ESPN NFL Insiders expect Kansas City Chiefs to be active in the trade market, naming several potential targets
Will the Kansas City Chiefs be active in the NFL trade market ahead of this year’s deadline?
We’re still over a month away from the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, November 4th, at 4:00 p.m. ET, but that doesn’t mean teams across the league haven’t already begun working behind the scenes on some trades. Just yesterday, the Titans sent CB Jarvis Brownlee to the Jets in a trade, which could open the floodgates.
In a new column, ESPN NFL Insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano discussed which teams need to be most active in the trade market. Needless to say, after a 1-2 start to the 2025 NFL season, the Chiefs’ name came up in the discussion multiple times. While they mistakenly didn’t mention Kansas City as a team that could trade away some pieces, they did name several potential targets that Chiefs GM Brett Veach could seek to acquire in a trade.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler names a Miami Dolphins running back as a target for Kansas City
I’ve heard names like De’Von Achane, Breece Hall, and Alvin Kamara come up for the Chiefs quite a bit when discussing running back targets, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has his eyes set on another Dolphins running back. Fowler is correct in saying the Chiefs need help at running back, even after an improved performance against the New York Giants in Week 3.
“The Chiefs also need a lift on offense. Luckily for them, receivers Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (suspension) will return to the lineup before the deadline. Those two, Hollywood Brown and the resurgent Tyquan Thornton might be enough. But the running game still needs help. Miami isn’t playing running back Jaylen Wright, who had a lot of fans in the 2024 draft. It might be worth a call for Kansas City.” – ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler
A former 2024 NFL Draft pick out of Tennessee, Jaylen Wright, appeared in 15 games for Miami last season. He carried the ball 68 times for 249 yards and caught three passes for eight yards. He hasn’t appeared in a single game this season, with Dolphins rookie RB Ollie Gordon getting opportunities to play.
I’m not sure how willing Miami would be to part ways with a running back in the second year of his rookie deal, especially considering Achane’s injury history and the upcoming contract. However, this is precisely the type of running back that makes sense for Kansas City, given that he has multiple years of team control. Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, and Elijah Mitchell are each free agents in March of 2026.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks the Chiefs could get involved if “the right impact receiver” becomes available
The New Orleans Saints are one of the league’s 0-3 teams, and they don’t seem particularly poised to turn things around. Could they ship off players like Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave? What about the Tennessee Titans, who have found the franchise quarterback in Cam Ward, but not much else. Could they ship off Calvin Ridley? Those are the questions that ESPN’s Dan Graziano is asking.
“The Saints don’t look as if they’re going anywhere this season, and they have Rashid Shaheed on an expiring contract and Chris Olave with one year (his fifth-year option) left on his deal. Would their new coaching staff make either or both of those players available? Could Calvin Ridley, who has struggled along with the rest of the offense in Tennessee, use a change of scenery? I don’t think we can rule out teams such as Buffalo, Kansas City, Green Bay and/or San Francisco if the right impact receiver becomes available.” – ESPN’s Dan Graziano
If the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers are the competition, Kansas City might be a tough sell for any receiver looking for a new home. Those teams have many more targets to go around.
Expert analysis on Jaylen Wright and Chris Olave as Chiefs trade targets
- Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright: There’s no denying that the Chiefs need to get better at the running back position, but there’s a reason that Wright isn’t playing for the Dolphins. De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II have both proven to be better players at this juncture. Maybe Wright needs a chance, but I’d caution against giving up significant draft assets to acquire a player who averaged just 3.7 yards per carry a season ago. The value lies in the multiple years of team control, rather than his potential contribution in 2025.
- Saints’ Chris Olave & Rashid Shaheed OR Titans’ Calvin Ridley: I’d be shocked if the Chiefs found themselves in the market for a wide receiver, sans Xavier Worthy reinjuring himself upon returning from his torn labrum and shoulder dislocation. Jalen Royals will eventually get up to speed and have a role in Kansas City, but we’re also just three weeks away from the return of Rashee Rice. He’s not a receiver, but the Chiefs also have rookie TE Jake Briningstool eligible to return after Week 4. Before we know it, the Chiefs will have more pass-catchers than they know what to do with.