You won't believe what ESPN projects Patrick Mahomes is worth in trade

The Kansas City Chiefs aren't going to place Patrick Mahomes on the trade block. However, what would they receive for the superstar quarterback if they did?

ESPN's Bill Barnwell aimed to answer that question in a story published Wednesday. The analyst structured NFL contracts like those in the NBA, which have far more blockbuster trades. He also eliminated a rule that allows teams to trade for picks only within the next three draft cycles.   

Barnwell then determined players who could land at least one first-round pick in a trade from each team. Mahomes would fetch seven first-rounders, the most in the league. 

This further illustrates how the three-time Super Bowl champion has separated himself from other elite QBs.

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, 2024 league MVP, would be worth five first-round picks. It would cost four first-rounders for Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. It would take four first-rounders and more to land Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow.

"[Mahomes] has been a walking trip to the AFC Championship Game and has taken the Chiefs to five Super Bowls in seven seasons as a starter," wrote Barnwell. "He could do this for another decade if not longer." 

Mahomes, who turns 30 on Sept. 17, is still in his prime and hasn't had durability issues throughout his career. He has missed just two regular-season games because of injury. These came during the 2019 season when he dislocated his right kneecap.

With that in mind, he should keep adding to his Hall of Fame-worthy résumé. The Chiefs star is expected to contend for his third MVP this season. As of Wednesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives Mahomes the fourth-best odds (+650) to win the award, behind Burrow, Allen and Jackson.

Barnwell's exercise should make the Chiefs feel even luckier. They have the league's most coveted player.

"If any team actually had a shot at acquiring him, no star player or draft pick would be off the table," wrote Barnwell. "Mahomes is on a different level than anybody else, even his fellow top quarterbacks."