Four potential trade partners for the Chiefs in first round of the 2023 NFL Draft

Chiefs fans have become accustomed to hunkering down for the first round of the NFL Draft because their team’s success dictates they choose late.

With the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, could the Chiefs make another first-round trade and move up to an earlier pick as they did a year ago? Plenty of NFL pundits see that happening, although there is also talk of the Chiefs moving out of the first round.

Here are four potential trade partners for the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who have the 31st and final pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Detroit Lions

The Lions have the 18th overall pick

The NFL Network’s Eric Edholm’s latest mock draft sees the Chiefs moving up to 18th to take Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers.

This is part of what Edholm wrote: “The Chiefs might need to leapfrog a number of WR-hungry teams to land Flowers, if he’s indeed their guy. No. 18 overall could feel high for Flowers, but this is right where he ranked in my latest top 100 prospect list, and GM Brett Veach has picks to burn. Flowers would be a clear upgrade in the Mecole Hardman role.”

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame sees the Chiefs trading the 31st, 95th and 134th picks in this year’s draft. The Chiefs would select TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston in this scenario.

Here is an excerpt from that story: “The Chiefs desperately need a receiver, and Johnston is an ideal fit. With 10 picks available to him, general manager Brett Veach can send third- and fourth-rounders to Minnesota, moving up eight spots to land Johnston. At 6’3” and 208 pounds, the former Big 12 standout would give Patrick Mahomes a big, physical target to go with speedsters in Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.”

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have the 36th overall pick

While the Rams don’t hold a first-round pick, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft has LA moving up to 31st after a trade with the Chiefs.

“The Rams own pick No. 36, and there has been some buzz about their interest in a quarterback in this class. Matthew Stafford has dealt with a couple of serious injuries. Could they make a trade up five spots?

“I don’t think it would take that much, although they don’t have a fourth-round pick in this draft. Maybe it would involve No. 36 plus a couple of Day 3 picks, or a third-rounder in next year’s draft.

“For the Chiefs, with the top edge rushers off the board, they don’t have to force a pick at No. 31.”

New York Giants

The Giants have the 25th overall pick

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso sees the Chiefs trading with the Giants for the 25th overall pick. In this mock draft, Trapasso has the Chiefs selecting Iowa State edge rusher Will McDonald IV after swinging the trade.

This is a snippet from his story: “Kansas City doesn’t have a litany of holes, but outside pass-rusher is one of them. The Chiefs get aggressive and make sure the explosive and bendy McDonald is rushing on the same line as Chris Jones. In this trade, the Giants get the Chiefs’ third-round pick (No. 95).”

This story was originally published April 27, 2023 at 11:57 AM.

Pete Grathoff

The Kansas City Star

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From covering the World Series to the World Cup, Pete Grathoff has done a little bit of everything since joining The Kansas City Star in 1997.