With general manager Brett Veach calling the shots, the Kansas City Chiefs are always a candidate to move up in the NFL draft if there’s a player they really want.
In 2023, Veach traded up to land wide receiver Rashee Rice, offensive tackle Wanya Morris and safety Chamarri Conner. He also jumped at the opportunity to acquire cornerback Trent McDuffie in round one the offseason before, along with offensive lineman Darian Kinnard — a minor fifth-round trade up — later on.
2024 could be no different if ESPN writer Bill Barnwell is correct. On April 18, Barnwell suggested the Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys as potential trade suitors over the back half of round one. The hypothetical deal?
Chiefs get: No. 24 overall pick.
Cowboys get: No. 32 overall pick, plus a 2024 third (No. 95) and a 2024 fifth (No. 159).
Ironically, one of these selections belonged to Dallas in the first place — pick No. 159 — but the basic theory from Barnwell is that the cap-strapped Cowboys would prefer more opportunities to fill roster holes with affordable talent, rather than a top-25 selection.
As for the Chiefs, there’s a specific position that Barnwell believes this trade would target.
“The defending champs moved up from No. 29 to No. 22 two years ago, when they sent two picks to the [New England] Patriots and landed cornerback Trent McDuffie,” he noted. “The Chiefs were flush with selections then by virtue of the Tyreek Hill trade, which isn’t the case any longer.”
“This [Cowboys deal] would be a move up to address a critical position: left tackle, where Donovan Smith is a free agent and Wanya Morris didn’t impress as a rookie,” Barnwell reasoned. “Jumping the [Green Bay] Packers and [Baltimore] Ravens makes sense if there’s somebody Kansas City trusts to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside.”
Cowboys Trade Would Leave Chiefs With 4 Remaining Selections in 2024 NFL Draft
As Barnwell alluded, the downside of this exchange is that Kansas City is left with just four remaining picks in 2024. And whether they use the No. 24 selection on a new left tackle, a wide receiver or another position entirely, that doesn’t give Veach too many opportunities to retool this roster.
Granted, the Chiefs roster has fewer needs than the average team. Outside of OT and WR, one could argue there is room for improvement at cornerback (behind McDuffie), defensive tackle (behind Chris Jones), edge rusher, backup guard and backup running back — but these aren’t substantial issues.
Meaning, if there’s a prospect Veach loves that’s on the board at No. 24, he likely wouldn’t hesitate to make this move.
After all, according to the 2024 NFL trade value chart, Dallas would actually be sacrificing value in this deal. Their pick is worth 740 points, per the Jimmy Johnson draft valuation model, while KC’s collection of draft capital is worth 737.8 points.
A fair deal for both sides, but not an overpay by any means.
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