2022 NFL Draft: Weighing various trade scenarios for KC Chiefs

Best trade back scenarios

There are eight teams without a first-round pick in 2022, and multiple teams are likely to make an effort to acquire one. With the way that value shakes out at the back end of the first round, the Chiefs make a premier target for those teams to get in the mix on day one.

The two teams that can offer the most, and are in the greatest need of acquiring a top-32 prospect, are considered to be on the bubble in their respective divisions: the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears turned to a brand new leadership regime this offseason and are going to be turning the offense over to their first-round quarterback from last year in Justin Fields. They are without a legit WR1 right now and don’t make their first selection until No. 39. A trade with them would look great for the Chiefs:

Chiefs receive: No. 48 (121) + No. 71 (68) + No 150 (13) = 202 points
Bears receive: No. 30 (196) + No. 233 (2) + No. 243 (2) = 200 points

This leaves Kansas City with picks 29, 48, 50, 62, 71, 94, 103, 121, 135, and 150. They would have possession of 7% of the top 150 picks in the draft, and likely be able to leverage the back half of them to get another two or three top-100 picks. In a year where the overall talent on the roster is of concern, making 6-8 selections in the top 100 would be the best-case scenario for the Chiefs.

The Colts are another team with a new signal-caller for 2022 after they dealt Carson Wentz to Washington and acquired Matt Ryan from Atlanta. They, like the Bears, are in need of improvement at wide receiver to help support their new QB and don’t make their first selection until number 42. Here’s what it would realistically cost for them to move up 12 spots and into the first round:

Chiefs receive: No. 42 (142) + No. 73 (65) = 207 points
Colts receive: No. 30 (196) + No. 233 (2) + No. 243 (2) = 200 points

In this scenario, the Colts win by having a shot at a top-10 wide receiver, and the Chiefs win by attaining two more top-100 picks.

Whether you would like to see them make both of their first-round selections, trade up, or trade back, there is a realistic opportunity for the Chiefs to win this year’s draft. The capital in their possession is nearly unimaginable given they are just a year removed from back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. This draft may very well provide what is needed for them to make a return.