The Kansas City Chiefs are sending star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade that will have a significant impact on both teams' plans for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Rams are sending four picks to the Chiefs in the deal, including the No. 29 overall selection in the first round of this year's draft, and a third-rounder in 2027.
This deal leaves the Rams with one fewer first-round pick in 2026, but they still own the No. 13 selection from last year's draft-day deal with the Atlanta Falcons. It's the Chiefs who now have multiple first-rounders this year, adding that No. 29 overall pick to the top-10 selection they already own at No. 9 overall.
2026 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | Edge | Interior DL | LB | CB | S
How could this deal impact the first round of the 2026 draft?
Here's an updated look at how things could turn out:
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana
This feels like the only sure thing in this year's draft. The Raiders desperately need a franchise passer, and Mendoza is the only one in this year's class worthy of this spot.
2. New York Jets
Arvell Reese | Edge | Ohio State
Without a top QB on the board here, the Jets swing big on the upside Reese brings to the table, giving Aaron Glenn's defense a versatile, athletic weapon.
3. Arizona Cardinals
David Bailey | Edge | Texas Tech
I wouldn't count out an offensive tackle here, but reaching for the best on in this year's class over an elite edge rusher with rare explosiveness like Bailey would be risky.
4. Tennessee Titans
Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame
What better way to help out a young quarterback like Cam Ward than by teaming him up with arguably the best overall player in the entire draft?
5. New York Giants
Sonny Styles | LB | Ohio State
The Giants have multiple needs on both sides of the ball, so this pick has to be about pure talent and value, and nobody checks both boxes better than Styles.
6. Cleveland Browns
Francis Mauigoa | OT | Miami (FL)
The Browns may have to rebuild their entire offensive line this offseason, and landing a plug-and-play starter at right tackle like Mauigoa would be a fantastic addition.
7. Washington Commanders
Rueben Bain Jr. | Edge | Miami (FL)
Washington needs more playmakers on defense, and in this scenario, the best value comes in a well-rounded and dominant edge rusher in Bain.
8. New Orleans Saints
Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State
If the Saints want Tyler Shough to be successful as their long-term starter, pairing Chris Olave with another high-end target like Tate would be a wise move.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon
Patrick Mahomes needs more weapons, and Sadiq's rare athleticism would make him the ideal replacement for Travis Kelce.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Caleb Downs | S | Ohio State
Another defense that needs help all over the place, the Bengals would get a huge bargain if Downs were to fall all the way to this spot.
11. Miami Dolphins
Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU
It'll be an offseason of rebuilding for the Dolphins, and landing a true shutdown corner like Delane would be a valuable building block for the future.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee
This defense needs a ton of help, but finding a high-end corner like McCoy to fill the void left behind by Trevon Diggs' regression and departure would be ideal.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL)
Spencer Fano | OT | Utah
Following Rob Havenstein's retirement, the Rams could use a long-term solution at right tackle, and Fano has the athleticism and upside to be a Pro Bowler.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Makai Lemon | WR | USC
There are big needs on defense, but if the Ravens have the chance to give Lamar Jackson an explosive playmaker like Lemon, they might not be able to pass it up.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CJ Allen | LB | Georgia
The Bucs need to find a successor for future Hall of Famer Lavonte David, and Allen has the complete skill set and intangible qualities to be a worthy candidate.
16. New York Jets (from IND)
Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State
Whoever ends up playing quarterback for the Jets, they'll need another top-end receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson, and Tyson would be a solid match here.
17. Detroit Lions
Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia
Finding a successor for Taylor Decker at left tackle has to be a top priority for the Lions, and Freeling has the athleticism and toughness to be the ideal fit.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon
Future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith appears headed for retirement, so adding a versatile and athletic defender like Thieneman to take over his role would be a huge win.
19. Carolina Panthers
Keldric Faulk | Edge | Auburn
You can never have too many talented pass rushers, and Faulk's rare combination of size, athleticism and versatility gives him limitless potential at the next level.
20. Dallas Cowboys
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo
The rebuild of the secondary continues for Dallas, teaming up McCoy with a big, athletic playmaker for the back end of the defensive backfield in McNeil-Warren.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana
DK Metcalf was a huge win for the Steelers last year, but they need an upgrade at the WR2 spot, and Cooper's complete skill set and physical style of play would be the perfect fit.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Vega Ioane | OL | Penn State
Protecting Justin Herbert has to be the Chargers' top priority, and with both tackles back from injury, landing this year's top guard prospect in Ioane would be the best move.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson
The Eagles don't mind undersized prospects who can play at a high level, and Terrell has the toughness, technique and ball skills to transcend his smaller frame.
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX)
Denzel Boston | WR | Washington
The Browns need an upgrade over Jerry Jeudy at the top of their wide receiver group, and Boston's combination of size and athleticism makes him a go-to target in every situation.
25. Chicago Bears
Peter Woods | DL | Clemson
Finding more impact players in the defensive trenches is a top priority for the Bears, and Woods has rare explosiveness and athleticism for his size.
26. Buffalo Bills
Akheem Mesidor | Edge | Miami (FL)
Buffalo needs a high-impact edge rusher who can get after the quarterback on a regular basis, and few did it better in college football last season than Mesidor.
27. San Francisco 49ers
Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah
The 49ers need to find an eventual successor for future Hall of Famer Trent Williams at left tackle, and Lomu has all the traits to be a quality starter.
28. Houston Texans
Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama
Houston has to improve C.J. Stroud's protection if they want to go deeper into the postseason, and Proctor's rare physical traits give him unlimited potential.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR)
Caleb Banks | DL | Florida
After adding this extra first-rounder, the Chiefs can plan for the future along the defensive line with Banks, who could develop into the next version of Chris Jones.
30. Denver Broncos
KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M
Finding Bo Nix as many weapons as possible has to be Denver's top task this offseason, and Concepcion is an explosive playmaker, both down the field and after the catch.
31. New England Patriots
T.J. Parker | Edge | Clemson
Mike Vrabel's defense needs a ton of help, and finding a high-end edge rusher like Parker who can make an impact on all three downs would be ideal.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Lee Hunter | DL | Texas Tech
It's unfair to make this defense even better, but lining up Hunter next to Byron Murphy II would ensure the Seahawks remain one of the league's most dominant units.