could make an immediate impact.
However, the Chiefs have to be mindful of their salary cap situation and their future needs. They have several key players who will be free agents after next season, such as Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones.
They will have to weigh the benefits of trading up for a top-tier prospect against the long-term impact it could have on their salary cap and their ability to retain key players.
Overall, the Chiefs’ reported interest in trading up for a top-tier prospect is in line with their aggressive approach to the draft.
If they are able to land a difference-maker at a position of need, it could help them get back to the Super Bowl and compete for another championship. The 2023 NFL draft will be an important event for the Chiefs, and it will be interesting to see what they decide to do with their picks.
