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The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2026 NFL Draft with nine total picks, including two first-round selections at No. 9 and No. 29. According to a draft scenario put together by NFL experts at Heavy.com, the Chiefs could consider packaging those picks in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to move up to the No. 3 overall spot if the right opportunity presents itself.

General manager Brett Veach has already indicated that this year’s draft could feature significant movement, as teams evaluate a class that lacks clear separation among top prospects.

Chiefs Draft Strategy Could Include Trade Up to No. 3 Pick

The Chiefs have needs across multiple positions, including defensive line, wide receiver, and the secondary. After losing several key contributors in free agency, including Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Bryan Cook, the team may look to add impact players early in the draft.

One scenario discussed by the experts at Heavy.com involves Kansas City packaging both first-round picks to trade to the Arizona Cardinals to move up to No. 3 overall. This approach would allow the Chiefs to target a top-tier edge rusher such as Arvell Reese.

Reese is considered one of the top defensive prospects in the class and could immediately strengthen the team’s pass rush and run defense. In this scenario, Kansas City would still hold the No. 40 overall pick, which could be used to address another need, such as cornerback.

Brett Veach Teases an Active Trade Market During 2026 NFL Draft

Veach suggested that the structure of this year’s draft class could lead to more trades than usual.

“It should be an entertaining night,” Veach said. “There’ll probably be a lot of trades.”

He added that the talent gap between prospects is smaller than in previous years, which could lead to unexpected movement throughout the first round.

“I think that the fans will be in for a treat next Thursday because I think the grades [on prospects] are going to be so close from some of these [offensive] tackles and D-ends and receivers,” Veach said. “A lot of these guys that are mocked high may go a little lower and a lot of these guys that are getting mocked a little lower may go higher because I think they’re so close this year. There’s not this huge gap and huge fall off.”

Veach also noted that the absence of multiple elite quarterback prospects changes how teams approach the draft.

“That’s what a draft like this — when you don’t have two or three [high-graded] quarterbacks and a Will Anderson [Jr.] or a Myles Garrett — does: It lends itself to open up to a lot of fun and a lot of excitement,” he said.

Chiefs Could Address Multiple Needs Across Draft and Free Agency

Even if the Chiefs move up in the draft, they still have several roster needs to fill. The defensive line remains a priority, particularly at edge rusher, while wide receiver is another area of focus after offensive struggles against man coverage last season.

The team could also look to add depth in the secondary and address the offensive line, including right tackle, in later rounds or through free agency.

Kansas City is one of several teams with multiple first-round picks, along with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins. That flexibility could position the Chiefs to make a significant move during the draft if the right opportunity arises.