The Kansas City Chiefs are in an advantageous position with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft — one of which is in the top 10.
There are a number of different directions the Chiefs could go, and many analysts are convinced the team will address pass-rusher early in the draft.
But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks Kansas City could get creative and instead of drafting an edge-rusher and hoping he pans out, he proposed the Chiefs use one of those first-rounders to trade for an already proven pass-rusher.
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Barnwell believes the Chiefs should send the No. 9 overall pick plus former first-round defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the No. 18 overall pick, the No. 97 overall pick (Round 3), and Pro Bowl edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard.
“We’ve heard that picking ninth gives the Chiefs a rare chance to address critical positions on their roster with a premium pick, and that’s true,” Barnwell wrote. “What if they do that in a relatively unconventional way? George Karlaftis has settled in as a solid starter, and Chris Jones’ impact hasn’t dipped as much as his statistical production suggests, but the Chiefs would love to come out of this draft with an impact edge rusher.
“They might be just a tad too low to land that player at No. 9 if the board goes as expected. One other way to address that need would be to add a star in Greenard, who racked up 12 sacks and 22 knockdowns with the Vikings in 2024 before injuries wrecked his 2025 campaign. Greenard will turn 29 in May, so he should still have a couple of years of impactful pass-rushing before the Chiefs would need to worry about moving on.”
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Barnwell calls Greenard “an easily justifiable addition” for the Chiefs because they are perennial Super Bowl contenders, and having a legitimate pass-rush is typically a key component for winning a championship.
Adding the 28-year-old defensive end, who’s totaled 228 pressures, 147 hurries, 41 QB hits, 38 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in six NFL seasons, per Pro Football Focus, would instantly upgrade KC’s defensive front and allow the team to use its other first-rounder on a cornerback — a big position of need after trading All-Pro Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams.