The Kansas City Chiefs traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes at No. 10. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

This team was beaten to the punch by the Chiefs for Patrick Mahomes in 2017

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 4/18/20

We know how one decision and one draft pick can change the entire landscape of the National Football League.

The New England Patriots’ decision to select Tom Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft is the most-notable example. He went on to win six Super Bowls (and counting).

However, something that happened (or didn’t happen) three years ago could have wide-ranging ramifications on the future of the NFL.

In 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs moved up to the 10th selection, trading with the Buffalo Bills, to land strong-armed quarterback prospect Patrick Mahomes.

Seen as a project at the time, the Texas Tech product took over the NFL after sitting for the vast majority of his rookie season. Mahomes is coming off a record-breaking two-year run with the Chiefs that culminated in him earning MVP honors and leading Kansas City to a comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

But what if another team was able to jump Kansas City for the ability to draft Mahomes?

NFL insider Matt Miller from Bleacher Report detailed this recently. He noted the Houston Texans had Mahomes as the top quarterback on their board leading up to the 2017 draft.

Houston was unable to move up for Mahomes. Instead, the Texans settled on a trade up with the Cleveland Browns for QB Deshaun Watson.

According to B/R's @nfldraftscout, the Chiefs weren't the only team trying to trade up for Patrick Mahomes in 2017 #NFLReDraft

(via @sticktofootball) pic.twitter.com/dnIr5WVWD6
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 18, 2020

This is something else right here: The fortune of two franchises changing on a dime. Two young quarterbacks who entered the NFL the same year doing battle as conference rivals.

It’s not that Watson has proven to be a bust. Quite the opposite. He, too, is coming off a tremendous 2019 season that culminated in a playoff loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs. And Watson could one day be a Super Bowl champion.

Though the optics are different when it comes to these two quarterbacks and their current teams.

Mahomes enjoys a great relationship with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Meanwhile, Texans head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien has been on the receiving end of a ton of criticism in recent months. That includes from at least one former Texans player.

As Mahomes aims for a record-breaking contract at some point this offseason, rumors persist that Watson is not happy in Texas and could be dealt.

Just imagine how different things could have turned out if Houston was able to jump Kansas City and get Mahomes with the ninth pick.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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