The Kansas City Chiefs are candidates to trade up in next week’s NFL draft, and the team just got great news on that front if they decide to go through with a move into the top three.
Todd McShay of The Ringer reported over the weekend that the Arizona Cardinals are working hard to move out of the No. 3 pick just days ahead of Round 1.
“I’m going to bed believing [Arvell] Reese is the [New York] Jets pick at 2, [Jeremiyah] Love won’t last to pick 7 (maybe not to TEN at 4) and if the Cardinals want Ty Simpson (and they do) — they better move WAY up (which explains why they’re trying so hard to move out of 3),” McShay wrote on X Saturday.
Earlier in the week, Matt Miller of ESPN suggested a trade proposal that would see Kansas City swap its two first-round picks with the Cardinals in a move that suits both franchise’s draft goals.
“IF the Chiefs wanted to move up to 3 … Trade picks 9 and 29 for picks 3 and 65,” Miller wrote. “That gets it done. And they’d still have pick 40.”
Chiefs Can Choose Between David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr. With Trade Up to No. 3 Pick in NFL Draft
GettyPass-rusher David Bailey of Texas Tech.
Reese’s versatility as an off-ball linebacker for much of his career at Ohio State who can play in coverage, is great against the run and has high-end potential as an edge-rusher in the NFL makes him hard for any team, particularly the Jets at No. 2, to pass up.
However, if the Chiefs get to No. 3, they would still have their choice between David Bailey of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami. Bailey led Division-I with 14.5 sacks in 2025 and added three forced fumbles along with three pass breakups.
While Bailey presents questions as a run defender at the next level, he was an elite pressure creator during his final collegiate season. At 6-foot, 3-inches tall and 250 pounds, Bailey amassed 73 pressures, which also lead the D-I ranks, adding 42 hurries and 18 QB hits.
David Bailey Addition Would Greatly Improve Chiefs’ Pass Rush Alongside Chris Jones
GettyKansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Bailey’s addition to the Chiefs would solidify the team’s pass rush alongside fellow defensive end George Karlaftis and superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Kansas City’s front was porous against the run in 2025 as well, but the signing of DT Khyiris Tonga in free agency should go a long way in that regard.
Trading out of the No. 9 spot and sacrificing the No. 29 pick to do so would limit Kansas City’s ability to address one more of its several roster needs — offensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback, among others — across the first two days of the draft.
That said, the Chiefs should be able to find value at OT, WR or even CB with the 40th pick in Round 2. That, plus the addition of an elite edge-rusher who can impact opposing pockets with his speed from Week 1, reads like a win overall win for Kansas City.
Some reasonable depth also remains available in free agency, particularly at the wideout position with players like Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill still searching for landing spots and potentially available on one-year deals.
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