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Three smaller potential trade targets for KC Chiefs

By Kelly Thompson

Oct 23, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree (48) is blocked by Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (73) as quarterback Matt Ryan (2) attempts a pass during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree (48) is blocked by Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (73) as quarterback Matt Ryan (2) attempts a pass during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Chiefs may be in the market for some smaller moves ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline. Let’s take a look at where the team may find upgrades.

The Kansas City Chiefs enter their bye week, and the season’s midway point, in a familiar spot: sitting alone at the top of the AFC West, near the top of the NFL Power Rankings, and plenty of weaknesses on a roster that has Super Bowl potential due to an unprecedented trifecta at quarterback, tight end, and head coach leading the way.

It’s that last point that has, in the past, led general manager Brett Veach to look at potential upgrades who might be available via trade ahead of the NFL’s post-Week 8 trade deadline. While the Chiefs have been at the top of the AFC for the entirety of Veach’s tenure, that has never stopped him and the team from looking for places to improve the roster (depth, especially) for the playoff run.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, it’s time for us to look ahead and see who (other than the big names) Veach and company may target while they’re able.

Here are three potential names to keep an eye on who might both be available and also upgrade Kansas City’s roster ahead of another playoff push.

Dennis Kelly, Indianapolis Colts, Offensive Tackle

Kansas City’s offensive tackles have been a sore spot for the offense in an otherwise excellent start to the season. Maybe right tackle Andrew Wylie and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. round into form in the season’s second half, and maybe they do not, but regardless of which outcome comes to fruition one truth is abundantly clear: an injury to either current starter would be an even bigger disaster for the Chiefs’ postseason aspirations than the play has been through seven games. Kansas City has no viable or proven depth to replace either and no clear timetable for tackle Lucas Niang’s return (though his level of contribution, too, would be questionable at best).

Enter veteran Dennis Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Kelly has since also spent time with the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers before landing in Indianapolis for the 2022 season. While Kelly has started one game this season, it’s unlikely that he is either taking a full-time starting role this season or that he is part of the long-term plans for a franchise that has just named Sam Ehlinger the starter for the duration of the season.

Kelly is a versatile swing tackle that fits the mold of what Andy Reid and Andy Heck typically look for in their backup offensive linemen. With 52 career starts under his belt, Kelly could easily start for Kansas City in the event that the need arose. While he is unlikely to take over the job from Andrew Wylie, that’s also true of any other tackle the Chiefs might pick up at the trade deadline. They’re not bringing in a new starting tackle midseason.

So for the purposes of experienced and versatile depth, knowing they cannot count on anyone currently on the roster to fill the role well enough for the playoffs, trading a 6th or 7th-round pick to a rebuilding franchise who ought to be looking to accumulate draft capital seems optimal.

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