With OTAs and mandatory minicamps marking the stage of the NFL offseason when there is more speculation than news to cover, ESPN fit the bill with a simulation of the current trade market, featuring two offers that involve the Kansas City Chiefs sending a draft pick for a player that fits a position of need.
Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Solak’s offer:
Bears get: 2027 third-round pick
Chiefs get: Kmet, 2027 fifth-round pickWhy this deal makes sense: This is a strong offer, but Kansas City likely has the biggest
tight end need in the league. Travis Kelce plays much more slot receiver than true tight end, while Noah Gray and Jared Wiley have not moved the needle behind him. As the Chiefs commit to a better rushing attack, they need skill position players who can block. Kmet can reconnect with coordinator Eric Bieniemy and adds a much-needed dimension as a traditional Y tight end.
Kansas City Chiefs
Ben Solak’s offer:
Giants get: 2027 fourth-round pick
Chiefs get: ThibodeauxWhy this deal makes sense: In recent drafts, the Chiefs have been dumping picks into edge rusher to find more juice: 2023 first-rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah, 2025 third-rounder Ashton Gillotte and 2026 second-rounder R Mason Thomas. Why not add one more dart throw in Thibodeaux, who can fill a designated pass-rush role while Gillotte takes more early-down work?
The Chiefs do have an extra third-rounder next year as a result of the Trent McDuffie trade, but I don’t think the Giants will be able to wrench a Day 2 pick from anyone for Thibodeaux, who has been only a rotational player to this point in his career.
My take
The first offer addresses the pass-catching unit in the Chiefs’ offense, just not in the way most rumors suggest. Solak simulates a trade for the Chicago Bears’ tight end Cole Kmet instead of targeting a wide receiver.
The lack of effort to improve the tight end position this offseason is an underrated hole in the organization’s plan to weaponize the run game. When looking across the league, especially looking at the teams ahead of the curve in scheme, it feels closer to a necessity than a luxury to have strong depth behind a star tight end like Travis Kelce.
One of the most important factors in achieving a more effective, well-respected rushing attack is having the threat of unpredictability on any given snap. Teams like the Los Angeles Rams value formations with two or three tight ends because the “heavier” personnel provides a blocking advantage compared to three-receiver sets without sacrificing eligible pass catchers in formation.
So the Rams invested in having quality depth, employing four tight ends who each surpassed 200 receiving yards and scored at least three times in 2025, a huge factor in quarterback Matthew Stafford’s MVP season and Los Angeles’ NFC Championship appearance.
So any experienced tight end would be a worthwhile addition, considering that Noah Gray is still the only proven player behind Kelce, and even then, that proof was absent for much of last season compared to the previous years.
The idea of trading for New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is not a new one, but it doesn’t seem to be fizzling out after recurring rumors all offseason and the selection of Ohio State outside linebacker Arvell Reese in this year’s draft. As a former fifth-overall pick, Thibodeaux has underwhelmed for most of his career outside of an 11.5-sack season in his second year.
To me, it doesn’t feel like the type of addition the front office will prioritize over the options available in free agency. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has a track record of acquiring former first-round picks who didn’t live up to expectations initially. However, the team could really use the reliability that comes with seasoned veterans like free agents Cameron Jordan or Jadeveon Clowney.
Kansas City has prospects along the defensive line that give the unit a strong enough long-term outlook to avoid the risk of failing to revamp Thibodeaux’s career. The team is in need of short-term help, a snap-eating veteran that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo feels good about having on the field on first and second down before whatever else the player could bring to the table.
What do you think about the simulated trades? Is there another player to consider in a trade? Let us know in the comments.
