The Chiefs are, of course, coming off a Super Bowl championship, their third in the Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid era and their second in a row. They have cemented themselves as a dynasty despite having question marks at the WR position during their past two championships. That issue seemed to have been solved with Rashee Rice breaking out as a rookie a year ago, however, with off-field issues arising for Rice this offseason, there is no telling what may happen. Rice will face a multi-game suspension from the NFL at the very least, but he could also face criminal charges, which could lead to an even longer absence. This creates a familiar issue for the Chiefs, who will no doubt be looking to add a WR in this year’s NFL draft. They could take one at the end of the first round, or the end of the second round, however, will those available options be difference-makers? Sure, playing with Mahomes can always elevate a player, but if the Chiefs want a real chance at a three-peat, I believe they need to trade up in the draft and target LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
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Why The Chiefs Should Trade Up
There will likely be three, at least two, receivers (Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers) going in the top 10 picks of the draft, with Rome Odunze being the question mark. He, too, should be taken in the first half of the first round, though, which leaves the Chiefs with a chance to trade up for Thomas Jr. and select him somewhere between the 14th and 20th overall picks. There are teams like the Bengals and Rams who draft at 18 and 19, respectively, who have been linked to offensive linemen. There are plenty of options on the O-line late in the first round and even late in the second round; however, a potential star WR may not be there for the Chiefs. The Raiders and Saints have also been linked to OL in the first round, they draft 13th and 14th respectively, which gives the Chiefs an opportunity to trade up even earlier than 18th or 19th if they believe Thomas Jr. will be gone by then. My belief is that the Chiefs need to trade their first and second-round picks for an earlier first-rounder and a fourth or fifth-rounder. They can take receivers with both of the picks they acquire, with one being towards the top of this class and one being a flier, perhaps a small, shifty WR like Jacob Cowing from Arizona, who is projected to go somewhere in the fourth round.
Enjoy the NFL draft, and good luck to your favorite team!