NFL Draft week is finally here, with festivities kicking off Thursday in Pittsburgh. The fireworks began early (continued?) with another trade Saturday shaking up the top of the draft with the New York Giants acquring the No. 10 overall pick in exchange for Dexter Lawrence. Armed with two first-round picks, John Harbaugh and Co. are poised to dictate the night early and leave other teams to react.
In this mock, it's another team taking the bull by the horns and making two separate trades up to set themselves up for a return to the playoffs: the Kansas City Chiefs. The perennial Super Bowl contender is picking in the top 10 for the first time since trading up to land Patrick Mahomes at No. 10 overall in 2017, and if their first pick comes in higher than that slot, it'll be the highest they've drafted since taking Eric Fisher first overall in 2013.
With the Arizona Cardinals appearing to be a clear trade-down candidate at No. 3 before potentially adding an offensive lineman, the Chiefs package Nos. 9, 29, 148 and a 2027 second-round pick to get in position for a true blue-chip talent to add to their championship core. The price comes very close to meeting the established value of the third pick on my trade chart updated yearly to account for recent trades, and the quantity of picks, the ability to land a selection in a more highly rated class in 2027 and Arizona's team needs make the slightly undervalued return worth it.
After surrendering the No. 29 pick, the Chiefs then trade back into the first round with a Seattle Seahawks team short on picks and running backs worth the No. 32 pick, with Kansas City sending Nos. 40, 74 and 169 while getting back No. 96 in addition to the last pick of the first round. With the two acquired picks, the Chiefs land two potential difference-makers on the defensive side of the ball.
One more mock trade populates our full look at the first round, with the Lions sending Nos. 17, 50 and a 2027 third-round pick for Nos. 13 and 61 in order to grab a much-needed offensive line talent. Let's get into those picks below.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. You can find more draft coverage at CBSSports.com, including weekly mock drafts and regular evaluations of the top prospects.