Brett Veach expects the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to feature significant trade activity, citing a lack of clear separation among top prospects.
Veach links trade potential to prospect evaluation
The Chiefs general manager said Thursday that fan interest will rise because prospect grades are unusually close, particularly among offensive tackles, defensive ends, and receivers. He argued that without multiple elite quarterbacks or game-changing edge rushers like Will Anderson Jr. Or Myles Garrett, teams will struggle to differentiate players, increasing the likelihood of trades. Veach noted that mocked-high prospects could fall and mocked-low prospects could rise due to minimal talent gaps.
Chiefs position themselves for draft flexibility
Kansas City holds the ninth and 29th overall picks, giving it two first-round selections for only the second time during Andy Reid’s tenure. Veach referenced past draft-day moves, including trading up to select Trent McDuffie in 2022 and the blockbuster deal that sent Tyreek Hill to Miami. He emphasized that his approach relies on exhaustive player evaluation, coaching staff collaboration, and targeting 10-15 priority prospects from a board of 215.
Why does Veach believe trades will increase this year?
He believes the absence of clear elite talent at quarterback and premium positions like edge rusher has made prospect grades too close to predict confidently, prompting teams to trade for positioning.
What draft capital do the Chiefs have entering the 2026 NFL Draft?
They hold the ninth and 29th overall picks, acquired in part through the trade of Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams last month.