Chiefs Mock Draft Featuring a Big First-Round Trade

Another even split between offense and defense, this time with a big trade-up in the first round.

The 2023 NFL Draft will be here in less than a week, and the hype is building throughout Kansas City. Bands have been announced, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is tweeting about his excitement and fans are getting ready to fly in from all over the country for this event. 

The Kansas City Chiefs have the 31st pick on Thursday night, but what if they trade up? Today, using the NFL Mock Draft Database, we’ll see what it could potentially look like under those circumstances in a mock draft. 

First Round, Pick 31, TRADE UP

Houston Texans get:

• 2023 pick 31
• 2024 first-round pick
• 2023 pick 249
• 2023 pick 250

Kansas City Chiefs get:

• 2023 pick 12

Round 1, Pick 12: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Ohio State)

The Chiefs decided to trade up to get the consensus top WR in this year’s NFL Draft. There’s a chance that general manager Brett Veach sees an opportunity to move up for a player who can make an immediate impact and with the draft being in Kansas City, and this would be the splash move that would make heads spin. Smith-Njigba can do it all, playing from the slot, outside or being used on end-arounds. His playmaking ability was on display the most during the 2021 season as injuries limited him in 2022. He’s only 21 years old and the sky's the limit for him at the next level — especially if he has a quarterback like Mahomes throwing him the ball.

Round 2, Pick 63: Isaiah Foskey (DE, Notre Dame)

The 6-foot-5, 264-pound Foskey would be an ideal fit in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo’s system. He was a second-team All-American in 2022 and finished the season with 14 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He also showcased his special teams skills with two blocked punts during the season and had four blocked punts throughout his college career. Foskey is a projected early-to-mid-second-round pick, so he could be a steal if the Chiefs can land him at 63.

Round 3, Pick 95: Tucker Kraft (TE, South Dakota State)

Kraft could go anywhere from mid-second to late-third round so if he is there for the Chiefs at this point, they might as well take a chance on another weapon for Mahomes. Travis Kelce isn’t a spring chicken, and he may still have a few more years of elite play in him, but it’s always good to have backup options in the tank. Kraft makes good adjustments and has the body control to make tough catches. He’s drawn some comparisons to Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth, and that would be a nice starting point for the Chiefs to work with as a potential Kelce successor.

Round 4, Pick 122: Zacch Pickens (DL, South Carolina)

Pickens is an athletic interior lineman with above-average arm length and quick hands. He is a smart player and can adjust quickly to blocking schemes with early recognition. Pickens has the athleticism and quickness to jump into a rotation right away, and that’s all you can ask for from a fourth-round rookie defensive lineman.

Round 4, Pick 134: Kenny McIntosh (RB, Georgia)

McIntosh was always part of a committee playing at Georgia, but he made the most of his touches. In 2022, he led the Bulldogs with 829 yards rushing, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and led the team with 10 rushing touchdowns as well. He also caught 43 passes for 504 yards and had two receiving touchdowns. He has natural hands as a pass-catcher and his blocking ability in picking up blitzes to protect his quarterback could lead to a third-down back role for the Chiefs in year one. McIntosh has good size and could be a mismatch in isolated situations out of the backfield. If the Chiefs are looking to add another running back to the room, he would be a solid choice.

Round 5, Pick 166: Jakorian Bennett (CB, Maryland)

Bennett turned some heads at the combine when he ran a 4.30-second 40-yard dash. He led Maryland with 11 pass breakups and two interceptions in 2022. He also had 39 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and had a blocked kick as well. He’s effective at breaking up the 50/50 balls but isn’t a ball hawk. He has the size and speed to be a good cornerback in the NFL and is worthy of a fifth-round flier.

Round 5, Pick 178: Ivan Pace Jr. (LB, Cincinnati)

Pace is a bit of a tweener and could be a box safety type of guy rather than a linebacker at the next level. He could join the third-down team in passing situations and have a role there and would be a fine special teams player early in his career. He’s a tackling machine and one of those guys who would be a solid depth piece on any team, including the Chiefs.

Round 6, Pick 217: Raiqwon O’Neal (OT, UCLA)

O’Neal started for both Rutgers and UCLA and would give some depth at offensive tackle for the Chiefs. A former teammate of Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs could reunite the former Rutgers standouts. He started 11 games at left tackle in 2021 and was an All-Big Ten Team honorable mention. O’Neal was the starting left tackle in all 13 games at UCLA in 2022. His natural athleticism and size give him an edge up front. O’Neal would be a nice addition to the Chiefs' offensive line room.

Each selection was given an "A-plus" grade with the exception of Smith-Njigba, who was given an "A." If the Chiefs can trade up to get the guy they think is the top wide receiver in this class and still be able to fill out the roster with their other selections, this would be considered another successful draft for Veach. We’re less than a week away. Enjoy this one, Kansas City!