The 2026 NFL Draft has officially wrapped up, and while all eyes are on the fresh faces joining the league, it's also the perfect time to revisit some key trades from the past. One that stands out for New England Patriots fans is the deal that sent edge rusher Joshua Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now that the final compensation is in, let's break down exactly what the Patriots got in return.
It feels like ages ago, but the Uche trade actually included a 2026 draft pick—a detail that often gets overlooked. The Patriots originally selected Uche in the second round of the 2020 draft, and during his first four seasons, he flashed serious pass-rushing potential. With 18.5 combined sacks and two forced fumbles on his rookie deal, New England brought him back on a one-year, $3 million free agency contract. But just seven months and two more quarterback takedowns later, he was shipped to Kansas City.
Uche's best season in a Patriots uniform came in 2022, when he racked up 11.5 sacks as a disruptive force opposite Pro Bowler Matthew Judon. In total, he appeared in 59 regular-season and playoff games for New England before the trade.
Because the Chiefs finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 6-11 record, the pick the Patriots received landed at No. 191 overall. However, New England didn't stay put—they traded down with the Jacksonville Jaguars, netting picks 196 and 245. Those selections turned into offensive tackle Donovan Crownover and running back Keegan Miller.
Both players project as backup options for the Patriots in 2026. Crownover will compete for the fourth tackle spot behind the top trio of Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, and first-round rookie Caleb Lomu. Miller, meanwhile, will battle with Lan Larison, Terrell Jennings, and undrafted free agent Myles Montgomery for the right to back up Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
As for Uche, after the trade he suited up for six games with the Chiefs in 2024 but registered just one sack. While his time in Kansas City didn't produce the fireworks many expected, the Patriots ultimately turned his departure into two young players who could contribute down the road. For a team always looking to build through the draft, that's a solid return on investment.