Jason Burgos
On Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs fans got the news that they feared entering the offseason. With All-Pro Trent McDuffie entering the final year of his contract and the team not expected to give him the long-term extension he wants, the Chiefs traded their best defensive back to the Los Angeles Rams.
In the trade, the KC Chiefs will receive LA’s first (No. 29), fifth, and sixth-round pick next month, as well as a 2027 third-rounder. While the trade will frustrate fans, it does offer up a unique opportunity for the team in April.
In this year’s NFL Draft, Kansas City is guaranteed a top 10 prospect. However, there are many elite talents they will miss out on when they are on the clock at No. 9. However, with an extra first-rounder and more from the Rams, they can offer the teams in front of them a worthwhile trade package that includes two first-round selections.
With that in mind, let’s look at six stud prospects the KC Chiefs could be high on and boldly trade up in the draft to select.
Jeremiyah Love
Last week, it was reported that there is one player that teams around the NFL are praying the KC Chiefs don’t select, and that is Notre Dame star, Jeremiyah Love. The running back is generating huge buzz following the NFL Combine and is getting comparisons to Saquon Barkley and Jamyhr Gibbs.
The Chiefs have lacked a game-breaker running back for much of the last decade. Love could be an amazing weapon for Patrick Mahomes and create serious matchup problems for opponents.
Arvell Reese
The KC Chiefs really need more threats on the EDGE, as Chris Jones is showing signs of a decline. This year’s draft has several intriguing options, and all of them could be off the board by the time the team makes its pick at nine. One of them is Ohio State EDGE, Arvell Reese.
Reese had a breakout season as he moved from linebacker to EDGE in 2025 and was a huge part of why OSU had the most feared defense in college football last season, as he posted 6.5 sacks while terrorizing Big Ten foes.
David Bailey
Another game-breaking EDGE rusher who could be off the board within the top eight picks in April is Texas Tech’s David Bailey. In his lone season for the Red Raiders, he led FBS in sacks (14.5) due to, arguably, the fastest first step in all of college football this season. Furthermore, he has a high football IQ and can be the heir apparent to Chris Jones when it comes to being the team’s sack master.
Sonny Styles
Made the best performance at last week’s NFL Combines was from Ohio State star Sonny Styles. He was already a player who had the potential to be a top 10 pick. However, the unbelievable athleticism he showcased at the combine could make him a lock to go in the top five.
The linebacker is one of the most versatile defensive players in his class, due to his sideline-to-sideline tackling skills and the ability to be an impact player in coverage. He could be a core member of the KC Chiefs’ defense for the next decade.
Spencer Fano & Francis Mauigoa
Just like you can never have enough pass rushing, you can never have enough high-level players protecting the team’s most valuable asset, Mahomes. If the KC Chiefs are high on one of the top offensive linemen in 2026, they could certainly move up and select them if they believe a team ahead of them in Round 1 is lurking.
Utah’s Spencer Fano and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa are the top two in this year’s class, and either could be top-five picks. Don’t be surprised if KC moves up to land one of them in April.
Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs is among the three Buckeyes who could be taken in the top five of April’s NFL Draft. The safety is one of the most NFL-ready players in 2026 and could make an impact immediately due to his elite football IQ and versatility in the secondary.
After moving on from a young core member of their secondary this week, it would make sense to target another affordable player with Pro Bowl potential to fill that void.
