KC Chiefs, Texans could be shocking trade partners in 2022 NFL Draft
By Jacob Milham
Kansas City Chiefs trade for 13th overall selection
Kansas City sends – 29th, 30th, 121st, 135th, 252nd selections
Houston sends – 13th, 80th, 183rd selections
It is no secret that the Chiefs will draft a wide receiver this year. Four of Kansas City’s top receivers from 2021 are not with the team anymore, headlined by Tyreek Hill joining the Miami Dolphins.
While the team added receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, there is notable room for the receiving corps to improve. This trade would allow the Chiefs to select a top receiver, such as Drake London, Jameson Williams, or Chris Olave. Any of those three players would help the receiving corps in 2022. This move depends on how much the Chiefs love a certain prospect, and feel if he would be there at 13th overall. While the secondary and pass rush need work, trading for the 13th overall selection would best serve the receivers.
The Chiefs would also turn some lower overall picks into better selections. While the four seventh-round selections Kansas City has are not worth much, the Texans could use the help. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is known for his cap wizardry, but this would be his first piece of first-round draft wizardry.
Trading these picks away would not hurt Houston’s overall draft class. They would still have eight picks in the top 125 and three first-round selections. The sheer quantity of picks would take some stress off Texans general manager Nick Caserio, allowing him more possible hits than misses. The flexibility allows Houston to address many needs while not accelerating the rebuild.
While the number of picks moved is shocking, there is clear value for both teams. This trade, according to ESPN’s NFL draft-pick value chart, is very reasonable. The Chiefs would come out marginal winners, gaining .6% in draft-pick value. But, that margin is palatable for both teams. Neither are clear winners or losers which ultimately benefits both teams’ front office. This trade would likely not happen until draft night and would depend on how the top-10 picks shake out. But, this could be a beneficial move for both teams.
Bonus trade
Kansas City sends – 94th, 135th, 234th selections
Houston sends – 80th selection
The consensus is that Kansas City will not use all its draft picks this year. This trade would allow the Chiefs to move up but is far from a franchise-defining splash.