Kansas City Chiefs Working on Big Trade in 2026 NFL Draft

We’ve already seen one big trade this week, with the New York Giants shipping Pro Bowl DT Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Could the Kansas City Chiefs be close to completing another blockbuster involving a top-10 selection?

The Chiefs already have the ninth and 29th overall picks in the first round of the draft, but they’re reportedly looking to trade into the top-five picks.

According to PHNX’s Johnny Venerable, the Arizona Cardinals have been in contact with the Chiefs, discussing a trade that would send the third overall pick in the first round to Kansas City. Venerable’s suggestion is for the Chiefs to send No. 9 plus change to Arizona in exchange for No. 3, then Kansas City would target the top pass-rusher available.

“Sources tell PHNX Cardinals that Ossenfort has already engaged in early trade discussions with GM Brett Veach and the Kansas City Chiefs,” Venerable wrote. “The Chiefs, who own the ninth overall pick, would likely target the top available pass rusher in either Texas Tech’s David Bailey or Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. While initial trade details remain vague, the NFL Trade Value Chart projects that pick #3 is worth roughly 2200, while pick #9 is worth #1350.”

The Cardinals held the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft before moving down to No. 12 and selecting left tackle Paris Johnson. The Cardinals may again be trying to trade down and select another offensive tackle to help stabilize their line. Last time they moved down from 3, the Cardinals fetched the 34th pick, a fifth-round selection, and a future first in addition to No. 12 overall.

If Kansas City can pull off such a deal, the price will surely be different this time around, as no two drafts are the same.

Related: Kansas City Chiefs Criticized for One of ‘NFL’s Worst Signings’