2026 NFL Draft trades we want to see: Chiefs jump into top five, A.J. Brown finds a new home

The 2026 NFL Draft is a week away (April 23-25 in Pittsburgh), and a fascinating subplot is often the wheeling and dealing that goes on behind the scenes.

Over the past four years, teams have executed an average of six Round 1 draft-day trades per draft, including a high of nine in 2022. Last year featured a modest four, but we could easily see an uptick this year.

Here are five trades we'd like to see next Thursday on opening night of the draft.

Kansas City Chiefs make aggressive move for elite defender

Arizona Cardinals receive: two 2026 first-round picks (No. 9, No. 29)
Chiefs receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 3)

Kansas City hasn't entered a draft with a top-10 pick since owning No. 1 overall in 2013. For a team that isn't often near the top of the order, the Chiefs should take advantage of their prime position at No. 9 with a push to acquire an immediate difference-maker at defensive end.

Arizona could use the extra first-round pick, possibly for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Meanwhile, Kansas City would have either David Bailey or Arvell Reese — whichever edge-rusher the New York Jets don't select at No. 2 — available for the taking.

Los Angeles Chargers trade for three-time Pro Bowler

New York Giants receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 22), 2027 second-round pick
Chargers receive: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence

Without any first-round-caliber defensive tackles in the 2026 class, the Chargers, who lost interior lineman Da'Shawn Hand in free agency, make Lawrence's wish come true after requesting a trade earlier this offseason. It wouldn't be the first time Jim and John Harbaugh exchanged players.

Considering the attention the three-time Pro Bowl selection receives — he faces double-teams at among the highest rates in the league, according to NFL Pro data — Lawrence, 28, is certainly worth a first and more. This package is close in shape to the one the Dallas Cowboys used to acquire four-time Pro Bowl interior lineman Quinnen Williams, also 28, at last season's trade deadline.

Jets add third first-round pick

Houston Texans receive: 2026 second-round pick (No. 33), 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 103)
Jets receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 28)

The Jets have an impressive stockpile of draft assets, including eight first- and second-round picks combined over the next two drafts. Per Pats Pulpit's Rich Hill's trade value chart, packaging the first pick of Round 2 and third pick on Day 3 would be reasonable for a five-spot leap while also scratching Texans general manager Nick Caserio's draft-day trade itch.

Depending on what New York does with its first two picks, it could go in any number of directions at No. 28. If it targets defenders early, a wideout such as Texas A&M's KC Concepcion or Washington's Denzel Boston, who SNY NFL insider Connor Hughes recently projected to land in New York in a seven-round mock draft, could be in play. Both have a strong likelihood of being available at No. 28 according to ESPN Analytics.

Miami Dolphins ensure QB Malik Willis has help

Chicago Bears receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 30), 2026 third-round pick (No. 90)
Dolphins receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 25)

Less than a month after signing Willis in free agency, the Dolphins traded his best wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle, to the Denver Broncos for the No. 30 overall pick. Instead of sitting on that pick and seeing who falls to it, Miami should send it and a third to move up five spots, putting it in better position to land a receiver. The Dolphins have four third-round picks, so they can afford to part with one, while the Bears, coming off an NFC North title, would have five top-100 picks.

New England Patriots end A.J. Brown saga

Philadelphia Eagles receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 31), 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 125)
Patriots receive: Wide receiver A.J. Brown, 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 137 overall)

Can this wrap up? The "will they or won't they" saga between Brown and the Patriots possibly trading for him has gone on far too long. The draft would be a great — and fitting — time to put a bow on it. 

Philadelphia originally acquired Brown from the Tennessee Titans, coached at the time by Mike Vrabel, during the 2022 NFL Draft. Sending Brown to New England, which is entering its second season with Vrabel as head coach, for a first-round pick would allow all parties to move on. The Eagles are estimated in several mock drafts, including the most recent from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., The Athletic's Dane Brugler and NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, to address their offensive line at No. 23. Getting a second first-rounder would allow them possibly land an edge-rusher to replace Jaelan Phillips' production, with Missouri's Zion Young or Auburn's Keldric Faulk options should either fall to the end of the round.