Chiefs Eyeing Blockbuster NFL Draft Trade to Target Pass Rusher David Bailey

ESPN suggests Kansas City could leverage extra picks to move up and land the Texas Tech star.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:27pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football player in a pass rushing stance, with the player's body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the colors of the Kansas City Chiefs.An aggressive trade-up move could allow the Chiefs to land a premier pass rusher like David Bailey in the 2026 NFL Draft.Kansas City Today

With the No. 9 and No. 29 overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have more draft ammunition than usual. ESPN's Bill Barnwell argues the team should consider a bold trade up to target Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey, who is projected as a top-5 pick after a dominant final college season.

Why it matters

The Chiefs haven't had a top-10 pick since 2017, when they traded up to select Patrick Mahomes. With extra draft capital from a recent trade, they now have the flexibility to be aggressive and target a premium pass-rushing prospect like Bailey, who could provide an immediate boost to their defense.

The details

In his final college season, Bailey recorded 52 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and a nation-leading 14.5 sacks, earning Unanimous All-American and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors. Most mock drafts project Bailey to be selected in the top 5 picks, so the Chiefs would likely need to trade up from No. 9 overall to have a chance at landing him.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April.

The players

David Bailey

A pass rusher from Texas Tech University who is projected to be a top-5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after a dominant senior season.

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who the team traded up to select with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Brett Veach

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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What they’re saying

“At No. 9, the Chiefs could stay put and hope that one of those players at premium positions like wide receiver or edge rusher fall to them. Armed with extra draft capital from the Trent McDuffie trade, though, this might be an opportunity for general manager Brett Veach to go big.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

“I wouldn't want to sacrifice that No. 29 pick altogether, but if the Chiefs can use that along with No. 9 to move up and then land another Day 2 pick as part of a deal, it might give them a chance at the sort of pass-rushing prospect they wouldn't normally see at the bottom of Round 1, such as Texas Tech's David Bailey.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Chiefs will need to evaluate their options and determine if a trade up for David Bailey is the best use of their draft capital. The 2026 NFL Draft order and trade market will become clearer as the event approaches.

The takeaway

The Chiefs have a rare opportunity to be aggressive in the 2026 NFL Draft, with the No. 9 and No. 29 overall picks giving them the flexibility to potentially trade up for a premium pass-rushing prospect like David Bailey. This move could provide a major boost to their defense, but they'll have to weigh the cost of such a trade-up against other roster needs.