The NFL Scouting Combine has commenced in Indianapolis. As a result, many rumors and ideas are being revealed or floated around the league. On Tuesday morning, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the Cleveland Browns are looking into a possible “blockbuster” trade down in this year’s draft from sixth overall.
Could the Kansas City Chiefs be a team that makes sense as a trade partner? The Chiefs are set to make a top-10 selection for the first time since trading up to take Patrick Mahomes in 2017. Depending on how Kansas City views this class, a slight move up from nine to six may pique their interest.
The board will likely have to fall a specific way in order for K.C. to pull the trigger on this type of deal. However, this is arguably the most important draft the Chiefs have had under general manager Brett Veach. And he has not been afraid to move up the draft board via trade during his tenure.
Searching for when the Browns last made a move like this does not take long. Cleveland moved down three spots in last year’s first round. The Browns sent the second overall pick, along with a 2025 fourth-rounder and a 2025 sixth-rounder, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville took Travis Hunter at second overall. In the end, Cleveland netted the fifth overall pick, plus second- and fourth-round picks last year. Jacksonville also sent its first-round pick in 2026 to the Browns.
If the Browns move down from No. 6, the Chiefs have a decision to make about how aggressive they want to be.
Would the Chiefs be willing to move a ton of assets to bump themselves up three spots in this year’s first round? Overall, Kansas City is not flush with a ton of selections this year. A possible Trent McDuffie trade could help in that regard. Elsewhere, Veach has shown he is willing to move future draft picks based on his past history.
The differing nature of these two franchises is another reason why they could be trade partners for the sixth selection. Kansas City is looking to bounce back immediately and compete for another title. As for Cleveland, they are in year one of a new coaching staff and continue to rebuild for the future.
Veach and the Chiefs probably make this move for only one of two reasons: securing one of the top pass rushers before they fall into the latter half of the top 10, or landing one of the top three wide receivers. The Jeremiyah Love connection has been mentioned plenty of times. Trading up for Love does not seem like an avenue the Chiefs would take.
In the end, K.C. needs early contributions from this year’s draft class. Trading up is a major gamble. The Chiefs cannot sit on their hands this offseason or in the draft, though. If they believe this type of swing greatly benefits them this year, it is worth considering.