The fan interest in player trading in the NFL usually gains traction in the offseason; around the NFL draft; and during the weeks before the trade deadline during the season, even for the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
In the National Football League or any American professional sports league, there is always player or asset trading where a player gets traded from one team to another for a player or even a draft pick. It’s always been a favorite thing to track among sports fans and NFL fans in terms of where might a player get traded to if they don’t want to play for the team they play for any more or they aren’t playing well on that team.
The one problem for the Chiefs when it comes to making trades for players that’ll help their team is they don’t have much cap space. According to Over The Cap, the Chiefs have only $652,557 in team cap space available. This could really hinder their ability to make a trade without giving away a good player to keep the trade working.
Today I’ll go into three players I think the Chiefs should go after that I think can keep their team competitive and help them continue their future dynasty.
3 Potential Trade Targets for the Kansas City Chiefs
Dallas Cowboys Wide Reciever #13: Michael Gallup
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The Chiefs need more wide receiver depth now that they lost Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency. I think getting a young but experienced wideout like Michael Gallup in a trade with the Cowboys would really help give Mahomes more targets to throw to and help the Chiefs not have to rely as much on Kelce for all their passing offense needs.
Ever since Gallup was drafted by the Cowboys in 2018, he has grown more and more into a reliable receiving since he’s gotten more playing time, especially after their top wideout from 2021, Amari Cooper, left for the Browns in the previous offseason. He has usually been the Cowboys’ second receiver in the depth chart and has flourished in that role.
Last season Gallup had four touchdowns and 424 receiving yards. These stats weren’t to the level he wanted since he was later injured last season, but when he’s healthy, he can really light up the stat sheet. He’s also 27 years old, which helps him fit in really well with an already youthful Chiefs receiving core and team. I think it would take a 1st or 2nd round draft pick and one of their existing wide receivers receiver like Skyy Moore, to help the Cowboys and Chiefs keep the trade fair and realistic.
Indianapolis Colts Offensive Tackle #72: Braden Smith
Colts RT Braden Smith (72) – Justin Casterline/Getty Images
For the past couple of years, the one strength the Colts have always had is a great offensive line. From players like former center Jeff Saturday to now players like right tackle Braden Smith who can consistently block well for running and passing plays. Braden Smith has been one of the long-time leaders of this Colts’ offensive line since he was drafted back in 2018.
He would fit well with the Chiefs since they also have a good offensive line but still are weak at the right tackle spot since Orlando Brown Jr. left for the Bengals this offseason. Another cool thing about Braden Smith is that this would be like a homecoming move for him if he came to the Chiefs because he was born in Olathe, KS, which is not far at all from Kansas City.
One thing I like about Braden Smith is that he is 6 feet 6 inches tall which is a height that will allow him to really block well for Mahomes. He kind of reminds me of a younger Mitchell Schwartz in his prime because of his size and long wingspan. I think he wouldn’t be as hard to get because of the way offensive linemen aren’t as highly valued as wide receivers or quarterbacks. I think trading a guy like an existing offensive lineman on the Chiefs like Andrew Wylie and a few early-round picks would probably get the trade done. This would also help the Colts get more picks for the rebuild they are going through.
Philadelphia Eagles WR #17: Quez Watkins
Eagles WR Quez Watkins – Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
For the last player I’d like to see the Chiefs trade for; it would have to be Quez Watkins. He is one of the young talented receivers on the Eagles team the Chiefs beat in the Super Bowl last season. He is coming off a career year last season in terms of touchdowns and yardage, with four touchdowns last season. Watkins is known for his blazing running speed, which is something the Chiefs have always been known to hold into account when looking for receivers since the coach Andy Reid joined the Chiefs in 2014.
I feel like if the Chiefs got Quez Watkins, he would have more time to shine than he did in Philly because the receiving core isn’t as deep in KC as in Philly. This will allow Quez to become more of a lead receiver for a team and work with Mahomes. With his speed, he will fit in perfectly in KC. The Chiefs could probably get him with a second-round pick and a third-round pick because of how deep the Eagles already are at wide receiver.
In my opinion, the Chiefs are still a contending team but I feel like if they make a move for one or a couple of these players I think they’ll be able to help the offense out as a whole.
