Kansas City Chiefs Urged to Trade Up in NFL Draft, for Surprising Reason

Why Kansas City Chiefs Could Trade Up in 2024 NFL Draft

Pro Football Focus believes the Kansas City Chiefs could trade up in the draft to select one of the class’s top offensive tackles, in order to help keep Mahomes upright and provide stability along the offensive line for years to come.

The Chiefs could find a willing trade partner, in fellow Super Bowl favorites, the Detroit Lions.

Brad Spielberger of PFF suggests the Chiefs could move up three spots by shipping Detroit pick No. 32 and 95 in exchange for pick No. 29 and 164.

“The Chiefs are sitting in a very familiar spot with the No. 32 overall pick,” Brad Spielberger writes for PFF. “And the last two teams they defeated en route to a Super Bowl in the Baltimore Ravens at No. 30 and the San Francisco 49ers at No. 31 also need reinforcements at tackle. Kansas City added a Day 3 pick and a 2025 third-rounder in the L’Jarius Sneed trade with the Tennessee Titans, and general manager Brett Veach has never been afraid to move up at the bottom of the first round for a player he covets, most recently landing All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.

“Suamataia earned an 86.1 pass-blocking grade in 2023 with just six pressures allowed, and he moves fairly well for his size. He may not be a plug-and-play starter, in need of development with perhaps another stopgap veteran like Donovan Smith in 2023, but the upside potential for the 21-year-old is very enticing.”

Moving up two spots to secure a preferred offensive tackle could be the type of move that ultimately props open the Chiefs’ Super Bowl window even wider, if Suamataia is able to limit the punishment Mahomes withstands in the pocket in coming seasons.