Recalling how the Chiefs threaded the needle to get Patrick Mahomes

If it wasn’t for the Kansas City Chiefs ability to thread the draft needle perfectly back in 2017, they might not be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

It’s impossible for an outsider to know who deserves what level of credit for drafting Patrick Mahomes. John Dorsey was the general manager at the time, and as such, all decisions ran through him. Brett Veach was an executive who was reportedly high on Mahomes’ pro stock for years before he was even draft eligible. Andy Reid was the head coach entrusted with installing a new quarterback and, consequently, was privy to all draft chatter and draft strategies.

At this point, it’s easy to shrug and say, “Who cares?” The Chiefs are in the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years. Mahomes is entrenched as the starter and the best young quarterback in football, with an NFL MVP trophy already under his belt. But to gain full appreciation of where the team is now, it’s important to remember what it took to get here.

In particular, it’s good to look back and recall the Chiefs incredible ability to thread the needle in the 2017 NFL Draft to realize just how easily Mahomes could be playing for another team.

Identifying the One

The most important thing to point out from the outset here is that the Chiefs knew they had the right player all along.

Given the way draft buzz comes and goes, it might be hard for some to remember just how high the draft stock was for the others involved in the 2017 draft. Deshaun Watson certainly needed no introduction as a legend at the college level, a natural born leader with a legitimate pro skill set as a passer and rusher who also happened to come with championship experience.

Mitchell Trubisky had turned heads as a one-year wonder at North Carolina who looked like the next Carson Wentz (a very exciting description three years ago) or Matthew Stafford. Questions loomed about his awareness and footwork, but so many elements looked the part of Franchise Quarterback including his arm, his poise, his reads, and his running ability.

Even Deshone Kizer, Davis Webb and others had also generated some draft buzz on their behalf as further options in case a team was willing to wait a bit for better draft value.

Instead, the Chiefs were locked on from the beginning, from early in Mahomes’ collegiate career, to the guy who would rise above his draftmates to become the NFL’s next great player.

Identifying the Opportunity

It’s one thing to like a player, but it’s another to land them.

The Chiefs originally sat at No. 27 overall, the sort of late draft position that makes planning for any top prospect seem silly—unless, that is, you’re willing to trade up. In the case of gaining a franchise quarterback, it was exactly what the Chiefs were prepared to do.

The Chiefs had done their homework in advance and knew from the pre-draft research that the teams keen on Mahomes weren’t going to start picking until the draft hit double digits. The Saints and Cardinals, in particular, were rumored to be interested in Mahomes, and they selected at No. 11 and 13, respectively. Before the draft began, the Chiefs had a trade worked out with the Buffalo Bills at No. 10 in case they wanted to strike a deal to move up but the Chiefs were silent about their interest in Mahomes, and the Bills were willing players.

The Bills ended up moving down 17 spots in exchange for an additional first round pick the following season (again, another late draft spot) and an extra third round pick in the current draft. Just like that, the Chiefs had their man.

Here’s what makes this so incredible: the Chiefs not only moved up to get the perfect player but they did so at the perfect time. In the same way Mahomes might put a little air under the ball so as to loft it to Travis Kelce in tight coverage over the linebackers but before the safety, the Chiefs threaded the draft’s needle. They sat and waited until early teams went off the board, betting their homework was right, but then traded up just enough to get their guy.

Think of this: the Chiefs could have easily given up a few more picks in the name of getting their guy. If the Chiefs wanted to walk in certainty on the draft’s opening night, they could have just pushed a ton of chips to the middle and grabbed him. Given the results of Mahomes on the field, we would still be applauding that deal.

In 2012, the Washington Redskins traded 3 first round picks and a second round selection to move up four spots to take Robert Griffin III. Four spots. The Jets traded 3 extra second round picks to the Colts to move up 3 spots to eventually draft Sam Darnold. Even in the same draft, the Chicago Bears gave away an extra second, third, and fourth round pick to the 49ers to move up a single spot to grab Trubisky at No. 2.

The Chiefs were able to move up 17 spots into the top 10, grab their franchise quarterback, yet still hang on to draft assets that other teams might have demanded in such a trade. They did so at the exact spot for the exact player at the exact time. The scouting reports were right. Their homework was correct. Their timing was impeccable.

The trade up to get Patrick Mahomes not only brought the ultimate talent to the Chiefs, but the process itself was a masterclass in draft preparation. The Chiefs certainly would not be standing where they are now if they had played that any differently.