NFL Draft Expert Urges Chiefs to Go All-In on Major Trade

The Kansas City Chiefs have been rumored to be targeting a trade up in the 2026 NFL draft for an elite defensive player.

The Arizona Cardinals have also been rumored to be eyeing a trade back to acquire more draft capital.

ESPN draft guru Matt Miller believes a deal could be made to accommodate both team's needs, and he pitched a scenario in which a deal could be made recently on social media.

"How about this hypothetical trade: Kansas City gets David Bailey/Arvell Reese at 3. Arizona gets Francis Mauigoa at 9…and drafts Ty Simpson at 29. It’s just crazy enough to work," Miller tweeted.

The Chiefs have the No. 9 and 29 overall picks in Round 1. The Cardinals only have the No. 3 pick, but many analysts are convinced they will trade back up into the first round to grab Simpson before he falls to Round 2.

In Miller's scenario, the Chiefs would sacrifice their multiple first-rounders for the third overall pick to grab one of the two elite edge-rushers in the draft class, and the Cardinals would still get Simpson in Round 1 and also draft his blindside protector in the top 10.

While the proposed trade is intriguing, it's one that Chiefs fans may not be OK with.

If Kansas City keeps both its picks, there's a chance it could draft Miami edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the ninth pick and either draft a cornerback to replace Trent McDuffie with the 29th pick, or grab another receiver like Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, or Omar Cooper Jr. to give Patrick Mahomes another offensive weapon.

Conversely, Arizona would likely be content taking whoever the New York Jets don't pick between Reese and Bailey, though landing Simpson plus an offensive tackle might be more appealing to fans.

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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 10:11 PM.