Chiefs reportedly tried moving up in first round of NFL Draft but were rebuffed
Heading into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, there was speculation that the Chiefs could try to trade up for a higher pick or possibly move down from No. 31 overall.
Instead, the Chiefs stayed put and drafted Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
But that doesn’t mean the Chiefs didn’t try to trade out of the spot.
Cowboys team writer Patrik Walker reported the Chiefs tried to trade up to No. 26 to take Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Instead, Dallas drafted Smith.
“The Cowboys did field a call from the Chiefs to potentially move down to 31, but it was nixed when Kansas City said they were moving up for Mazi Smith,” Walker reported. “Andy Reid wanted him. Mike McCarthy got him.”
That came one pick after the Buffalo Bills traded their first-rounder and a fourth-round choice to Jacksonville for the No. 25 overall pick.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged after the first round was completed that he talked with other teams about a possible trade.
“We had conversations,” Veach said, “and some of the teams that we spoke to earlier in the day, I mean the price was pretty steep at the time. And then there was a window, I think minus the Bills moving up two spots with a fourth(-round pick), there was conversation that we had with teams but when it was their time to pick they were staying, they weren’t trading.
“Jacksonville had that small move with Buffalo there ... but the teams around they were not interested in trading. And then teams higher than that, the asking price was a lot. And having picks the next couple days, having a two, three, two fours, we still want to deal in volume here and want to get some good players and we just thought it was the best to keep those picks and to have arsenal the next few days.”
Veach said the Chiefs also heard from teams about moving out of the first round by dealing the 31st overall pick.
But the Chiefs really wanted Anudike-Uzomah and feared he wouldn’t be available in the second round.
“We did have some calls. I think maybe coach (Reid) mentioned that,” Veach said. “It’s a situation though when you have a guy that is clearly the top guy left and then the calls that we had were you’re talking mid-40s. It’s a long way away and then you’re going to end up just trading those picks to try to get back up and get a guy like Felix.”
