The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to find trade partners in recent seasons, but it certainly feels like this trade has a chance to be the next masterclass for GM Brett Veach.
Much to the surprise of Chiefs Kingdom, when the team traded up to select WR Xavier Worthy in the first round, their trade partner was one of their biggest conference rivals. Even more surprising: The Chiefs didn't have to surrender a draft pick to make it happen. They still have six total picks remaining in the 2024 NFL draft.
Grading the Chiefs-Bills trade
Chiefs Grade: A-
The Buffalo Bills sent K.C. pick No. 28 (Worthy), pick No. 133 (fourth), and pick 248 (seventh). In return, Buffalo received pick No. 32, pick No. 95 (third), and pick No. 221 (seventh). Essentially, the Chiefs moved down 38 slots from their original third-round pick and 27 slots from their seventh-round pick to acquire Worthy.
So, what exactly were the Bills thinking when they decided to trade with Kansas City?
"If we don't trade with them, someone else can (trade with them) to get whatever player they're targeting," Bills GM Brandon Beane told reporters. "To me, it has got to make sense for us."
Ultimately they thought it was the best deal on the table for them.
"We had other opportunities," Beane said. "I would say that was the best deal."
Beane said they got no assurances from the Chiefs on who they wanted to pick at that slot. But they didn't care so much about that as they did acquiring more picks in the draft. As for K.C., their options to move up have been limited and they understood exactly where the Bills were coming from.
"We were trying to move around a bit last year and it was tough," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said. "Buffalo, they have a plan. They have pretty smart guys up there. They have their own plan and were willing to do something. I appreciate that."
“I think everyone goes into the process with their own list of priorities of what they want to do and what they want to accomplish, and every team constructs their team a little bit differently," Chiefs GM Brett Veach said. "We were on our own agenda, and we saw value there – again, moving 38 spots for a guy that we think will be a great addition to our team especially with the special teams value that he adds, (that) was something we really factored in.”
We still have to see how that plan turns out for the Bills as they traded back with the Panthers with the Chiefs' pick at No. 32. Ultimately, the success of this trade will be decided on the gridiron. If Worthy helps the Chiefs get past Buffalo in the playoffs once again, the Bills Mafia might be calling for Beane's head.
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