The NFL debuted a later trade deadline for the 2026 season, giving teams an additional week to evaluate their teams' chances for a postseason run. That means that buyers and sellers both have until Tuesday, November 10, to submit trades to the league office in an attempt to either cash in on depreciating assets or land some much-needed help.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been mentioned in every single trade deadline report and rumor, given the level of need at multiple positions. An obvious contender with even more obvious roster concerns, the Chiefs are buyers with an aggressive GM looking to cash in on the final season with so many legends still on the team.
Let's look at what to expect from the Chiefs at this year's trade deadline.
- Possible positions the Chiefs could target
- The most obvious trade targets for the Chiefs
- What trade assets do the Chiefs have?
Possible positions the Chiefs could target
1. Wide receiver
The most pressing need for K.C. by far, which is why every rumor is centered on a wideout. Tyquan Thornton's injury slowed the Chiefs' offense for weeks, and Xavier Worthy headed to the locker room in Week 9 with a hamstring injury. And Rashee Rice isn't exactly known for his availability. The Chiefs could even take a couple of swings to bolster the position because things look so thin, top to bottom.
2. Offensive tackle
Left tackle Josh Simmons is on injured reserve and hasn't played all season. Right tackle Jaylon Moore suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Jets and has already missed two games with a concussion. That's left Kahlil Benson to start every game on the left and Josh Ezeudu to mop up when needed on the right side. With half the regular season still to come, it'd make sense for the Chiefs to add some experience.
3. Cornerback / Safety
Injuries have taken out Chamarri Conner, L'Jarius Sneed, and Mansoor Delane at one point or another. While K.C. has been able to weather the storm, the need at safety and the overall health concerns could lead Brett Veach to check into another defensive back at the deadline.
4. Tight end
ESPN's Bill Barnwell's predictions for deadline deals kept the Chiefs out of the wide receiver aisle entirely. Instead, he brought Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert to K.C. as a way to move the meter on offense as a sensible price. it's an interesting curveball, to be sure, and would give Veach another option to consider as a re-signing if Kelce hangs up the cleats in a few months.
5. Linebacker
Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton are the leaders in the linebacking corps, but the depth chart looks scary after that. The Chiefs' reticence to play Jeff Bassa and Cooper McDonald is telling—or is it?—and smart teams keep the Chiefs in their base defense to create mismatches in the passing game. If the Chiefs grabbed a quality upgrade, it would be a solid boost to the Chiefs' defensive versatility.
The most obvious trade targets for the Chiefs
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have already fired their general manager and started selling assets weeks ago. Josh Downs has requested a trade and will be a free agent at season's end. His skill set might overlap with some current players, but the Chiefs just need healthy options on the field at this point. Downs has averaged 98 targets/season for the last three years. A real salve for K.C.'s depth chart.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is out. Tyler Huntley is, too. The Ravens were just rolled by 23 points to start Week 9 and are now in last place in the AFC North at 4-5. Perhaps they'd be open to selling off a part like Rashod Bateman. The Ravens wideout is the sort of field-stretcher that the Chiefs lost when Thornton went down. He's also only 27 and signed through '29, which gives Baltimore reasons to keep him, but he'd hold more value for K.C. at this point—both now and later.
Daiyan Henley, LB, L.A. Chargers
This one's a longshot but anyone watching Jack Cochrane playing a startling number of snaps would bet on Brett Veach trying to upgrade his role on the team. Henley is a well-round linebacker headed for free agency for a winless franchise. Rival or not, the Chargers should be selling and the Chiefs should at least see if they could procure Henley's services.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Would the Jags really help a fellow contender in the AFC? That's the biggest question here. Thomas is a former first-round pick whose sensational rookie results have crashed to earth with a change in scheme and head coach. He's the classic buy-low candidate for Veach and the Chiefs, but he still holds value as a deep threat for Jacksonville. But there's no doubt the Chiefs have at least made the exploratory phone call.
Tony Jefferson, S, L.A. Chargers
Alohi Gilman, Jaden Hicks, and Chamarri Conner are still finding their groove as a trio after Conner started the year with an injury. But the unit looked thin in early weeks and one more player would put this position over the top. That's why a savvy acquisition of a smart, productive veteran like Tony Jefferson would make the secondary look really good top to bottom.
What trade assets do the Chiefs have?
1. 2027 draft picks
The Chiefs have plenty of draft choices at the ready for the 2027 edition, especially when considering the compensatory picks projected for them. The list includes
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Round 3 (Rams, Trent McDuffie trade)
- Round 4
- Round 4 (Compensatory)
- Round 5
- Round 6 (Falcons, Wanya Morris trade)
- Round 6 (49ers, Skyy Moore trade)
- Round 6 (Compensatory)
2. Kristian Fulton, CB
The Chiefs are buyers, to be sure, at the deadline, but the one player on the Chiefs who might be deemed both expendable and valuable is cornerback Kristian Fulton. The extra cornerback depth has come in handy with multiple corners on the shelf. But if the right player-for-player offer came along, Veach might consider dealing from a position of strength (and a bit of cap relief).
3. 2028 draft picks
Veach has every one of the Chiefs' original draft picks available for trade for the 2028 NFL Draft.
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