2023 NFL Draft: 5 teams that provide best trade-up opportunities for Chiefs

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: General manager Brett Veach of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: General manager Brett Veach of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN – JULY 28: Detroit Lions head football coach Dan Campbell speaks with the media before the Detroit Lions Training Camp on July 28, 2021 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN – JULY 28: Detroit Lions head football coach Dan Campbell speaks with the media before the Detroit Lions Training Camp on July 28, 2021 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions (Pick 18)

Why it makes sense for them:

The Lions are somewhat underrated in terms of what the general fan knows about their roster. Whether they realize it at this point or not, they can be extremely talented and miss out on the playoffs due to their quarterback play. The Chiefs knew this pain all too well for years. Now, the Lions are stuck in an interesting situation. Do they try to keep loading up talent around Jared Goff or do they take a swing on a quarterback sooner rather than later?

This is where a trade would make sense. In moving way up to pick 18, the Chiefs could give the Lions draft capital for next year that could potentially allow them to move up for their perceived quarterback of the future. In doing so, they could also have more picks later in this draft, where they could take some positions of need or developmental guys for the long term.

Likelihood of Chiefs trading for this pick: Medium

It seems like the Lions are on the precipice of building a winning team. While they may not realize yet that Jared Goff is not going to lead them to a Super Bowl, they have built a lot of talent around him. The Lions are the kind of team to either draft some defensive guys early, or they could be looking at Will Levis (if he falls) or Hendon Hooker.

If they are looking at Hooker at the end of the first, the trade would make a lot of sense for both parties. The Chiefs would move to 18 to get an instant impact type player and the Lions would move down, accruing more draft capital all while getting more picks in the heart of the draft.

Schedule