'A Lot Of Trades' Coming In First Round Of The NFL Draft

With the NFL Draft exactly a week away, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach delivered a message that should excite fans all over the country. During this Thursday's video conference, Veach said fans should expect to see a lot of trades during the opening round of the draft. He seems ...

by Chris Rosvoglou

Apr 16, 2026

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after intercepting the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

Ben Jackson/Getty Images

With the NFL Draft exactly a week away, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach delivered a message that should excite fans all over the country.

During this Thursday's video conference, Veach said fans should expect to see a lot of trades during the opening round of the draft. He seems confident about that since there aren't a handful of "franchise quarterbacks" available in this year's class.

"I think it should be an entertaining night. There will probably be a lot of trades," Veach said, via Pro Football Talk. "And I think that’s what a draft like this — when you don’t have two or three franchise quarterbacks — I think it does lend itself to [opening] up to a lot of fun and a lot of excitement. So, I think from a fan’s perspective, they should have a lot of fun next Thursday."

Veach said the trade market could be active since there isn't a "huge gap" in talent for most prospects.

"The grades are going to be so close from some of these tackles, D-ends, and other positions — receivers — that a lot of those guys that are mocked high may go a little lower and a lot of these guys that are getting mocked lower may go a little higher because I think they’re so close this year," Veach added.

January 7, 2026; The 2026 NFL Draft logo is displayed atop the NFL Draft countdown clock.

Expect the Dallas Cowboys to be busy.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported this week that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys could trade up on Day 1 of the draft.

Interestingly enough, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the Cowboys trading up to draft Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.

“Dallas wasn’t stopping anyone last season. It allowed 6.1 yards per play, second worst in the NFL. It allowed 30.1 points per game, worst in the NFL. And it was far and away the league’s least effective defense by EPA,” Kiper wrote. “We’ve all wondered whether the Cowboys would use both of their first-round picks on defense this month, but this trade up the board might have a greater impact, even if it means sacrificing one of those Day 1 selections. Styles is my No. 4 prospect, and he is explosive (43½-inch vertical jump), rangy (4.46 in the 40-yard dash) and productive (77 tackles last season).”

We can't wait to see how the NFL Draft plays out.